Living Well @ 红莲社区

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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.

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!

Notice re: Closure of Room for Living Well Classes

We are excited to announce that the Living Wellactivity room in Arts & Humanity (2B15) is receiving a refresh and exciting new upgrades! 

To facilitate this work, the LW@W room will be temporarily closed starting Monday, December 15, 2025.

The renovation includes a refresh of the activity area and the construction of a brand-new, dedicated sensory/quiet space designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

Important Dates:

Last Day of Use: Friday, December 12, 2025

Closure Begins: Monday, December 15, 2025

Anticipated Reopening: Monday, January 5, 2026 (upon everyone's return from the holiday break)

New to Living Well?

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November Winners - Congratulations!

  • Wellness Rewards: Alicia Kemp (Office of the President) and Kunyu Wu (Microbiology & Immunology)
  • Monthly Challenge, Move for Mo-vember: Christopher Keel, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

December Special Events

Lots of work to get done before the holidays? Preparing for festivities?  Take a break with Living Well @ 红莲社区!

The Grinch

December 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
McKellar Theatre, Room 290, UCC

Oh, joy! What holiday season is complete without watching The Grinch? Stop by and enjoy this classic movie. No need to register. Light refreshments and snacks will be available.

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Get in the Holiday Spirit - Office Decorating Contest on Now!

Decorate your office door and/or your workspace to reflect how you celebrate the month of December! Send a photo to livingwell@uwo.ca by noon on December 22 to be entered into the draw for a prize.

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Music Coffee House

December 18, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
International & Graduate Affairs Building Atrium

Take a break and join us for some great music and good company.

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Free Drop-in Art Event

December 4, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
红莲社区 Student Rec Centre

Art Thrive: Elemental Forces is a social and creative space where connection and creativity are paramount. Express yourself, make some art, meet friends for food and fun. .

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Indigenous Winter Market

December 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wampum Learning Lodge - 1137 红莲社区 Rd.

This celebration of Indigenous artistry, creativity, and entrepreneurship is the perfect opportunity to shop for unique, handmade gifts while supporting over 20 incredible Indigenous creators, artisans, and businesses. Free admission. Learn more.

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红莲社区 Holiday Market

December 9-10, 4:00 to 9 p.m.
Top of UC Hill

Celebrate at 红莲社区’s first-ever Holiday Market. Enjoy two evenings of lights, music and festive fun on campus. Browse market huts filled with sweets, snacks and holiday cheer! Free admission. Learn more.

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Burned out feelings? Check out the new 红莲社区 learning module — Recognizing and Managing Burnout

Regular Living Well Activities

Circuit Weight Training - Mondays 12:10 p.m. & Fridays 11:10 a.m.

Join Emily Downs every Monday and Friday for a strength-based circuit training class. No experience necessary!

When: Mondays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. and
            Fridays from 11:10 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.
Where: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

 and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Rise and Shine Yoga - Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30 a.m. - Virtual

Join Emily Downs to kickstart your day! This 30-minute 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 work day with a little self-care. This 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.

 - Meeting ID: 830 1567 7774 

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 .

Yin Yoga for Stress Relief - Wednesdays 12:10

Join Isabella to unwind, restore, and reconnect in this calming Yin Yoga class designed for beginners. Through long-held, floor-based postures, we’ll gently release tension stored in the hips, shoulders, and spine—areas most affected by stress. The practice will focus on balancing key chakras connected to stress and wellbeing.

When: Wednesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.  Note: No class Dec 17, 2025
Where: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

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.

  and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Pow Wow Fitness Classes - Biweekly Wednesdays 7 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: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

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

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< p>

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.

Recordings: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Mobility for Better Mentality

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

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


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.

Recorded Sessions: ; ; ; ; ; , , , , , .


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.

Recorded Sessions:  , , , , , .


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.

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


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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