WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICE
Join us for weekly drop-in sessions to help you reconnect with your body, mind, and emotions. Learn techniques, including mindfulness and yoga, for increasing our capacity to be reflective, strengthen our resilience, and improve our relationships with others.
Offered every Thursday in the Fall, 12:10 - 12:50 pm from September 23 - December 9 (sessions will be held at 4:00 pm on Oct 7, Oct 28, and Nov 4); and every Tuesday in the Winter, 12:10 - 12:50 pm from January 11 - April 5 (no session during March Break, March 15; sessions will be held at 4pm on Jan 25, Feb 15, and Mar 8)
These mindful moments sessions are open to all staff, students, and faculty. It is 45 minutes with 5-10 minutes at the beginning and end of the session for informal sharing and questions, allowing students some flexibility in arriving and departing. The session includes a short introduction, 20-30 minutes of practice (breath meditation, body scan, mindful walking or movement, compassion and loving kindness, and gratitude practices), sharing, Q&A, and discussion about stress management, benefits of mindfulness meditation, and latest research findings about mindfulness in mental health, including physiology and neuroscience.
You can also listen to past Recorded Sessions.
(*Comfortable clothes and a stable chair are necessary. Cushions/bolsters, blanket, eye pillow, and essential oils are optional.)
ORSS SPONSORED WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICE
The ORSS also offers weekly opportunities to practice mindfulness. Students are invited to join any of the sessions listed on the ORSS website at: https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/orss/Mindfulness_Practice.html
These sessions run from September 20, 2021 - December 17, 2021
Visual-Arts Based Mindfulness | Mondays | 8:10-9:00 pm (No session on October 11th) | Zoom Link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/83222514529
Facilitator: Emily Springgay
These sessions introduce art-making as a tool to connect to the present moment. The arts can help you develop an awareness of your inner experiences, access strengths, and resources, and cultivate self-compassion and compassion towards others. Each session will include a visual arts-based exercise and personal reflection/journaling, followed by a brief discussion. Cameras may be turned on or off at any time. You can use any art materials available to you (e.g., any kind of paper/cardboard/canvas and any mark-making materials such as pencils, pens, markers, highlighters, crayons, paint, etc). Sessions are free and do not require registration. No previous experience or skill level is required. All OISE students are welcome.
Writing the Mind | Tuesdays | 4:10-5:00 pm | Zoom Link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/3954067001
Facilitator: Jordan Weir
These hybrid sessions will combine the benefits of creative writing and mindfulness to support our mental health and emotional well-being. Centered around a new theme each week, these sessions will involve writing prompts, reflections, and other writing exercises interspersed with various mindfulness meditations. Participants will have the chance to de-stress, process their thoughts, and gain deeper awareness of themselves and their needs. No experience in either writing or meditation is necessary— everyone is welcome!
Mindful Meal and Seated Meditation | Wednesdays | 12:10-1:00 pm | Zoom Link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/3954067001
Facilitator: Jordan Weir
These sessions will allow students the opportunity to slow down over their lunch break and apply mindfulness skills to an important part of our daily lives. We will begin with an opening meal prayer or statement of gratitude, then carefully observe our five senses, and eat our lunches mindfully together. After finishing our meals, there will be a 10-20min seated meditation, lightly guided. This meditation will be tailored to the group, so beginner meditators are welcome!
Mindful Movement | Wednesdays, 4:10-5:00 pm | Zoom Link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/83882998042
Facilitator: Emily Springgay
Drawing on Expressive Arts, these sessions introduce movement as a creative approach to mindfulness. Take time to tune into your body to breathe, stretch, and explore movement away from the screen. Each session will include a gentle body-based exploration and personal reflection/journaling, followed by a brief discussion. Cameras may be turned on or off at any time. These drop-in sessions are free and will accommodate small spaces. No previous experience or skill level is required. All OISE students are welcome.
