Whether you’d like to pick up some culinary tips and tasty samples from Ortanique’s chef, Cindy Hutson, or learn to beat the odds with CNN Hero Robyn Benincasa, the University of Miami’s fourth annual Week of Well-Being from April 4-8 promises to deliver. Other popular events scheduled for the week include Fitness Boot Camp with UM alumna and fitness expert Nicole Chaplin, food sampling and massages at the wellness fairs, and group yoga and Zumba classes. This year, wellness will extend beyond the University and into the South Florida community with a food drive benefiting Camillus House and numerous community service opportunities.

Don’t forget to share your Week of Well-Being experiences on social media by using hashtag #WOW2016, and follow @Inside_UM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for live event coverage. To view a complete schedule of events and satellite location activities, visit the Week of Well-Being page.

 CORAL GABLES, Fla. (March 16, 2016) – Explore the innate capacity to focus, pay attention, and expand your awareness through sound at Mindfulness & U: Sound of the Bell. The free workshop , beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24 at the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center offers an engaging introduction and immersion into mindfulness practice and is open to all University of Miami students, faculty, and staff.

“Mindfulness can be used to relieve stress and experience life in the moment,” said Ashley Falcon, assistant director of wellness at the Herbert Wellness Center. “Each workshop introduces the UM community to different aspects in the world of mindfulness.”

Mindfulness & U: Sound of the Bell is led by Timothy Conner, a professor in the Frost School of Music and former principal trombonist in the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. Conner conducts mindfulness and music workshops at the Frost School of Music and is also a member of UMindfulness, the interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together brain researchers and mindfulness practice training faculty.

This workshop is free and open to all UM students, faculty, and staff. To reserve your spot, contact the sales office at 305-284-5433. The last UMindfulness workshop this semester, Moving into Mindfulness, will be held on Wednesday, April 6.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (March 7, 2016) – Mini Canes Recreational Sports Camp at the University of Miami is not your traditional sports camp. As a multi-award-winning camp, Mini Canes offers children ages 6-12 educational and recreational activities to help develop lifelong skills while having fun in a safe environment. Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, March 21, UM employees and alumni can register their children at the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center.

“Mini Canes is a multidimensional camp,” said Tom Soria, director of Mini Canes Camp at the Herbert Wellness Center. “Our campers are on the Coral Gables campus and learn a range of skills from sports and swimming to art and cooking, all with health, fitness and safety in mind.”

Divided into groups by age, campers will participate in a variety of activities focused on sports, health and wellness. Depending on in which session a camper enrolls, basketball, kickball, flag football, soccer and softball are among the sports taught. In addition to sports and games, campers engage in educationally focused activities such as wellness education, arts and crafts, cooking lessons, and special events. Campers also take part in daily swim lessons.

“Camp offers a variety of educational learning opportunities, and daily swim lessons are just one of our main highlights,” added Soria. “Swimming is a vital skill that every child living in South Florida should master.”

Additionally, each day, campers create beautiful art projects using a collection of art materials and techniques that become more challenging with the age of the campers. Once a week, campers learn how to read recipes and apply various cooking techniques while whipping up delicious treats.

At the end of every two-week session, camp culminates with an extravaganza performed by the campers. Parents, family, and friends are invited to watch as their children sing, dance, and act in a special themed show.

Mini Canes Camp runs for four, two-week sessions beginning June 13. Parents have the option to sign up their children for any combination of sessions, depending on availability. Camp drop-off begins at 8:45 a.m., which coordinates with the UM workday. Before- and after-care are available for additional fees.

Camp Session Dates

• Session 1: June 13 – 24
• Session 2: June 27 – July 8 (Closed Monday, July 4)
• Session 3: July 11 – 22
• Session 4: July 25 – August 5

Registration is available for all UM affiliates, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. To expedite registration, visit www.miami.edu/wellness/camp to download and complete the necessary enrollment packet before registering. Camper enrollment packets must be delivered in person to the Mini Canes office on the second floor of the Herbert Wellness Center. Please be prepared to present your ’Cane Card and C number, (or alumni association card) upon registration.Incomplete registration materials will not be accepted. For complete registration procedures, click here.

The impact of chronic stress is one of the strongest factors in determining a person’s overall health and well-being. A growing body of scientific research suggests that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs significantly benefit a wide range of participants, from those suffering with chronic pain and illness, to those with anxiety and depression. To that end, the UHealth Fitness and Wellness Center will host another session of the eight-week MBSR program, modeled after the University of Massachusetts’ Center For Mindfulness program, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, April 2 through May 21.

During the course, two facilitators trained by the  program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, at the University of Massachusetts, will provide guided instruction in formal mindfulness meditation techniques that include relaxation, gentle stretching, and class discussion. Guided recordings are provided for daily one-hour home practice, which is strongly recommended in order to experience the full benefits of the course.

The program costs $325 and is open to any one interested in improving their health, well-being, and wholeness. Registration costs includes all course materials.

For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call 954.643-5397.