With four weeks until final exams and the stress of the end of semester seeping in, Gateway Community College (GCC) students learned how to calm their nerves naturally November 13 during a series of holistic healing workshops. 

Yoga, meditation, art, and sound therapy sessions offered students the chance to try different relaxation techniques to see which methods might offer the greatest benefits to meet their individual needs and preferences.  Three hours of workshops were offered in the Curran Community Center at GCC, where faculty and staff were invited to join in for any amount of time that matched their schedules.

The GCC Wellness Center coordinated the workshops to educate the college community about 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 implement on-campus activities to positively impact the campus community environment. 

Caroline Heilbroner-Hammel of Albertus Magnus/Connecticut Art Therapy Association invited participants to decorate small cards using colored pencils, crayons, markers or paint sticks and a combination of inspirational words.  Kristina Carey and Susan Greene from the OM Center in Watertown created a tranquil escape for participants to experience yoga, meditation, and sound therapy sessions.

Student Rewas Muhajir decided to try sound healing and art therapy and found them to be ideal for quieting her mind and providing much needed serenity. 

“It was a new, opening experience for me to remember.  I felt very relaxed, focused on myself more, along with my needs, instead of feeling uneasy about what’s happening in my life,” Rewas said. 

Student Ozzy Olaleye also stopped by to try alternative approaches to relaxation during a break in his class schedule.  

“The event was a beautiful calming experience, a truly cathartic time,” Ozzy said.

Dozens of students who came out to the event got the chance to see how effective holistic healing methods can be for self-care.  Dana Albert, M.S, NCC, a counselor in the GCC Wellness Center, noted that the event concluded with a healing exercise that reinforced the message.

“I am so appreciative of all students, faculty, and staff who came out to participate in our workshops. It was truly magical to see students prioritizing their wellness and trying new experiences to cope with the stressors of school and life, and I could not have asked for better instructors to lead us all on that journey.”

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..