Living Well @ 红莲社区

Winter Wellness 2026

Wellness Events Calendar

红莲社区's Events Calendar has a full list of campus activities or download our Living Well monthly PDF calendar.


Be a Wellness Champion!

Join our network of Champions to  bring the best wellness programming to your department.

Food image: Seksak Kerdkanno (Vecteezy)

About Living Well @ 红莲社区

Living Well @ 红莲社区 provides free wellness activities that span the seven domains of wellness, intended to maintain and improve employee well-being. Come join us!

New to Living Well?

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April Challenge - Hydration

We know that keeping hydrated is one of those things should be doing, but often, it's not top of mind. We hope our April Hydration Challenge will help you boost your fluid intake gradually over a period of the month (including at work) and give you the opportunity to experience the associated health benefits. The focus is on water, but other healthy fluids such as no-added-sugar drinks, low fat milk or herbal teas also count towards daily fluid intake.

Read more about hydration benefits and how to take part in the challenge

Good news!  We've got a new way to submit your monthly challenge info, online:
 or
Email your completed calendar to livingwell@uwo.ca. Deadline is 12 noon on April 29, 2026.

April Special Events 

Eating Plan for Stress Management - Webinar

April 15, 2026 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Laura Nguyen of Telus Health offers some practical strategies to improve your diet, balance blood sugar, and stay resilient during challenging times. This session is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their mental and physical well-being through simple, effective changes to eating habits.

 
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How to Start Saving Today

April 21, 2026 at 9 to 10:00 p.m.

Many Canadians know the importance of money management, especially in these turbulent times. For many who may be struggling with debt, saving for the future can be difficult. This webinar, presented by Sun Life, focuses on understanding credit and savings essentials. It covers debt management and explores the age-old question of whether buying or renting might be right for you.

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Campus Clean & Green

April 10, 2026, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Graduate Square

红莲社区 Sustainability invites you to take part in Campus Clean & Green, a quick and meaningful way to help care for the green spaces we all enjoy at 红莲社区.

Even 20 minutes of clean‑up during Green Month can make a big difference when we all pitch in.

Details, a map and registration link are on the Events Calendar
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Mindful Mondays at McIntosh Gallery - One Monday every month

Art inspires calm. Slow down, relax, and reconnect with yourself in this guided mindfulness experience.
 
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The April Wellness Challenge

It's all about HYDRATION!  Coming soon. 

Last Month's Winners – Congratulations!

March Winners — Congratulations to March Wellness Rewards winners Brett Wierjes, Office of the Registrar and Grace Yau, Faculty of Science. 

Learn more about our Rewards program

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Regular Living Well Activities

Circuit Weight Training - Mondays 12:10 p.m.

Join Michelle every Monday for a strength-based circuit training class. No experience necessary!

When: Mondays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Rise & Shine Yoga is Back - Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.

Join Jamie to kickstart your day! This moving meditation is a choreography of breath and movement to help focus the mind on the present moment and improve mobility as well as enhance concentration. Ease yourself into the workday with a little self-care. This 30-min class is available virtually so that individuals can join in from home, alone or with loved ones. Participants should feel free to keep their cameras off or on throughout!

When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. - Virtual

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Yoga with Tracy - Tuesdays 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.

Join Tracy Ishmael in her weekly yoga class! This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste. Please bring your own yoga mat.

When: Tuesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Zen Meditation Sitting - Tuesdays 2 p.m.

Please join us for Zen Meditation, where we will practice "Just Sitting" meditation. This silent seated meditation involves focusing on your breath and allowing thoughts to come and go. We provide chairs, yoga Where mats, and meditation cushions. You are welcome to bring your own.

When: Tuesdays from 2:00 to 2:20 p.m.
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

 and be sure to .

Pow Wow Fitness Classes - Biweekly Wednesdays 6 p.m.

Hosted at the Wampum Learning Lodge by Lisa Hill (Oneida Nation of the Thames) from , this movement and fitness class is Lisa's most popular offering! The focus is on increasing our heart rate while getting in a full-body workout. We move our bodies and spirits, marching to the beat of the Big Drum, incorporating steps and Zumba moves to get the energy flowing! Modifications to movements are offered to allow for all experience levels to get the most out of the session. This fitness class is open to ALL, so bring your friends! No equipment needed besides a pair of shoes.

Parking passes and LTC bus tickets are available at the reception desk for all attendees.

When: Bi-weekly Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. () 
Where: Wampum Learning Lodge

This class is beginner-friendly, deeply relaxing, and an invitation to slow down, reset, and leave with a lighter heart and clearer mind. No prior yoga experience needed. All are welcome.

Gentle Mindful Movements/Chair Yoga - Wednesdays 2:45 p.m.

Join Emily Downs, wellness instructor for a virtual 15-minute wellness break. The break will be either a chair yoga or a meditation break.

When: Wednesdays from 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points

Pilates - Wednesdays 12:10 p.m.

Pilates is a mind-body practice that links breath and movement to help you feel stronger, longer, and more at ease in your body. With an emphasis on core stability and controlled, thoughtful movement, you’ll build strength and mobility you can use in everyday life.

When: Wednesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: AHB 2B15

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points

Zumba - Thursdays 12:10 p.m.

Join a Certified Zumba instructor on Thursdays for a lunch time Zumba class. Open to all 红莲社区 employees.

When: Thursdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points

Wellness Walks - Thursday or Friday 11:00 a.m.

When: Every Thursday or Friday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Biological & Geological Sciences Building (BGS)

Take a break and get outside for some fresh air! Join Ben Souriol for an hour-long walk through the various trails and walking paths on campus. If you can't commit to the full hour, no problem! There are opportunities along the route to return back to the office.

Dress appropriately for the weather, as walks may continue through foul weather. Participants are encouraged to email Ben - bsouriol@uwo.ca - to be placed on a mailing list to confirm day, as well as in the event of a cancellation or time change.  This is a great way to explore campus, connect with nature, meet new colleagues and improve your overall well-being.


At Your Leisure

Previously Recorded Activities

Did you miss our special Introduction to Gut Health?

We recorded the Zoom presentation for you!  - Recorded January 19, 2024.

This presentation, from 红莲社区's on-campus dietitian looks at the benefits of gut health and its role in immunity. You'll also learn about the diversity diet for gut health, important lifestyle factors, and the role of prebiotics and probiotics. Our dietician Kelsey Russell-Murray, RD, MSc, BSC has worked as an inpatient hospital dietitian for the past decade, and is founder of Gut Healthy Dietitian Inc.


Introduction to Yoga

This 40-minute activity class with instructor Tracy focuses on breath control, mindfulness, and adopting specific postures to promote relaxation and improve the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Namaste.

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Mobility for Better Mentality

The class combines multiple methods of stretching and movement patterns to increase flexibility, stability, and improve pain management. 

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Yoga with Cassie

This activity class focuses on breath control, mindfulness, and adopting specific postures to promote relaxation and improve the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Namaste.

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Guided Meditation with Dr. J

Dr. Tanaz Javan will guide you through a set of techniques intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Take a well-deserved break to focus on your emotional and spiritual well-being.

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Zumba!

This high-energy aerobic fitness class features movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance. You are guaranteed to have fun while improving coordination, balance, strength, and heart health.

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Release, Restore, and Rest

Instructor Melissa Ostrowski will start with a meditation or embodiment practice, giving you the chance to release the day’s events, come back into your body and the present moment, and breathe. From there, we’ll move into 1 or 2 restorative yoga postures. We’ll hold these postures for 5 -10 minutes each, so having blankets and pillows handy can be really supportive. If you have yoga blocks or bolsters those work, but are not necessary. Finally, we’ll end with a delicious savasana. The goal is to leave the session feeling a little lighter, more grounded, and ready for a great night sleep. This is a great gift to give yourself at the end of the day.

Recorded Sessions:  , , ,  , , , , ,


Yoga with Melissa

This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste.

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FUN!ctional Fitness

Using her unique storytelling approach, instructor Ariana Crispin-Frei will focus on functional movement patterns such as squatting, hingeing, lunging, pushing, pulling, and twisting. By learning and engaging proper form in your workouts, you will reduce your risk of injury while performing everyday tasks - such as lunging to tie your shoe, squatting to lift a box, pulling a heavy door closed, or pushing it open. Plus, these types of movements use multiple muscles at once, so you are getting an effective and efficient workout while strengthening your body holistically. Come train with Ariana and let's put the "FUN" back in "functional". 

Recorded Sessions: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Pilates

This low-impact form of exercise with Instructor Jenny Goldberg aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. Pilates moves tend to target the core, but manages to engage muscles throughout the entire body!  

Recorded Sessions: , ,


10-Minute Wellness Break Videos

Previously Recorded Wellness Presentations and Activities

Art Workshops

  • Watercolour Painting -   Grab your supplies and join us for guided lessons that will tap into your artistic side!
  • Figure Drawing -
  • Landscape Painting - 
  • Abstract Techniques-  

红莲社区 Coffeehouse

Take a break, grab a warm beverage and enjoy music performed by talented 红莲社区 students. 

Previously Recorded Session: , , ,


Self-Compassion

Workshop delivered by Kelsey Sick and Vanessa Coulbeck, graduate students working under Dr. Eva Pila at the Body Image and Health Lab within the school of Kinesiology at 红莲社区.  .


Hygge: The Art of Creating Coziness

This session explores the Danish philosophy of Hygge and the benefits of creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Grab your favourite warm beverage, light a candle, grab a blanket and enjoy! Presentation delivered by Michelle from CHMA.

Interested in learning more? Visit the Huron Hygge for more information and opportunities.


Connecting with Environmental Wellness at 红莲社区

Jessica Cordes and Evan Green (Office of Sustainability) review past accomplishments, current and future initiatives and examine the various ways that employees can improve their environmental well-being and get involved at 红莲社区. 


Lifestyle Choices and Mental Health

Dr. Peter Lemon, Director of the Exercise Nutrition Research Laboratory at 红莲社区 highlights the connection between nutrition, physical activity and mental health,while providing practical tips to improve your well-being. .


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