Wellness in Motion: A Morning of Mindful Renewal
Ready to hit the reset button? Join the Human Resources Employee Engagement and Retention Team for a morning dedicated entirely to your well-being. This isn’t just another meeting—it’s an immersive experience designed to give you the mental clarity and physical energy you deserve. You’ll walk away with a personalized toolkit of simple, daily habits to help you thrive, both at work and at home.
details
Date:
Thursday, May 14
Time:
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location:
Cone Center,
Lucas Room
schedule
| Time | Program Sessions | Topics and Presenters | Location |
| 8:15 to 8:50 a.m. | Welcome and Check-In | Lucas Room Foyer | |
| 8:50 to 9:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks | Deidra Harris-Lumpkins, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Relations | Lucas Room |
| 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. | Opening Session | Morning Meditation with Tai Chi: Cultivating Mental Clarity and Physical Ease | Lucas Room |
| 10:00 to 10:15 a.m. | Break | ||
| 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. | Break Out Sessions | The 5 Essentials to Health: Why Some People Stay Healthy, While Others Don’t Press, Tap Flow: Unlock Your Body’s Natural Healing Potential Breathing Techniques to Relieve Stress and Improve Health | Cone 208 Cone 210 A Cone 210 B |
| 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. | Break | ||
| 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Closing Session | Journaling Workshop | McKnight Hall |
Wellness session information
Keynote: Morning Meditation with Tai Chi: Cultivating Mental Clarity and Physical Ease
Marie Theriault, RYT-500, Yoga for Cancer, certified teacher of Qigong and Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient practice from China that was created as a martial art for purposes of self-defense. Over the years Tai Chi has been more commonly used as a health-promoting practice that improves physical strength, mind/body coordination, and balance.
In this session, participants will be invited to practice Tai Chi warm-up movements that foster physical health and flexibility, mental clarity, emotional contentment, and personal growth. There will be a focus on body alignment, posture, and gentle movements that loosen stiffness in the body and tension in the mind.
Tai Chi is practiced in secure, flat-bottom footwear such as sneakers or tennis shoes in the standing position to build strength, especially in the legs, and improve balance. Tai Chi can also be practiced from a seated position to focus on coordination and improved breathing.
Medical professionals often recommend Tai Chi to their patients because it is complementary to traditional, health-promoting methods such as physical or occupational therapy, pain management, and rehabilitation. Tai Chi is fast becoming a popular way to exercise that is accessible to any person who desires improved mental and physical health so they can live a happier and healthier life.
Break Out Session: “The 5 Essentials to Health” – Why Some People Stay Healthy, While Others Don’t
Dr. Pat Buchar, founder of Crown City Chiropractic & Wellness
Most healthcare focuses on managing symptoms. Real health is built by strengthening the systems that control how the body heals, adapts, and functions.
Break Out Session: Press, Tap, Flow: Unlock Your Body’s Natural Healing Potential
Marie Theriault, RYT-500, Yoga for Cancer, certified teacher of Qigong and Tai Chi
Qigong is a gentle mind–body energy practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, widely offered in hospitals and wellness centers worldwide. This session introduces Qigong through a brief presentation and experiential practice, including self-massage of acupuncture points to help ease pain, stress, headaches, digestive discomfort, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Participants will also enjoy gentle body tapping to support lymphatic flow and vitality, as well as flowing Qigong movements that can be practiced seated or standing. Flat, comfortable footwear is recommended for those choosing to stand, though most of the session will be seated.
Break Out Session: Breathing Techniques to Relieve Stress and Improve Health
Donna Nealy, founder and executive director of ESTEEM, a non-profit health and wellness organization
Stress can compromise healthy breathing habits, but practicing breath work can reduce anxiety, encourage sleep, and in some cases, lower blood pressure. Participants will experience a variety of quick, easy breathing techniques during this course, and share back their results.
Closing Session: Journaling Workshop
Vernita Edwards, administrative support specialist, UNC Charlotte Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
Miltonjha Grier, licensed clinical social worker, UNC Charlotte Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
Journaling is a powerful, accessible practice that supports mental clarity, emotional balance, and personal well‑being. In closing out our wellness experience, participants will explore how intentional writing can reduce stress, increase self‑awareness, and create space for reflection and emotional release. By slowing down and putting thoughts to paper, journaling helps transform overwhelm into insight and strengthens our ability to cope with daily challenges.