Ever need help getting over that Wednesday hump? Not to worry: The College is offering plenty of lunchtime activities this semester to help faculty and staff not just get through Hump Day, but make it the most energizing, restorative day of the workweek!
Wellness Wednesdays
Starting at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, Campus Recreation Services (CRS) will host Wellness Wednesdays, a weekly series of mini-classes related to a variety of health/fitness/wellness topics. From guided meditations to FAQs to guest speakers, these short sessions (usually 10–15 minutes) will promote health and wellness among faculty and staff, debunk common myths about diets and fads and offer expert advice and tips on everything from eating on the go to exercising with a bad back.
“We’ll bring on guest speakers and campus experts like dietitians and meditation leaders to provide insight and guidance on specific areas,” says Bucky Buchanan ’08, assistant director of fitness, noting that faculty and staff may email him with topic ideas and/or questions they’d like to be addressed by a campus expert. “We’d also love to hear from anyone interested in speaking and/or leading a Wellness Wednesday. We want this to be an opportunity to share the knowledge and expertise that’s already on our campus and make our community healthier than ever.”
Although some sessions will be livestreamed, most Wellness Wednesday events will be recorded and housed on the CRS Wellness Wednesday webpage so that faculty and staff may watch (and re-watch) the videos at their convenience.
15-Minute Virtual Yoga
Alicia Caudill invites faculty and staff to join a 15-minute virtual yoga session at noon on Wednesdays. (Photo by Mack Palmour)
Executive Vice President of Student Affairs and registered yoga teacher Alicia Caudill leads 15-minute yoga sessions on Wednesdays at noon via Zoom. Designed specifically for faculty and staff, the sessions can be done right at your desk.
“It really is 15 minutes and can be done in your desk chair,” says Caudill. “We focus on catching our breath and doing some easy stretching focused mostly on shoulders, neck and back.”
To receive reminders and updates about these weekly sessions, email Caudill – and join a session via the Zoom link above!
Pickleball
CRS hosts faculty, staff and students for some friendly pickleball competition in the F. Mitchell Johnson Physical Education Center (30 George St.) every Wednesday from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty and staff get together on Wednesdays at noon in the Johnson Center to play pickleball. (Photo by Heather Moran)
Never played (or even heard of) pickleball before? No sweat! All you need to play is your Cougar Card for entry and a good attitude!
RELATED: Find out more about how pickleball got started at the College of Charleston.
“Pickleball is an easy sport to pick up – you can just show up on a Wednesday and jump right in, playing singles or doubles,” says Vince Benigni, communication professor, who has been joining in the fun ever since CRS started offering it about five years ago. “Now I really enjoy getting together with friends to play, and it’s a decent workout as well.”
To learn more about pickleball, Wellness Wednesdays and other fitness/wellness opportunities for faculty and staff, contact campusrecreation@cofc.edu.
