About
The Well Being Collective @ Hart House is a collaborative initiative that seeks to explore wellness while centering and highlighting the experiences and practices of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized students as well as those of the greater community.
The Collective is about creating space for Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people to explore wellness from a lens that centres their particular experiences, voices, and knowledge as a diverse community. This space and this collaborative aims to support and examine what it means to live and be well through dialogue, movement, and reflection.
Throughout its innaugural season, the Well Being Collective @ Hart House has been honoured to partner with and showcase events and opportunities provided by the Institute for Dance Studies, the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies, Brown Girl Outdoor World, U of T Sport and Rec: Diversity Moves Us, and irise yoga and wellness.
- Olivia Allen .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Let’s collaborate!
Do you have ideas, events, or programs that intersect with the Well Being Collective @ Hart House? We value:
- De-centring whiteness
- Dismantling colonial ideologies and structures
- Diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice
- Accountability
- Accessible and inclusive spaces that foster belonging
- Ensuring the safety of Indigenous, Black and Racialized participants
- Empowering and nourishing programming
- Community centred and informed programming
If you share these values, we want to hear from you. Get in touch to discuss ways in which we can support your programs and events. Promote your projects through our channels, collaborate on events or contribute content to this space. Whatever you have in mind, let’s chat!
Upcoming Events
- Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Barbershop
Hart House Black Futures presents Barbershop – Monthly services for Afro-textured hair
- Thu, Mar 12, 2026
Black Wellness Experience
From Soca-size to self-care, treats to hair trims and massages to marketplace must-haves. This will bring the joy and pampering you need before the exams!
- Fri, Mar 13, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Mar 20, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Mar 27, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Apr 3, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Apr 10, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Apr 17, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
- Fri, Apr 24, 2026
Rest Space
Join us for curated rest space activations to alleviate stress. Disconnect from studies and recoup with sound, massage and restorative movement.
Listen to Podcasts
In Meditation
In Meditation: Ep. 1 - Grounding
Led by Liz C., this meditation will help move awareness away from thoughts and into the body to encourage a felt sense of calmness and relaxation.
In Meditation: Ep. 2 - Resilience
Led by Liz C., this practice taps into what it means to be resilient. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can learn to regulate our reactions.
In Meditation: Ep. 3 - Walking Meditation
Led by Liz C., this walking meditation is designed to help release repetitive thoughts and connect you into your body and the present moment.
In Meditation: Ep. 4 - Self Healing
Led by Bro. Kofi, listeners are guided through a mindfulness meditation and will explore visualizations seeded in self-love.
In Meditation: Ep. 5 - Strength
Led by Bro. Kofi, this meditation uses African drum sounds as it guides listeners through an inner-strength meditation infused with resiliency affirmations.
In Meditation: Ep. 6 - Self Love
Led by Bro. Kofi, listeners are guided through a serene meditation accompanied by self-love affirmations to help boost healthy perspectives and reflections.
In Conversation
In Conversation: EP1 On My Mind
The panelists explore the nuances of mental health and well being while honouring the contributions of Indigenous, Black and Racialized people.
In Conversation: EP. 2 Stolen
Erica Violet Lee, Marycarmen Lara Villaneuva & Tony Luong explore what it means to live and be well as Racialized people in the face of a socially unwell world.
In Conversation: EP3 The Ways We Move
Professor Janelle Joseph, Jahmeek Murray Taylor, Shanèl Dear, and Melissa Doldron take us on a journey of exploring movement and its connection to wellness.
In Conversation: EP4 Nourished
Dr. Amrita Ghai, Idil Farah and Leslie Campbell move beyond macronutrients to take us on a nourishing discussion about food and its connections to wellness.
In Conversation: EP5 I Hold You Close
Jela Tubei, Elvin J. Velasco, Jennifer Lau and Terry Gardiner give us a road map for care and an example of how to hold each other close.
In Conversation: EP 6 Black Beauties
Alica Hall, Brittany Randell, and Matthew Progress chat about Black aesthetics, cultures and creative means of expression and joy.
In Conversation: EP 7 A Beautiful World
The world is a difficult space. Yet, it overflows with deliberate and accidental beauty. Our guests discuss how they create spaces for beauty and wellness.
In the House
In the House: EP1 Picture This W. Olivia Allen
Olivia Allen, Hart House program facilitator who studied art therapy discusses all things art therapy.
In the House: EP2 Every Movement Counts W. Martin Phills
Martin Phills has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. In this episode, Martin shares his experiences in the fitness and broader wellness space.
In the House: EP3 Jenny’s Story W. Jenny Blackbird
Jenny Blackbird shares her experience as an Indigenous person going to school in Toronto and facing the institutions that have marginalize Indigenous people.
In the House: EP4 A Practice of Care W. Jeahlisa Bridgeman
Jeahlisa Bridgeman, registered Social Worker, explores what “care” is and how we can care for ourselves and others, particularly during challenging times.
In the House: EP5 An Introduction W. Rebekah Robinson
Get to know Rebekah Robinson, the co-producer of the Living Well podcast and 4th year U of T student.
In The House: Ep 6 Good science with Daeria Lawson
Health researcher and PhD student, Daeria Lawson, chats about her research, good science, what it is, and its impact on health outcomes.
Watch Videos
Food
Meditation
Embodied Movement Practices
Past Events
- Mon, Feb 23, 2026
Tastes of Culture
How does food teach us about culture, community and wellness? And how does it shape our relationship with the food that sustains us?
- Fri, Feb 6, 2026
Rest is Resistance – Black History Month
Rest is resistance. Join the Well Being Collective @ Hart House for spaces of rest during Black History Month.
- Mon, Oct 6, 2025
Barbershop
Hart House Black Futures presents Barbershop – Monthly services for Afro-textured hair
- Fri, Oct 3, 2025
Wellness Walks
Walk your way to better wellness. Meet new people, discover nearby green spaces and find your connection to the outdoors and a healthier you this semester.
- Sat, Sep 20, 2025
The Reset: Outdoor Wellness Retreat
Students will be exposed to the outdoors, connect with nature and spirituality through reflective meditations and wellness activities, while building community.
Our Team
Olivia Allen
Wellness, Fitness and Recreation Programs Coordinator
Alicia Brown
Marketing, Sales and Membership Engagement Officer
H. R. Martin Phills
Fitness and Wellness Advisor
Rebeckah Price
Wellness Advocate and Yoga Teacher
Partners
