Wellness for a Cause

SportsKatrina Tortorici — Published November 1, 2011

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, students from the Exercise Science program are hosting Wellness Week, an event aimed at raising money for Movember.

Anyone who wishes to participate can take spinning, yoga, pilates, and zumba classes taught by volunteer instructors.

For a donation of $10.00, students can sign up for any class of their choice, and for a $20.00 donation, they can sign up for an unlimited amount of classes.
In addition, relaxation massages will be offered throughout the week.

Those donating $20.00 have the option of a 30-minute massage given by an athletic therapy student.

“Students are stressed these days with exams right around the corner, and we’re offering two great ways to loosen up: exercise and massage, all the while contributing to a great cause,” said Alexandre Elhalwi, an exercise science student and ESSA’s president.

Wellness Week officially came about last fall following two successful exercise science student initiatives: Spin to Save Haiti and the Athletic Therapy Helping Hands Fundraiser, which raised money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

“So far, the Wellness Week group has raised money for organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and the Tony Proudfoot Fund,” Elhalwi said. “Since it all started, we’ve raised approximately $20,000 for these charities.”

This year, the main organizer for Wellness Week is Stefania Nudo, a third-year exercise science student. Elhalwi is also assisted by five other fellow exercise science students.

“Our student association and independent student groups have done a great job in raising money and awareness during the past few years,” said Sarah Casquinha, a first-year exercise science student volunteer. “I’m happy and proud to be part of a program that has and continues to make a difference.”

In previous years, Wellness Week has been funded entirely by the Arts and Science Federation of Associations, the Concordia Council on Student Life, the Concordia University Small Grants Program, and the Corporation des thérapeutes du sport du Québec. This year, it is being funded by ASFA.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to try new activities and see if they like them, especially for people who might not like to jog or go to the gym,” Elhalwi said. “I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head who doesn’t like massages.”

Those interested in signing up for a class or a massage can visit exciwellnessweek.com and for further information or questions can contact exci.wellnessweek@gmail.com.