WAwellness2025

Did you know that getting thoughts out of your head and down onto paper is an extremely effective way to relieve stress and anxiety?  It’s a great mindfulness activity that can help you process thoughts/emotions, track moods and de-clutter your mind, improving time management skills.  This informational and hands on workshop will also provide an opportunity for you to create your own personalized bullet journal. 

Come learn about the ancient art of Henna, also known as Mehendi, a beautiful and ancient form of body decoration that can provide a holistic experience for both body and mind. The process of applying henna (which contains healing properties) allows individuals to concentrate deeply and the calming rhythm of the application, coupled with the satisfying emergence of a beautiful pattern, serves to reduce stress and promote relaxation.   As we delve deeper into this fascinating art form, we uncover its potential for mindfulness, and meditative peace.  You will have a chance to experience a henna application and receive a take home kit so you can practice your own designs.

Elite athletes are thought to be untouchable when it comes to their physical health and are famous for their amazing feats of endurance, strength and mental fortitude.  In reality, it’s not easy to be constantly in the spotlight, pushing your body to the limit and  trying to live up to the enormous pressure to perform, factors which can negatively impact psychological well being.   In addition, when athletes step away through retirement, family obligations, injury, etc. the task of redefining their identity can be daunting.   This workshop will examine the connection between high level sports performance and mental health, highlighting athletes who are standing up and speaking out, moving the conversation beyond the stigma often associated with mental health.

Video games have been popular since the early 1970’s but how we play those games has evolved over time. Today, we have access to video and online games 24/7 on multiple devices. E-sports is the fastest growing sport in the world.  Gaming has the potential to consume a large amount of our time. It also can be a great way to connect and de-stress. So are video games HELPFUL or HARMFUL? It’s actually a difficult question to answer and even the experts disagree.  This workshop examines the helpful and harmful impact of video games. Learn more about how gaming affects the brain, how it may help your blood pressure and determine whether you have a healthy relationship with your video games!

In this workshop you will join Umar Arrastia from the Jibreel Group to learn real and practical techniques to protect yourself in any situation.  This team of former military service members and law enforcement officers have decades of experience in martial arts and combat training and can give you skills and confidence to improve your safety.  

This is an experience in which you will be immersed in deep sound vibrations in specific tones and frequencies designed to heal your body. Rooted in the idea that these frequencies correspond to specific energy centers involving Chakras or Chi the sounds help to resolve imbalances. Benefits can include decreased stress, pain relief, improved sleep and mood, muscle relaxation and a greater sense of calm.

Join Jeff Oliver, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach from Holy Cross and former NFL player, to discuss tips and tricks for getting the most out of your performance. Learn how food impacts hormones and interacts with other factors such as stress, sleep and alcohol to impede or enhance your success. Discover simple guidelines for pre and post workout routines which can help you avoid injury, assist recovery and fuel your mind and body.

Did you know that tea has many hidden health benefits?  It contains minerals and antioxidants which can help boost your immune system, improve sleep, reduce pain and inflammation and lower cholesterol.  It can also be used as a mindfulness activity to help turn ordinary and mundane tasks into moments that help you reset and move forward in your day with more purpose and clarity. This workshop will explore how to turn the simple act of making a cup of tea into a responsive and experimental ritual. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to prepare and taste a variety of black, oolong, assam, green, chai, and white teas using a variety of methods including gongfu and infusion. 

This is an experiential workshop involving "doodle" drawing as an artistic form of meditation. An easy to learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns using miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract art. No art experience is necessary! Zentangles promote creativity, focus and well being for all ages. 

Expressive arts are a wonderful way to calm your mind and body, boosting confidence and increasing your ability to cope with stressors.  Engaging in these types of activities can have powerful, long lasting positive effects on our health.  Zuihitsu is an ancient Japanese literary form known as “running brush” which offers unique opportunities to relax and see where your pen will take you. In this workshop you will have an opportunity to create a draft of your own poetic masterpiece!