Wellness

The Power of Storytelling Builds Connections During Mental Health Week

Posted: April 30, 2023

May 1-7 is Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is #MyStory.

Collectively and individually, we have multiple layers and stories that make us who we are and while each year 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or mental health issue, 5 in 5 of us – that’s all people – have mental health.

While we all have different experiences, when we share our stories, we build connections and develop deeper understanding and a sense of community with others. By hearing, seeing and learning of others’ experiences in the world through storytelling, we can destigmatize mental health and raise awareness of important issues, while encouraging individuals to seek help and support.

Whether you chose to share your story with someone you trust or listen to others’ stories, there are several ways to participate in Mental Health Week.

Attend a Webinar

“Someone I know opened up about their mental health struggles but I don’t know how to help them. What should I do?”

During Mental Health Week, our friends at MindBeacon are hosting an “Ask an Expert” event to discuss how to respond to vulnerability in the most helpful way possible.

Date: Wednesday, May 3rd
Time: 11:00 – 11:30 AM

Register here.

Join a Community Walk

Enjoy a guided 30 minute noon hour walk around the grounds at Notre Dame Campus or around the downtown area at the Exchange District Campus. Take this opportunity to enjoy some fresh air, change your scenery and move your body while connecting with other people.

Exchange District Campus: Tuesday, May 2 – leaving at noon. Meet in the Elgin courtyard by Tim Hortons.

Notre Dame Campus: Wednesday, May 3 – leaving at noon. Meet at the North Gym.

For more information and to join one of the groups, contact Kristi.

Learn About Available Mental Health Supports

We all need support from time to time so it’s important to be aware of the resources that are there for us.

RRC Polytech students are encouraged to explore our student mental health supports and resources. Staff and faculty can visit the staff forum page for more information.

Everyone is welcome to look into the Wellness Together Canada portal for free mental health and substance use support.

Sign Up to Join the RRC Polytech Ride Don’t Hide Team

The 2019 RRC Polytech Ride Don’t Hide team

Ride Don’t Hide is Canada’s largest community bike ride for mental health. Ride to bring mental health out in the open, so no one has to hide.

Ride Don’t Hide will take place on Sunday, June 25 at Vimy Ridge Park and will include a picnic, a bike ride, live music and resource tables. RRC Polytech will be sponsoring the registration fees of up to 20 team members and fundraising is optional.

More information can be found here. Please contact Breanna Sawatzky to join the team.

However you choose to observe mental health week, know that its our stories that make us human.

Campus Well-Being May Programs

Posted: April 25, 2023

This May the Campus Well-Being team is please to continue many popular programs, while introducing some new ways to nurture your mental, physical and social health. All staff and students are encouraged to experience the benefits that come with making self-care and community connection a priority.

SPORT & FITNESS

Fitness Classes

We have some talented instructors and a great variety of programs to help get you moving toward your fitness goals or take your routine to the next level. Our coaches will provide exercise progressions & modifications to accommodate all fitness levels.

All classes are at the Notre Dame Campus unless otherwise noted. Some fitness & yoga classes are offered virtually and at the Exchange District Campus.

Class Schedule (April 24, 2023 – June 15 , 2023)

Mondays

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Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am

Tuesdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm

Wednesdays

Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am
Virtual Yoga (30min), 12:15pm

Thursdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm
Yoga at EDC (45min), 4:15pm

Fridays

Virtual Yoga (30min), 12:15pm

Please register at the links above. All classes are open to students and staff who have valid facility memberships. More information about memberships can be found here.  Most students and staff automatically have a membership. Contact recreation with any questions

Drop-In Sport

Our North Gym is open for drop-in sport! Choose from a variety of sport equipment and play between 6:30am and 5:00pm from Monday to Friday. Whether you want to shoot some hoops, kick a soccer ball, or play some badminton, we have everything you need to play.

We have equipment available to play the following sports:

Basketball
Cricket
Pickleball
Football
Ultimate Frisbee
Spikeball
Volleyball
Badminton
Futsal (Indoor soccer)

Use your RRC ID card to sign out equipment with our gym staff. We’ll provide the equipment, and you’re responsible for setup and takedown of the activity. Ask our gym staff for help if you’re not sure how to set something up.

All students and staff are welcome to join. Our open gym time is a great opportunity to get active and make some new friends at the same time.

Please contact Davis if you have any questions about drop-in sport.

MOVEMENT

Weekly Walks (EDC and NDC)

Join Kristi for a 30 minute noon hour walk around the grounds at Notre Dame Campus or around the downtown area at the Exchange District Campus. Take this opportunity to enjoy some fresh air, change your scenery and move your body while connecting with other people.

For more information and to join one of the groups, contact Kristi.

Bike Share Program (NDC)

Campus Well-Being welcomes four new bikes to our Bike Share program – Moose and Bear (large), Eagle (medium) and Goose (small). Come to the NDC North Gym customer service desk during regular gym hours, fill out a waiver and pick your bike – daytime borrowing only by students and staff.

Learn more about the Bike Share program here.

T’ai Chi (NDC)

T’ai Chi involves the use of daily gentle exercise to improve health with a focus on breathwork. This longevity practice is easy to access and yet profound enough for a lifelong engagement. The universal martial arts movements serve as a focus for the development of mind, body, and spirit (Chi).

Join Sifu Josh Schafer who has been training in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMA) for over three decades. His expertise includes Taiji (Yang Lineage), Tiger Claw Gong Fu (Fu Jiow Pai), and Praying Mantis Fist (Tang Lang Ch’uan).

Yoga (EDC)

Join Chaley Martens after school or work for a 45-minute yoga class to unwind from your day. Suitable for all levels and mats are provided.

Yoga (Virtual)

From the comfort of your home or office, Holly leads a 30-minute yoga class allowing participants to stretch, breathe and feel good. Suitable for all levels.

Registration required. NOTE: Link will be emailed to registrants separately.

WELLNESS

Community Garden (NDC)

Students and staff are invited to plant and tend to a community garden plot, located behind the Notre Dame Campus.

Connect with the earth as you dig in the soil, watch nature grow after planting vegetables and flowers, nurture your spirit while pulling weeds over the summer. Then discover the exhilaration of harvesting and preparing food you helped grow.

For more information and availability:

If you are a student, please contact Chloe with the Students’ Association.

If you are a staff member, contact Kristi, Recreation and Wellness Coordinator.

NOTE: Kick off starts the week of May 23, 2023, after the May long weekend. Plots available: Full plots 9’x18′ or half size. The Grounds crew will regularly water the garden boxes over the summer, students and staff are responsible for the ongoing upkeep of their garden plot.

RECREATION

Pop-Up Game Room (EDC and NDC)

Campus Well-Being and the Students’ Association welcome you to a new term! Play some giant games like Jenga, Chess, Checkers or Connect 4, shoot some mini hoops or try table tennis*, join some peers in a friendly card game or do some colouring.

DROP-IN – Exchange District Campus: Thursday May 4, 2023 – 10am to 2pm. Dining Hall near Tim Hortons in The Roblin Centre.

DROP-IN – Notre Dame Campus: Thursday, May 11, 2023 – 10am to 2pm. Library Hallway.

*Note: Table tennis and mini hoops only available at NDC.

Paint Night (Virtual)

Art is a powerful form of medicine – with the power to heal, to find insight, stillness and growth, to de-stress and feel in balance. Making art is a safe space to be wild and free.” Kisa MacIssac

Join Campus Well-Being, the Students’ Association and instructor Kisa MacIsaac, for an evening of painting and creative discovery. Participants follow a step-by-step process to create a unique painted canvas. There is no cost for this event. All students and staff are welcome to register.

Paint Night Kits (limited number, students only): If you are a RRC Polytech student at NDC or EDC, only twenty (20) student paint night kits are available.

Email Kristi for more information.

Board Game Night (EDC and NDC)

Bring your friends and family for an “all welcome” board game night.

DROP-IN – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Tuesday, May 16, 4pm to 7pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons.

DROP-IN – NOTRE DAME CAMPUS: Thursday, May 18, 4pm to 7pm, in The Cave.

Some of the games include: Catan Family Edition, Cranium, Taboo, Cribbage and Crib Wars, Forbidden Island, Monopoly (board game) and Monoply Deal (cards), Uno, Scrabble, Boggle, Yahtzee, Telestrations, Chess and Checkers, Sequence, Hedbanz, Battleship, Jenga, Dominoes and Pictionary.

Contact Kristi if you’d like to reserve a specific game for your group of friends, classmates or staff team.

Enjoy a Springtime Ride with our Bike Share Program

Posted: April 25, 2023

Staff member Linda Caldwell, enjoying one of our new bikes.

Campus Well-Being’s Bike Share program includes four bikes available to borrow during the day at the Notre Dame Campus.

Moose and Bear – two large framed bikes for people 5’5” to 6’ tall and up
Eagle – a medium sized bike for people 5’5” to 5’8” tall
Goose – for people 5’2” to 5’5” tall

Come to the NDC North Gym customer service desk during regular gym hours, fill out a waiver and pick your bike – daytime borrowing only by students and staff. Wearing a helmet is mandatory. Bring your own or borrow one from us; bike locks are available too.

Each user receiving a bike will be responsible for:

Keeping it secure
Riding safely and lawfully
Returning it in a timely manner

Campus Well-Being April Programs

Posted: March 28, 2023

Grey stones stacked in the foreground with soothing blues and greens in the background. White text reads Campus Well-Being Events

Spring is here and for many students, that means exams and final projects. While making time to study and complete course work is certainly important, the Campus Well-Being team encourages you to carve out some time for a healthy break.

Whether that means joining a fitness or movement class, playing your favorite sport, petting a therapy dog, relaxing in the Zen Zone, cooking yourself a nourishing meal, playing a board game with friends or joining one of our creative activities – these moments of self-care can refresh you, helping you to reach your goals.

Sport & Fitness

Fitness Classes

All classes are at the Notre Dame Campus unless otherwise noted. Some fitness & yoga classes are offered virtually and at the Exchange District Campus.

Class Schedule (March 27, 2023 – May 26, 2023)

Mondays

Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am

Tuesdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm

Wednesdays

Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am
Yoga (40min), 12:10pm
- In Person Registration *special immersive experience in studio GM33
- Virtual / Online Registration *sign up here to register for the virtual class

Thursdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm
Yoga at EDC (45min), 4:15pm
Virtual Strength Training (45min), 5:15pm
- Sign up for this class and you’ll have access for 7 days. You can view these recordings at your convenience.

Fridays

Virtual Yoga (30min), 12:15pm

Intramural Sport

Intramural sports provide students & staff an opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational sport activities on campus in a safe and supportive environment. 

Choose from our sport of the day or drop in to play a sport of your choice. You can sign up as a team or register as an individual and get placed on a team at the time of the event. All skill levels are welcome!  

Check out our Intramural Sport Schedule for more information and to sign up for a sport!  

Mondays  

Basketball (3on3) 4:00pm – 5:30pm (North Gym)

Wednesdays 

Futsal (Indoor Soccer) 3:00pm – 4:30pm (South Gym)

Thursdays  

Basketball (3on3) 4:00pm – 5:30pm (North Gym)

Fridays 

Cricket 3:00pm – 4:30pm (North Gym)

Want to add another sport? Or another timeslot? Email Davis to become a volunteer Intramural Coordinator and assist in delivering more sports. More information about the Intramural Coordinator position can be found here .

Movement Classes

T’ai Chi (In-Person)

NDC Immersion Room Yoga (In-Person and Virtual)

Holly Pluchinski guides in-person yoga participants in a room surrounded by soothing sounds and panoramas. Stretch and relax! Suitable for all levels and mats are provided.

Notre Dame Campus only, Wednesdays, 12:10pm to 12:50pm, GM33, near North Gym.

NOTE: Link will be emailed to registrants after registration. No food is allowed in the room. Click here for more information about the Immersion Room (GM33).

EDC Yoga – ONLY Thursdays (In-Person)

Join Chaley Martens after school or work for a 45-minute yoga class to unwind from your day. Suitable for all levels and mats are provided.

REGISTER – Exchange District Campus, Only Thursdays for April and May, 4:15pm to 5:00pm in P107 of The Roblin Centre.

Friday Yoga (Virtual)

From the comfort of your home or office, Holly leads a 30-minute yoga class allowing participants to stretch, breathe and feel good. Suitable for all levels.

Registration required. NOTE: Link will be emailed to registrants separately.

Wellness

Therapy Dog Visits – EDC and NDC (In-Person)

Animal and human interactions can offer many positive health benefits. For example, animals can help decrease our cortisol levels (a stress hormone), lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness, and help boost our mood. They are also fun to have around and offer us to chance to form unique and intimate bonds.

DROP-BY: NOTRE DAME CAMPUS – Monday, April 17, 2023: 11:30am – 1pm, Campus Store Hallway, In-person

DROP-BY: EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS – Wednesday, April 19, 2023: 11:30am – 1pm, Atrium of The Roblin Centre, In-person

Cooking for Wellness (Virtual)

From the comfort of your own kitchen, Abby Legaspi leads at-home chefs through a step-by-step recipe for summer rolls and dipping sauce. Cozy up with good food and lots of fun!

NOTE: The first 20 RRC Polytech students may request an ingredient kit to pick up from NDC or EDC. You will receive email confirmation. Student supply kits are limited, so register early.

REGISTER – Thursday, April 27, 2023: 6pm to 8pm – Virtual*

*LINK and Recipe: Will be emailed separately to registrants closer to the event.

Nature Drawing – Immersion Room (In-Person)

Surrounded by nature scenes and sounds, live plants and other assorted items, drop by the transformed immersion room to tap into your creative side. Pay attention, look closely, be in the moment, then draw what you see and journal what you feel. A drawing instructor will be available for assistance.

First 10 students will receive a complimentary sketching notebook and pencil to get started. Loose sketch paper, markers, crayons and pencil crayons will also be available to use in the room.

DROP-BY – NOTRE DAME CAMPUS: Thursday, April 13, 2023, 1pm to 3pm, in the Immersion Room, GM33.

Recreation

EDC – Make Your Own Fairy Garden

Escape from our wintery world for a couple of hours and relax with some greenery. Pick a container, choose a plant, get your hands dirty and add some accessories to create your own “fairy garden” to take home with you.

All materials and plants provided. Register early, seating limited.

Session Details:

REGISTER – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 4:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons.

Paint a Pot (In-Person)

Join the RRCSA and Campus Well-Being for a night of pottery painting! Enjoy some relaxing, unhurried creative time by picking a small terracotta ready-to-paint flowerpot and transforming it into your own amazing work of art.

Complete your project by planting in some seeds and watch it grow into a beautiful flower! All materials supplied – pots, paints, soil and seeds.

REGISTER – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 4:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons.

Game Night – EDC and NDC (In-Person)

Bring your friends and family for an “all welcome” board game night at Red River College Polytechnic presented by Campus Well-Being and the Students’ Association.

DROP-IN – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Third Tuesday of every month, 4pm to 7pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons. (April 18, 2023)

DROP-IN – NOTRE DAME CAMPUS: Third Thursday of every month, 4pm to 7pm, in The Cave. (April 20, 2023)

Contact Kristi if you’d like to reserve a specific game for your group of friends, classmates or staff team.

Pop-Up Game Room

Campus Well-Being and the Student Association welcome you to a new term! Play some giant games like Jenga, Chess, Checkers or Connect 4, shoot some mini hoops or try table tennis*, join some peers in a friendly card game or do some colouring.

DROP-IN – Exchange District Campus: Thursday May 4, 2023 – 10am to 2pm. Dining Hall near Tim Hortons in The Roblin Centre.

DROP-IN – Notre Dame Campus: Thursday, May 11, 2023 – 10am to 2pm. Library Hallway.

*Note: Table tennis and mini hoops only available at NDC.

Paint Night (Virtual)

“Art is a powerful form of medicine – with the power to heal, to find insight, stillness and growth, to de-stress and feel in balance. Making art is a safe space to be wild and free.” Kisa MacIssac

Paint Night Kits (limited number, students only): If you are a RRC Polytech student at NDC or EDC, only twenty (20) student paint night kits are available.

Email Kristi for more information.

Student Movie Showcase in the Immersion Room

Posted: March 21, 2023

Campus Well-Being and Emerging Media Production (EMP) transform the NDC Immersion Room into a movie-viewing experience. We’ll be showcasing RRC Polytech Digital Film & Media Production student creations. Drop in and stay a while or come for a quick viewing.

DROP-BY: Notre Dame Campus, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 between 1 and 4pm in the Immersion Room (GM33) near the North Gym.

Meet and Greet Popcorn Party – from 1:30 to 2:30pm – munch and mingle with the movie makers.

Read on for more information on the student filmmakers and their films.

ᒪᐢᑭᓯᐣ: A Moccasin Creation Story

In tribute to filmmaker, Fawnda Neckoway’s late grandmother, Irene, “ᒪᐢᑭᓯᐣ: A Moccasin Creation Story” showcases a modern making behind the traditional art. In this generational short film we see Isabel Neckoway, who for the first time creates her own moccasins and a Cree message by Moccasin Knowledge Keeper, Susan Wood. (Run time: 5:30 mins)

Written, Directed and Cinematography by Fawnda Neckoway Assistant Editor/Sound – Myrem Phillips

She’s Not There

A film noir for the modern age. A local detective struggles to find out what happened to a promising young woman. (Run time: 7 mins)

Director name: Daphne Finlayson

Please Handle with Care

This short Documentary follows Liway, a permanent resident living in Canada as she prepares to send a balikbayan box to her family back home in the Philippines. This film takes a deeper look into how a tradition for many OFWs (Oversea Filipino Workers) and immigrants became a billion-dollar industry. Balikbayan, meaning “to return” has changed meaning over the years. As we follow Liway’s journey and what it means for her to be able to send back her wealth, we also gain historical insight into these boxes and the business behind them. (Run time: 9:54 minutes)

Director: Angeline Javier

Camera Operator & Assistant Editor: Chris Ayson
Camera Operator, Assistant Editor, Sound & Colour: Ewan Gordon

MindWell Challenge Winners

Posted: March 21, 2023

Congratulations to all the MindWell 30-day mindfulness challenge participants!

All students and staff can register for a MindWell account to access the Take 5 Daily program any time. For this 30-day program, all you need is five minutes a day, anytime, anywhere and on any device. Evidence shows that it lowers stress, increases resilience, improves teamwork, and strengthens leadership skills.

This opportunity teaches ‘mindfulness-in-action’, helping participants become calm, present and focused during daily tasks and work. MindWell also offers many other workshops, classes and training resources to assist you on your path of well-being.

Winners:

Float.Calm gift certificates: Kunwar Aditya and Marcelo Tiago Lopes Shimizu

“I am an extremely anxious person and finishing the 30 day challenge of the Take 5 Daily course made me reconnect with myself, my family, and everything around me. Now I am more relaxed, feeling more alive in the now and practicing Take 5 every day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and remember attitudes that make my day better.”
Marcelo Tiago Lopes Shimizu

Halfmoon Yoga Mat and Block: Heidi DeFehr and Bea Bernardo

“It’s easy to get sucked into what’s happening everywhere else and fail to see what’s around us. Spending 5 minutes for 30 days focusing on the present moment made me realize how much I’ve been missing out on right in front of me.”
Bea Bernardo

“I really enjoyed the MindWell series. It was manageable (requiring less than 5 min/day) and relatable. The Take 5 program gave me great tips that I continue to use, even after the program has ended – Notice the Cue, Notice the New, Notice the Body, Notice the Breath, and Notice the Now.” It is a great program to help reduce stress and increase focus.”
Heidi DeFehr

Halfmoon Meditation Cushion: Sam Lee and Mufidat Musa

“In my experience with the MindWell Challenge, I developed a habit of self-care. The program provided sophisticated instructions on how to practice daily meditation. As a result, I now meditate for 5 minutes each morning and can focus on tasks for longer periods than before. I highly recommend this challenge to other students. “
Sam Lee

March Madness Bracket Contest

Posted: March 8, 2023

Campus Well-Being is hosting a 2023 March Madness Bracket Contest for our students & staff. This is a fun and exciting way to follow the tournament, compete with your classmates or colleagues, and potentially win a prize!

What is March Madness?

March Madness is one of the most anticipated and watched events in all of sports with 64 college basketball teams competing in a seven round tournament. On Sunday March 12^th, each team will be arranged in a tournament bracket. The games start on Thursday March 16^th, and once a team loses, they are eliminated. To enter this contest, you’ll be asked to predict the winners for each game before the tournament begins.

Sign up now to show us how well you know NCAA Basketball, or how good you are at guessing the winners! Entry is free, and no basketball knowledge is required.

Contest Details

Sign up online and enter your bracket here. You’ll first need to create an account, then you’ll be asked to join the RRC March Madness Contest. Brackets must be submitted between March 12^th to 16^th at 10:00am (before the start of the tournament). Live updates will be made to our contest standings as the tournament goes on, so follow along to see where you rank amongst our college community.

Contest Scoring

For each game winner that is correctly chosen, points will be awarded. Higher point totals will be awarded for correct picks as the tournament progresses. The point breakdown for each round can be found below:

First Round – 1 point
Second Round – 2 points
Third Round (Sweet 16) – 4 points
Fourth Round (Elite 8) – 8 points
Final Four – 16 points
Championship – 32 points

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top three people in the standings at the end of the tournament. Winners will be contacted by email at the end of the contest.

1^st place – $100 Sport Chek Gift Card
2^nd place – $50 Sport Chek Gift Card
3^rd place – $25 Sport Chek Gift Card

Please email Davis with any questions.

Campus Well-Being March Programs

Posted: February 28, 2023

As winter begins its transition to spring, this can be a perfect time to try new things or reconnect with activities you enjoy. The Campus Well-Being March calendar includes many opportunities for students and staff to get active, social, creative or relax – whatever it is you need. All programs are offered at no cost with a valid RRC Polytech identification card.

Sport & Fitness

Fitness Classes

All classes are at the Notre Dame Campus unless otherwise noted. Some fitness & yoga classes are offered virtually and at the Exchange District Campus.

Class Schedule (March 1, 2023 – April 7, 2023)

Mondays

Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am

Tuesdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm
Yoga at EDC (30min), 4:15pm

Wednesdays

Muscle & Mobility (40min), 11:10am
Yoga (40min), 12:10pm
- In Person Registration *special immersive experience in studio GM33
- Virtual / Online Registration *sign up here to register for the virtual class

Thursdays

Strength & Conditioning (40min), 12:10pm
Yoga at EDC (30min), 4:15pm
Virtual Strength Training (45min), 5:15pm
- Sign up for this class and you’ll have access for 7 days. You can view these recordings at your convenience.

Fridays

Virtual Yoga (30min), 12:15pm

Please register at the links above. All classes are open to students and staff who have valid facility memberships. More information about memberships can be found here. Most students and staff automatically have a membership. Contact recreation with any questions.

Intramural Sport

Intramural sports provide students & staff an opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational sport activities on campus in a safe and supportive environment. 

Check out our Intramural Sport Schedule for more information and to sign up!  

Mondays  

Basketball (3on3) 4:00pm – 5:30pm (North Gym)

Tuesdays  

Volleyball 4:00pm – 5:30pm (North Gym)

Wednesdays 

Futsal (Indoor Soccer) 3:00pm – 4:30pm (South Gym)

Thursdays  

Basketball (3on3) 4:00pm – 5:30pm (North Gym)

Fridays 

Cricket 3:00pm – 4:30pm (North Gym)

Want to add another sport? Or another timeslot? Email Davis to become a volunteer Intramural Coordinator and assist in delivering more sports. More information about the Intramural Coordinator position can be found here .

Movement Classes

T’ai Chi (In-Person)

NDC Immersion Room Yoga (In-Person and Virtual)

Holly Pluchinski guides in-person yoga participants in a room surrounded by soothing sounds and panoramas. Stretch and relax! Suitable for all levels and mats are provided.

Notre Dame Campus only, Wednesdays, 12:10pm to 12:50pm, GM33, near North Gym.

NOTE: Link will be emailed to registrants after registration. No food is allowed in the room. Click here for more information about the Immersion Room (GM33).

EDC Yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays (In-Person)

Join Chaley Martens after school or work for a 30-minute yoga class to unwind from your day. Suitable for all levels and mats are provided.

Friday Yoga (Virtual)

From the comfort of your home or office, Holly leads a 30-minute yoga class allowing participants to stretch, breathe and feel good. Suitable for all levels.

Registration required. NOTE: Link will be emailed to registrants separately.

Wellness

Cooking for Wellness (Virtual)

From the comfort of your own kitchen, Abby Legaspi leads at-home chefs through the step-by-step recipe for Honduran Baleadas, a thick flour tortilla stuffed with some savory filling. Cozy up with good food and lots of fun!

NOTE: The first 20 RRC Polytech students may request an ingredient kit to pick up from NDC or EDC. You will receive email confirmation. Student supply kits are limited, so register early.

REGISTER – Thursday, March 2, 2023: 6pm to 8pm – Virtual*

*LINK and Recipe: Will be emailed separately to registrants closer to the event.

Therapy Dog Visits (In-Person)

DROP-BY: EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS – Thursday, March 9, 2023: 11:30am – 1pm, Atrium of The Roblin Centre, In-person

DROP-BY: NOTRE DAME CAMPUS – Tuesday, March 14, 2023: 11:30am – 1pm, Campus Store Hallway, In-person

Drop-in Zen Zone

Need something a little quieter? Visit the Zen Zone in the Immersion Room at NDC.

Relax. Lie down or sit. Breathe. Listen to soothing nature sounds, bring your own guided meditation or watch the peaceful vistas projected all around you. Yoga mats and cushions will be available.

Details:

Thursday, March 9, 2023: 1pm to 3pm

Thursday, March 16, 2023: 1pm to 3pm

Please note: There is a room capacity limit (20). Please enter the room quietly and remain silent to respect others’ quiet contemplations. No food is allowed in the room. Click here for more information about the Immersion Room (GM33).

Recreation

Game Night – EDC and NDC (In-Person)

Bring your friends and family for an “all welcome” board game night at Red River College Polytechnic presented by Campus Well-Being and the Students’ Association.

DROP-IN – NOTRE DAME CAMPUS: Third Thursday of every month, 4pm to 7pm, in The Cave. (March 16, 2023)

DROP-IN – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Third Tuesday of every month, 4pm to 7pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons. (March 21, 2023)

Some of the games include: Catan Family Edition, Cranium, Taboo, Cribbage and Crib Wars, Forbidden Island, Monoply Deal, Uno, Scrabble, Boggle, Yahtzee, Telestrations, Chess and Checkers, Sequence, Hedbanz, Battleship, Jenga and Pictionary.

Contact Kristi if you’d like to reserve a specific game for your group of friends, classmates or staff team.

Paint Night (Virtual)

Paint Night Kits (limited number, students only): If you attend a regional RRC Polytech Campus, please check with your Academic Success Coach for the availability of a complementary paint night kit. If you are a RRC Polytech student at NDC or EDC, only twenty (20) student paint night kits are available.

Email Kristi for more information.

Immersion Room Movies – Student Showcase (In-Person)

Campus Well-Being and Emerging Media Production (EMP) transform the NDC Immersion Room into an outside park movie-viewing vista. Drop in and stay or come for a quick viewing. Showcasing RRC Polytech, Digital Film & Media Production student creations with a couple extras thrown in the mix.

DROP-BY: Notre Dame Campus, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 between 1pm to 4pm in the Immersion Room (GM33)near the North Gym.

Meet and Greet Popcorn Party – munch and mingle with the movie makers around 1:30 to 2:30pm.

ᒪᐢᑭᓯᐣ: A Moccasin Creation Story

In tribute to filmmaker, Fawnda Neckoway’s late grandmother, Irene, “ᒪᐢᑭᓯᐣ: A Moccasin Creation Story” showcases a modern making behind the traditional art. In this generational short film we see Isabel Neckoway, for who the first time creates her own moccasins and a Cree message by Moccasin Knowledge Keeper, Susan Wood. (Run time: 5:30 mins)

Written, Directed and Cinematography by Fawnda Neckoway Assistant Editor/Sound – Myrem Phillips

She’s Not There

A film noir for the modern age, a local detective struggles to find out what happened to a promising young woman. (Run time: 7 mins)

Director name: Daphne Finlayson

Please Handle with Care

Chris Ayson

Ewan Gordon

Director: Angeline Javier
Camera Operator & Assistant Editor: Chris Ayson
Camera Operator, Assistant Editor, Sound & Colour: Ewan Gordon

Flow Art and the Space In-Between (In-Person)

Follow your ‘desire to create’ in an evening of painting with flow art. Join in a fun relaxing space to explore, play and learn simple paint pouring techniques. Flow art or acrylic pouring is fast becoming an art medium many enjoy. It can be a very relaxing process to watch the painting “come alive” in front of your eyes. No previous art experience is required.

Diane Sidebottom and l’aura Carroll will guide you through the process and help you connect with your inner creator in an open and meditative process. There will be some sound healing with crystal bowls and guided relaxation within the evening, which will set the tone to include mindfulness and healing intentions for the art work as well.

Paint a Pot (In-Person)

Complete your project by planting in some seeds and watch it grow into a beautiful flower! All materials supplied – pots, paints, soil and seeds.

REGISTER – EXCHANGE DISTRICT CAMPUS: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 4:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Dining Hall in The Roblin Centre near Tim Hortons.

Get Movin’ Challenge

Posted: February 8, 2023

Step up & Win!

Go toe-to-toe with your classmates and colleagues. Move your way to improved health, and a chance to win some great prizes!

Keep track of your steps (& other physical activity) during the month of March. To qualify for the prize draw, 7000 steps per day is required for a minimum of 10 days during the month.

The more days you reach 7000 steps, the better the prizes!

Register Here before Monday March 13th
Submit Your Results by Tuesday April 4th – after completing the challenge
Winners will be announced on Friday April 7th

Tracking Movement And Submitting Results

How do I track my steps or physical activity? (4 options)

Use your fitness tracker or smart phone to determine how many steps you achieve each day.
Download the free ‘Google Fit’ app or other tracking platform to allow your smart phone to track your step count.
- Google Fit – iPhone
- Google Fit – Android
Enter your daily physical activity into this Activity to Steps Converter to convert various movement activities into a step total.
Exercise for 30+ minutes at the gym, pool, spin studio, or at home to achieve the equivalent of 7000 steps (for the purpose of this contest).
- Sports, weights, aerobics, it all counts!

For each day that you reach 7000 steps, use your phone or notebook to track your total number of days.

At the end of the month, submit your results here.

Hitting Your Goal

Here are some ways to achieve 7000 steps (or the movement equivalent):

Walk / Run / Cycle
Take a fitness class
Lift weights

Active transportation
Have a walking meeting
Set movement reminders

Play sports
Take the stairs
Choose activities you enjoy

Check out our Campus Well-Being Program Calendar for more information on movement opportunities and to sign up for free fitness classes, intramural sports, walking groups, and more!

Prizes

How do I win prizes?

Reach 7000 steps for 10 or more days for a bronze prize entry.
Reach 7000 steps for 15 or more days for a silver prize entry.
Reach 7000 steps for 20 or more days for a gold prize entry.

Bronze Prize List – 12 Winners

Yoga Package (Yoga mat & Mini band pack) x 3
Mobility Package (Foam roller & Mini band pack) x 3
$25 Gift Card (Sport Chek, Lululemon) x 3 each

Silver Prize List – 6 Winners

Fitness Package (Yoga mat, Foam roller, Mini bands, Water bottle) x 3
$50 Gift Card (Sport Chek x2, Lululemon x 1)

Gold Prize List – 3 Winners

$100 Gift Card (Sport Chek x2, Lululemon, x1)

Please email Davis Chase ⁠with any questions.

Check Out What’s Happening on MindWell in February

Posted: January 31, 2023

This February, we encourage you to work on the most important relationship you can have in your lifetime: The Relationship with Yourself.

The way you feel, think and perform each day is part of this relationship. When you feel good, it shows – at work, in your relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members and everywhere else in your life too.

MindWell has put together new class themes and programs that will help you develop this positive, healthy relationship with yourself.

These programs include:

The 4 Aspects of Love
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Meaningful Breaks through Movement
Tai Chi: Reduce Stress & Increase Mobility

All workshops and classes are free to Red River College Polytechnic faculty, staff and students. Sign up for a Free MindWell Account to access and find a class that is right for you.

Making Difficult Conversations Easier

Conversations with colleagues or loved ones can feel difficult when you know the person might not like what you have to say. Unfortunately, difficult conversations are a part of life.

Join Coach Jackie every Monday in February to learn how to apply the skill of mindfulness and compassionate communication to make those difficult conversations easier.

Mondays at noon (virtual)

Learn More

Rejuvenate with Movement Breaks

Whether you’re sitting at your desk or standing all day at work, your body (and mind) will benefit from short breaks of varied movement.

Join Lucia every Tuesday in February to learn how to incorporate shorts bursts of movement into your day to improve your posture, alleviate achy muscles and feel your best.

Tuesdays at 11:30am (virtual)

Learn More

Tai Chi: Relieve Stress & Increase Mobility

Tai Chi classes will help you discover simple movements to improve your physical and mental health, balance and relaxation through the ancient art of Tai Chi. Safe and accessible for all – even those recovering from illness or injury. No special clothing or equipment needed.

Join Peter every Monday to learn the foundations of Tai Chi to decrease stress and improve your mobility.

Mondays at 2:00pm (virtual)

Learn More

The 4 Aspects of Love

When most people hear the word ‘love’, they automatically think about ‘intimate’ love – the love you have for a romantic partner. However, there are actually 4 types of love: Intimate, Self, Family/Friend and Universal love.

Join Ross each Friday in February to discover how to deepen your capacity to give and receive love in all areas.

Fridays at 11:00am (virtual)