Four units of Penn State Student Affairs — the Gender Equity Center, Campus Recreation, Health Promotion and Wellness, and the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity — are collaborating to host “Love Your Body Week” from October 24 to 28.
The week will feature programs dedicated to promoting a healthy body image through education, awareness, reflection, and self-love. The week will be open to all Penn State students, staff, faculty, and community members wanting to further their knowledge on embracing a healthy body image and learn more about important resources.
Here is the list of events for the week:
Monday, October 24
Dietitian Kelly Hoffheins will host the “How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder” lecture from noon to 1 p.m. in HUB room 134.
Hoffheins’ talk will feature an interactive workshop that teaches students how to engage with a friend who may be struggling with an eating disorder and discuss the relevant campus resources and methods to foster a body-positive environment.
Body-positive fitness classes will be held, too. An upper body strength class will be held in room 124/125 of the IM building from 4:15 to 5 p.m.
Folks can attend a yoga and meditation session and experience a mind-body connection with Latisha Franklin from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in 107 Pasquerilla.
A barbell strength class will be held in room 124/125 of the IM building from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. as well. Monday’s events will end with a core class in room 124/125 of the IM building from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25
Hoffheins will host another workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 134 in the HUB.
It will discuss intuitive eating, which is an evidence-based, mind-body health approach that teaches how to create a healthy relationship with food, body, and mind. Participants will learn about the 10 principles of intuitive eating and gain mindful eating practices.
Total Body Fit, a course that combines cardio exercises and bodyweight conditioning, will also be held from 4:15 to 5 p.m. in room 7 of the IM Building. Tuesday’s events will conclude with participants busting a move on the dance floor with a Zumba class from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in room 7 of the IM Building.
Wednesday, October 26
Educator, author, advocate, and the first transgender athlete on an NCAA division one men’s team, Schuyler Bailar, will speak at 7 p.m. in the HUB’s Freeman Auditorium.
Bailar will discuss radical body acceptance, eating disorders, and recovery. Additionally, Bailar will talk about the intersections of body image, eating disorders, gender, and body dysmorphia that affect the LGBTQ+ community.
A barre class is scheduled from 3 to 3:45 p.m. in room 16 of the IM Building. Afterward, a pilates class will be held from 4:15 to 5 p.m. in the same location.
Participants can end the day with another yoga and meditation from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in 107 Pasquerilla with Latisha Franklin.
Thursday, October 27
A “Costumes, Cultural Appropriation, Candy and Consent” talk is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. in room 134 in the HUB, just in time for Halloween weekend.
Participants can jump back onto the dance floor with another Zumba class at 5:30 p.m. in room 7 of the IM Building.
If you missed the first two, the third session of yoga and meditation will be held from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in the Frizzell Room of Pasquerilla. This one will be hosted by Sima Farage.
Friday, October 28
Friday will end the week with “Yogalates,” a class that offers participants the stretching and relaxation of yoga combined with the core strengthening of pilates. Yogalates will kick off at 12:15 p.m. in room 16 of the IM Building.
Participants can sign up for the fitness classes online on the Student Affairs website.
