UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A week of events celebrating body positivity and self-love is returning to campus Nov. 6 through Nov. 10.
By promoting body positivity, Love Your Body Week focuses on empowering individuals to prioritize their mental, emotional and physical health with a goal of fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
The Student Affairs initiative is a collaboration between the Gender Equity Center, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Campus Recreation and Health Promotion and Wellness.
“Love Your Body Week is an important event that promotes self-acceptance, body positivity, and overall well-being. It serves as a reminder to embrace and appreciate our bodies in all their diverse forms,” said Evan Williams, director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. “This week-long celebration encourages individuals to reject societal beauty standards, challenge body shaming, and cultivate a healthy relationship with their bodies.”
Embrace Your Roots – 6-8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 8 HUB-Robeson Center (Lion’s Lair)
Join us for a conversation about experiences with Black hair, style ideas and advocating in the face of hair discrimination, moderated by Wende’ Ferguson with Janita Kilgore, Mia Marshall and Markeea Hart.
Yoga and Meditation – 12:30-1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 232 HUB-Robeson Center
Exercise your body and mind with a session led by Sima Farage, RYT 200.
Power Remix – 12:30-1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 124 IM Building
Come join the party each day by dancing to all of your favorite songs. This class mixes traditional dance styles with modern dance fitness routines for a fun, upbeat workout. Get ready to sweat but have a blast doing it.
Total Body Fitness – 9-9:45 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 117 White Building
Total Body FIT is part cardio and part bodyweight conditioning. The cardio can be an assortment of cardio exercises and the added weighted movements will allow you to leave at the class both sweaty and satisfied. This class is ideal for all fitness levels, and it includes progressions and regressions for each exercise.
HIIT – 3-3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 124 IM Building
High Intensity Interval Training is a fitness class that combines bursts of high intensity work with short bursts of recovery (work-to-rest ratio). This is a high-intensity class, but modifications for all fitness levels will be given.
Yoga and Meditation – 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 122 Pasquerilla
Find your center with a session led by Sima Farage, RTY 200.
Storytelling as Activism Workshop – 3-4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, Flex Theatre, HUB-Robeson Center
Get involved and learn how to incorporate your stories with your active self. St. Clair Detrick-Jules will lead this session prior to her keynote address.
My Beautiful Black Hair – 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, Flex Theatre, HUB-Robeson Center
Hear a powerful message from St. Clair Detrick-Jules, an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, author, activist, and public speaker. She captures personal stories and intimate moments centering Black liberation, immigrant justice, and women's rights. An Afro-Caribbean artist who remains rooted in her community, St. Clair grounds her work in radical love, joy and the knowledge that a more just world is possible.
Yoga and Meditation – 3:30-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, 122 Pasquerilla
Exercise your body and mind with Latisha Franklin, RYT 200.
Zumba – 5:30-6:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, 7 IM Building
Zumba is a Latin and international rhythm inspired dance-cardio class. Time goes so fast you won't even know you are working out! No dance experience necessary.
Power Remix – 4:15-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, 124 IM Building
Come join the party each day by dancing to all of your favorite songs. This class mixes traditional dance styles with modern dance fitness routines for a fun, upbeat workout. Get ready to sweat but have a blast doing it.