Set Yourself Up for Success This Semester: Free weekly Zoom Yoga for UMA Faculty and Staff

UMA faculty and staff, come join a free, weekly Zoom yoga class every Tuesday from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. ET. This accessible, trauma-informed class is open to all experience levels and designed to support stress relief, focus, and overall well-being during the semester.

Trauma-informed yoga is a gentle, supportive practice that prioritizes safety, choice, and comfort, allowing participants to move and rest in ways that feel right for them. Our class is designed to help you build steadiness, focus, and resilience as the semester unfolds. No experience required. No flexibility expectations. Just real support for real life.

One student recently shared how powerful the class was — not just for them, but for their partner, who joined in feeling skeptical and left completely changed:

“Although the practice was simple, the impact was huge.”

After a few minutes, that skepticism turned into something else entirely:

“Once he was comfortable letting loose and being in the moment, he started to laugh — not out of silliness, but at the fact he was feeling pure relief in his whole body.”

This class isn’t about perfect poses or performing yoga “the right way.” It’s about learning how to downshift stress, release tension, and reconnect — skills that directly support learning, focus, and overall well-being.

Participants often leave feeling:

“Deeply relaxed yet energized… like it was 7AM and not 7PM.”

This class offers:

• A simple, trauma-informed yoga practice
• Options for all bodies, abilities, and energy levels
• Clear guidance with no pressure to perform
• Breathwork and movement you can use beyond the mat
• A grounded, accessible approach (yes—even for people who think yoga is “woo woo”)

When & How to Join

🗓️ Every Tuesday

🕔 5:45–6:45 PM (ET)

đź“Ť Live on Zoom (See UMA calendar listing for the link)

đź’» Free for all UMA faculty and staff

Please check the UMA calendar for occasional cancellations or updates.

If you’re looking to start the semester feeling more grounded, focused, and supported, this is a powerful place to begin. You don’t need special gear, prior experience, or a quiet mind—just show up.

As one student shared:

“You have made an effort to make yoga accessible to everyone—and for that I am thankful.”

We hope you’ll join us.

— Sarah

Please email sarah.hentges@maine.edu to get the Zoom link at least 30 minutes before class starts.

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 12 noon – 1:30 PM
Location: Virtual Event via ZOOM (This event is open to the public. .)

UMA will hold a Health Equity Dialogue on October 29, 2020 as a virtual panel and round table discussion. Health equity is the justice principle that everyone should have an equal opportunity to achieve health. The goal of the Health Equity Dialogues is to convene and connect scholars, community members, public health professionals, and healthcare practitioners across disciplinary divides and siloes to work on high-priority community health challenges in Maine.

In this facilitated dialogue, a panel of health systems and community health leaders from across Maine will explore the following topic: How are local health systems leaders and public health officials working for health equity in their regions and communities? This round table discussion will include local leaders in various regions of the state who will discuss priority areas and challenges to ending health inequities with place-based and community-led strategies.

Katherine Weatherford Darling, UMA Assistant Professor of Sociology, will moderate the discussion and panelists will include:

• Brendan Schauffler, Oxford County Wellness Collaborative
• Jason Parent, Aroostook County Action Program
• Ben Hummel, Maine Mobile Healt
• Melissa Fochesato, Midcoast Healt
• Paula Tomson, CDC Central District Liaison
• Alfred May, CDC Eastern District Liaiso
• Jamie Paul, CDC Western District Liaison

Event Co-Sponsors: Maine Public Health Association, UMA WICCD (Women Invigorating the Curriculum and Cultivating Diversity), UMA Student Government Association, and UMA Student Success Mini-Grant Program.

A link to join via ZOOM will be emailed to you. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Joseph Spiller at joseph.spiller@maine.edu to make the necessary arrangements.

Are you curious about how society makes us sick? Confused about the healthcare system? Concerned about the health and well-being of your community and relational partners?

Do you want to learn skills to improve your own health communication?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out these new online courses.

We welcome students from all programs, especially those interested in pursuing health-related careers including public health, nursing, dental health, social work, or medicine.

In addition, save the date for the Spring Health Equity Speaker Series, Thursdays from 12-1 pm during the Spring ’20 semester. Health equity is a justice principle that means that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The Health Equity Speaker series aims to build an interdisciplinary campus community with a shared commitment to health equity in Maine. Open to all UMA students, faculty, staff and community members interested in health inequities.

E-mail your suggestions for speakers or topics to katherine.darling@maine.edu.