Student Affairs

Penn State hosts events, programs for ‘Love Your Body’ Week

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Celebrate your body during Penn State’s annual Love Your Body Week, running from Oct. 24 to 28.

Love Your Body Week features programming dedicated to promoting healthy body image through education, awareness, reflection and self-love. It is a collaboration between four Student Affairs units — Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW), the Gender Equity Center, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity and Campus Recreation.

Love Your Body Week is open to all Penn State students, staff, faculty and community members. All are invited to attend the free events and activities to help embrace a healthy body image, learn more about resources, and gain skills to support the community. Events include:

Presentations

  • “How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder” talk — noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 in 134 HUB-Robeson Center

    • Registered dietitian Kelly Hoffheins will host an interactive workshop to teach students how to engage with a friend who may be struggling with an eating disorder. Hoffheins will discuss relevant campus resources and methods to foster a body-positive environment.
  • Intuitive Eating Workshop — 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 in 134 HUB-Robeson Center
    • Hoffheins will host an interactive workshop about intuitive eating – an evidence-based, mind-body health approach that teaches you how to create a healthy relationship with your food, mind and body. Participants will learn the 10 principles of intuitive eating and a mindful eating practice.
  • Keynote Speaker Schuyler Bailar — 7 p.m. on Oct. 26 in Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center
    • Schuyler Bailar is an educator, author, advocate and the first transgender athlete on an NCAA division one men’s team. Bailar will discuss radical body acceptance, eating disorders and recovery, as well as the intersections of body image, eating disorders and gender and body dysmorphia within the LGBTQ community
  • “Costumes, Cultural Appropriation, Candy and Consent” talk — 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 in 134 HUB-Robeson Center

Body-positive fitness classes

Monday, Oct. 24

  • Upper Body Strength, 4:15 to 5 p.m. in 124/125 IM Building — This Campus Rec-sponsored class utilizes a variety of equipment to strengthen the upper body and core. Students are encouraged to come build their core, strengthen their posture and boost their confidence in Upper Body Strength.
  • Yoga and Meditation, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in 107 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center – Experience a mind-body connection through this HPW-sponsored practice hosted by Latisha Franklin.
  • Barbell Strength, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in 124/125 IM Building — Barbell Strength, sponsored by Campus Rec, uses body positive music to immerse clients in the strength of movement and muscle. It will help participants appreciate how being strong looks different for everybody.
  • Core, 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. in 124/125 IM Building — Those interested in strengthening the muscles in their abdominals and backs to upbeat music can take part in this group exercise class, sponsored by Campus Rec.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

  • Total Body Fit, 4:15 to 5 p.m. in 7 IM Building — Total Body Fit combines cardio exercises and bodyweight conditioning. Including both progressions and regressions for each exercise, the class – sponsored by Campus Rec – is ideal for all fitness levels.
  • Zumba, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in 7 IM Building — Zumba, an aerobic fitness class performed to music, is a great representation of body positivity. The movements and music are typically inspired by Latin American dance. The class is sponsored by Campus Rec.

Wednesday, Oct. 26

  • Barre, 3 to 3:45 p.m. in 16 IM Building — This class, sponsored by Campus Rec, focuses on posture and core strength. It will also include discussion on how posture can change mindset.
  • Pilates, 4:15 to 5 p.m. in 16 IM Building — Pilates is a core strengthening workout that focuses on posture’s role in strengthening other movements and activities. The class is sponsored by Campus Rec.
  • Yoga and Meditation, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in 107 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, sponsored by HPW, hosted by Latisha Franklin

Thursday, Oct. 27

  • Zumba, 5:30 p.m. in 7 IM Building, sponsored by Campus Rec
  • Yoga and Meditation, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in the Frizzell Room of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, sponsored by HPW, hosted by Sima Farage

Friday, Oct. 28

  • Yogalates, 12:15 p.m. in 16 IM Building — Yogalates offers participants the stretching and relaxation of yoga and the core-strengthening of Pilates. This body-positive practice, sponsored by Campus Rec, seeks to boost participants’ confidence on a comprehensive level.

Students can sign up for the Campus Rec classes online. The HPW classes, as well as additional information about Love Your Body Week, can be found here. All of the Love Your Body week events can be found on the Student Affairs event calendar. There will also be tabling at the HUB-Robeson Center and the IM Building to help connect students with information and resources.

Love Your Body Week events are funded by the Laura R. Whitaker Fund.

Last Updated October 17, 2022

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