Wellness
Qigong with Hal
Qigong refers to a Chinese practice whose goal is to support, circulate, and replenish Qi (or chi). It has connections to Tai Chi and to traditional Chinese medicine. It is a gentle meditative movement and breathing practice. Qigong meets on Mondays from 12 – 12:30 p.m., on the Carriage House porch or inside if the weather demands it. Our meetings require no previous experience or specialized clothing (flat shoes are good, though). The group will follow an open drop-in model – you are welcome to join whenever works for you. Led by Hal Caswell, a long-time practitioner and teacher of Tai Chi and Qigong.
Contact: hcaswell@whoi.edu
Yoga with Angela
Yoga with Angela is a free, multilevel yoga class with no prior experience required. The hour-long class is organized around a series of breath-driven poses and movement with soothing music and experienced guidance from Angela. The course takes place in Carriage House on two Tuesdays a month from 12-1 p.m. — check the Campus Life Calendar for upcoming dates. Please bring a mat, water, and a towel if you need one.
Contact: angela.lang@whoi.edu.
Mindfulness with Marney
Mindfulness meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-12:30 p.m. in Carriage House. This group explores various types of sitting practice, including breathwork and breath counting, sensory practice, traditional Metta and Tonglen practices, as well as regular body scans, concentration sittings, and open practice. This is an informal drop-in group which requires no experience with meditation. Marney is the facilitator. In the warm weather, we practice outdoors on the Carriage House porch.
Contact: marney.rathbun@whoi.edu.
Mindful Birding with Molly
Take a breather with birds. Gift yourself a restorative break into quiet presence and the wondrous world of birds with a gentle walk and sitting practice in nature. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the outdoors, the birds are excellent allies for bringing us into the present moment, helping us to slow down and restore our nervous systems. Research shows that seeing or hearing birds significantly improves mental wellbeing, with lasting benefits. Mindful birding dovetails beautifully with the sensory awareness needed to learn the secret language of birds. By tuning into their vocalizations and behaviors, we begin to decode their communication. We’ll gather as a community to share our bird stories and observations from the experience. This practice will deepen your kinship with birds and offer a grounding practice you can carry home and enjoy daily. Molly facilitates this group on the last Wednesday of the month, April to October, from 12:15-1 p.m. on the Fenno lawn.
Contact: molly.tsongas@whoi.edu.
Sound Bath with Ellen
A sound bath is an immersive experience with the tones and vibrations of singing bowls for deep relaxation and wellbeing. Singing bowls, when played rhymically, have been shown to entrain the brain into Alpha and Theta waves, which are associated with deep relaxation, meditation, flow states, and enhanced creative thinking. They have also been shown to stimulate the Vagus Nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system to bring the body into a state of “rest and repair,” lowering the heart rate, reducing stress, and promoting a deep sense of wellbeing. Sound Baths with Ellen, from Woods Hole Well-Being, are one-hour, free to all WHOI personnel, and require no materials. They take place two Thursdays a month from 4-5 p.m. in her studio at 28A Water Street — check the Campus Life Calendar for upcoming dates. Ellen uses both Quartz crystal bowls and Himalayan metal bowls for these sittings. Cushions and mats are available, and you are welcome to bring your own.
Contact: marney.rathbun@whoi.edu.