A series of workshops exploring the health benefits of yoga, meditation, art, and sound therapy will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13 in room N100, the Curran Community Center, at Gateway Community College (GCC).

The GCC Wellness Center is coordinating the workshops for students, faculty and staff to learn about and benefit from holistic approaches to healing the mind and body. A grant by the Connecticut Statewide Healthy Campus Initiative provided funding for the workshops. The initiative, created by the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, is aimed to help campuses implement on-campus activities to positively impact the campus community environment.

Art, meditation, yoga, and sound therapy sessions will be offered throughout the event, providing an opportunity to explore different approaches to enhancing health. The OM Center in Watertown will be leading the meditation, yoga, and sound therapy. Art therapy is being offered through the Connecticut Art Therapy Association.

Dana Albert, M.S, NCC, a counselor in the GCC Wellness Center, said that the event will specifically address how to incorporate natural healing practices into a busy lifestyle.

“I am very excited that we’ve had the opportunity to partner with the CT Healthy Campus Initiative and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services on the Opioid Education and Awareness Program grant to make this event possible for members of our community. My hope is to open doors for students, staff, or faculty to holistic and different ways to manage obstacles, like pain or stress, and promote a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle for anyone who may be interested.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation can provide a path to relaxation and feelings of peace. When someone is comfortable with the practice, they can call upon meditation techniques during stressful periods. Emotional benefits include greater clarity, improved self-awareness, and increased patience.

Sound healing is an ancient practice used for pain relief and to improve health. Voice vibrations, as well as vibrations from objects like tuning forks, gongs, and Tibetan singing bowls, can be used to provide relaxation. Practitioners of sound therapy may employ relaxing or stimulating sounds to meet the needs of clients.

There are many health applications for art therapy and its benefits continue to be explored. Improved cognitive function and enhanced self-awareness are just two of the benefits noted by the Connecticut Art Therapy Association.

About the Gateway Community College Wellness Center

The GCC Wellness Center offers holistic wrap-around case management services in an inclusive and judgment free environment. It supports student development in problem-solving skills, coping techniques and self-advocacy. Counseling sessions are provided in a supportive, empathetic, collaborative, and confidential environment. For more information, please call (203) 285-2480 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..