Wellness Wednesdays

Dr. Lauren Brown is the lead facilitator and Program Coordinator Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga for the Division of Student Life at the University of Toronto. Her Ph.D. research focused on student wellbeing and mental health literacy. Lauren was an inaugural Fellow through the Inlight Student Mental Health Research Initiative at the University of Toronto and holds a B.Ed. and M.Ed. in Adult Education and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching & Learning from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Ian Elliott is a shiatsu massage therapist who has been in practice in Toronto since 2010. Working with what he likes to call "skilled and thoughtful" hands, he has helped people from all walks of life mend and heal. He has been a part of the University of Toronto student massage program at the Multi-Faith Centre since 2016 and also provides his services at the school's yearly Exam Jams. Ian is also a yoga and movement educator and is the owner of Three Branches Wellness.

Maria is a shiatsu massage therapist in Toronto since 2000. She has also provided her services during her travels to Cape Breton, the USA and Greece. Her studies in Shiatsu began in 1998 and after receiving her Diploma in 2000, she still continues to learn and train in extensive post graduate studies. She likes to combine meditation, mindfulness, nature awareness and empathy into her practice. She has been part of the University Of Toronto Student Massage Program since 2014 starting at the Hart House and then moving to the Multi-Faith Centre in 2015.