Wellness Outreach Services
At Bowdoin, students are challenged to integrate all facets of themselves as they pursue their academic interests.
Our programs highlight the College’s commitment to developing a culture of self reflection, personal responsibility for physical health, comprehensive fitness opportunities and psychological and emotional balance. The health and happiness of each student are of paramount importance in the Bowdoin educational experience.
The Wellness Center offers an array of classes throughout the week. Seminars, workshops, and retreats are offered in the evenings and weekdays to educate students about a range of mind/body/spirit-oriented practices that include information about acupuncture, massage, reflexology, Chinese Medicine, and integrative medicine approaches to health and well-being.
Contact Kate Nicholson at knichols@bowdoin.edu for general information on Wellness programs.
WELLNESS WHEEL (image created by Nothando Khumalo '23)
Wellness Outreach Services - FALL 2022:
VINAYASA YOGA with MARIE '20
WEDNESDAYS 7:00 - 8:00pm, Buck 301
Sign-up in Campus Groups.
SPIN CYCLE with CHELSEA
THURSDAYS 7:00 - 8:00am, Buck 213
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YOGA for LIFE with VICTORIA
THURSDAYS 4:45 - 5:45pm, Buck 301
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SPIN CYCLE with LINDSEY
THURSDAYS 5:15 - 6:00pm, Buck 213
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BARRE FUSION with LINDSEY
THURSDAYS 6:15 - 7:15pm, Buck 301
Sign-up in Campus Groups.
ZUMBA with THANDO '23
THURSDAYS 8:00 - 9:00pm, Buck 213
Sign-up in Campus Groups.
VINAYASA YOGA FLOW with MAE
FRIDAYS 9:30 - 10:30am, Buck 301
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WEIGHTLIFTING with PAULA HABEL
FRIDAYS 11:15 - 12:00pm, Buck Basement
Sign-up in Campus Groups.
POWER 45 STRENGTH & CONDITIONING with GITTA
FRIDAYS 12:00 - 12:45pm, Buck 301
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Wellness Outreach Services - SPRING 2022:
STUDENT ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC
WEDNESDAYS starting February 16th, 11:00-1:00 PM. (24 College Garage)
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Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health. We use hairlike, thin needles that minimally felt and rarely painful. Students are usually surprised at how relaxing and enjoyable acupuncture feels. Why not give it a try? Mini sessions are ~ 20 minutes so stop in before or after lunch for a little reset!
STUDENT REIKI CLINIC
WEDNESDAYS starting February 16th, 4:00-6:00 PM. (24 College Garage)
Sign-up in Campus Groups.
Reiki is an energy healing technique that involves a Reiki master using gentle hand movements to guide the flow of healthy energy (what’s known in Reiki as “life force energy”) through the body to reduce stress and promote healing. According to a 2007 survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children in the United States received energy healing therapy like Reiki in the previous year, and Reiki is now used by a growing number of Americans to help with relaxation, anxiety, pain management, and depression, according to a study in the March–April 2017 issue of Holistic Nursing Practice. You may experience energy in the form of sensations like heat, tingling, pulsing or maybe not perceive anything obvious but just enjoy an overall feeling of relaxation and deep rest.
Students are invited into our reclining chairs for comfort. Music, aromatherapy, blankets and tea provided. Mini sessions last 20-25 minutes and are worth a try!
ART OF PATIENCE
February 25th at 3pm (BUCK 301)
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Meditation is a simple and powerful method to relax the mind, deal more effectively with stress, and develop insight into our habitual ways of thinking. This special event will explore the deeper meaning of one state of mind in particular: the art of being patient. Patience is not simply controlling our outward expression of frustration. Rather, it is an incredibly strong and creative state of mind that helps us build long-lasting and resilient relationships, keeps us healthy and relaxed even amid great disruption, and helps us resolve problems far more effectively. Gen Khedrub, a Western Buddhist monk for over 25 years, will explain how anyone can begin a practice of meditation on their own and learn to improve their practice of patience.
Open to students, faculty & staff in our community testing program.
CREATIVE HEALING: MESS AND MEANING-MAKING
SATURDAYS, March 5th and April 2nd, 12:00-2:00PM (Craft Barn)
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Join local artist, Elizabeth Walker, in the Craft Barn for some hands-on exploration into themes of meaning-making amidst the mess and planting inner seeds into unknown future. Different mediums used each time. Zero experience with art or crafting necessary. We will have fun, make a mess and meet some new people!
CENTERING & GROUNDING MEDITATION
MONDAYS 4:20-4:50 PM (BUCK 302 - Meditation Room)
Join us in the yoga studio 3rd floor Buck for a 15-minute meditation followed by 15 minutes of community connection if you'd like to linger. Kate Nicholson, asst. director of wellness, will hold space & we will use the Headspace APP to guide practice. Meditation cushions, seats, props are all provided. Help us kick off Mindful Mondays for the semester with opportunities to start your week off on the right foot. Perfect for brand new beginners and seasoned meditators alike. Masks are expected, of course, and there's plenty of room to spread out while still being in community.
Did you know that students can subscribe to the full-range of HEADSPACE APP (meditations, yoga, sleep support, etc.) for $9.99/year?? https://www.headspace.com/studentplan
Please sign up in Campus Groups (sign-up is private).
BODY KINDNESS - PEER FACILITATED SERIES
TUESDAYS 8 – 9 PM (24 College Living Room)
As an extension of the workshop series on bodies, food, eating and other stressors this fall, Skyler Spaulding ('24) will facilitate a 4-part series of reflection & discussion on how these issues manifest themselves at Bowdoin. Skyler is a certified Body Positive peer facilitator and will be using the book Body Kindness as reference for the series. Come to all 4 and deepen the conversation or drop-in whenever you can! We hope this series provides scaffolding for building out cultural shift around what it means to be embodied on campus. Questions? Email: Sspauldi@bowdoin.edu or Knichols@bowdoin.edu
Please sign up in Campus Groups (sign-up is private).
YOGA: ANXIOUS BODY, ANXIOUS MIND
TUESDAYS 4:15-5:15 PM (BUCK 301)
This class is designed to practice mindbody awareness through breath, movement and self-massage to skillfully ground and regulate feelings of anxiousness and overwhelm. This class is supportive for students who experience disrupted sleep, racing or scattered thoughts, tendencies to dissociate from the body and other manifestations of a busy, distracted mind and unsettled body. Together, we will practice integration and regulation through framework of yoga.
Please sign up in Campus Groups (sign-up is private).
PLANT MEDICINE MEDITATION & MINI WORKSHOPS
Throughout the year with plant enthusiast, Hayden Keene '23. (contact Hayden for more info: hkeene@bowdoin.edu)
MINDFULNESS OVER MATTER: MEDITATION BASICS
MONDAYS 9:00 - 10:00 PM (Yoga or Meditation Room, BUCK 301)
Student-led Meditation Group
MEDITATION FOR STAFF & FACULTY
MONDAYS 9:30 -10:00 AM (30 College, Great Room)
Start your week with a simple 15 min. guided meditation followed by option to stay for tea and fellowship. Bring travel mug to take tea with if you'd like. Various chairs, cushions and floor options for personal comfort level. Beginners welcome. Led by Eduardo Pazos Palma & Kate Nicholson.
