Shenandoah University hosted the first-ever “Mindful Morning” event on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the  James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center. More than 80 participants attended three sessions, including yoga with Christa Joyce of Jala Yoga, pilates with Michelle Dowell of Pilates Connection, and mindfulness with Jill Donnelli-Hu of Dharma Studio. They also interacted with wellness professionals from throughout the region.

The mindfulness event was the vision of Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.

“She wanted an event for both the SU community, but also the outside community,” said Special Projects Coordinator for the President’s Office Janet Gonzalez. “At Shenandoah, we want to promote wellness because we are educators, but we also have a larger role in the health community because of our health professions programs.”

The new James. R. Wilkins, Jr., Athletic & Events Center seemed the perfect place to join the university community with individuals from the external community for a mindfulness event.

“Tracy wants people to know that the Wilkins Athletics & Events Center is not just for the Shenandoah community, it is open to everyone,” said Gonzalez.

About 10 local vendors participated offering massages, energy therapy and information on fitness classes and healthy eating. Participants in the mindfulness event were free to mingle with vendors, walk the new state-of-the-art track, and take part in yoga, Pilates and meditation classes.

Gonzalez commented, “we are all obsessed with [digital] images, messages and information that we don’t take time to breathe and appreciate our surroundings. Mindfulness helps with [managing] distraction and focus, helping us to become more grounded as individuals with healthy minds and bodies.”

When the event concluded, the general consensus of attendees was a feeling of relaxation and balance. Many vendors loved the event and expressed a desire that Shenandoah would host more like it.

Below are descriptions of the individuals who led yoga, Pilates and mindfulness sessions at the event.

Christa Mastrangelo Joyce

Christa is the owner of Jala Yoga. Christa loves to share the gifts that yoga has offered her and to help each person find their own path to this joyful practice. In her classes, you will sweat, gain physical strength, focus on moving with your breath, learn about anatomy and the philosophy of the yoga practice, as well as try something new and hopefully leave feeling renewed and relaxed.

Learn more about Jala Yoga

Michelle Dowell

Michelle’s pilates journey began with finding a way to alleviate back pain caused by scoliosis. Loving the fun of Pilates as well as the study of movement and anatomy, in 2010 she became a Pilates Method Alliance certified teacher and training director. Through her understanding of the struggles associated with less than perfect anatomy, she is able to help clients improve their movement.

Learn more about Pilates Connection

Jill Donnelli-Hu

Owner and Founder of Dharma Studio, Winchester, VA. You can usually catch Jill upside down and trying new and creative approaches to poses. She inspires many and aspires greatly. Students enjoy her detail-oriented cueing and wild playlists. She is a devoted yogi, lover and supporter of the arts, aspiring guitarist and jamming harmonium hack. Teaching students to realize their potential is in her blood and bones. And her love of Yoga and its deep roots and ancient concepts are evident every time she steps on the mat.

Learn more about Dharma Studio

— By Elise O’Neill-Eckman ’19