Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer Toggle Navigation Menu

Spring Bloom

Attend Spring Bloom with your well-being in mind

Spring Bloom 2025 will be held May 19 through May 23

For a full list of offerings visit Spring Bloom 2025 Session Descriptions.

Register for these events and more using the Spring Bloom 2025 Registration Form

Tuesday, May 20

movemindfully Fundamentals: Mind-Body Strategies for Adults

10:00 – 11:00 with Kathy Flaminio, Founder and CEO of movemindfully

Location: Old Main, 4th Floor Lounge

WHAM understands that everyday stressors take a toll on all of us, making our overall health and well-being a priority. In this session you’ll experience simple Breathe Move Rest practices for your own physical, emotional, and mental health. During this session explore ways to take care of yourself using easy-to-implement practices to effectively activate the relaxation response. Walk away with simple strategies to use throughout the day.

Kathy Flaminio, LGSW, MSW, E-RYT 200 is the founder of movemindfully. She is the creator of movemindfully training, workshops, products, and curricula that teach trauma-responsive, mind-body practices for self-regulation, focus, and overall well-being. With a master’s degree in social work, Kathy holds more than 20 years of experience in Minneapolis Public Schools and was adjunct faculty for Saint Mary’s University. Kathy has trained over 75,000 professionals in mindfulness, movement, and social-emotional skills strategies and has partnered with M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, United Hospital, St. Paul Children’s Hospital, and Center for Families Outpatient/Prairie Care. She is co-author of Moving Mountains: An Integrative Manual to Help Youth with Intensity, Reactivity and Anxiety, and of the Teen Resiliency Program with Dr.Henry Emmons, Dr. Timothy Culbert and associates.

Reuse Center Service Project

10:00 – 11:30 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: 1550 Summit (Basement of Laura Jeffries Academy)

Reimagine, repurpose, and organize! Come support Macalester’s sustainability initiative focused on reuse, and spend time building community while volunteering at 1550 Summit – Macalester’s Reuse Center. This project tackles environmental challenges head-on by promoting a culture of reuse in our community. We’ve built a service that connects students who have unwanted items after move-out, with new students who can give them a second life.  Foster connections by volunteering with colleagues to help organize the space and look for some excellent thrifted items to reuse yourself.

Wednesday, May 21

Posture, Low Back & Building Better Bones

9:00 – 9:50 with Janice Novak, Masters in Health and Physical Education, author, speaker and wellness consultant

Location: Zoom

WHAM invites those who want to learn how to improve their posture, STOP lower back pain and prevent the rounding that occurs with age. Have you ever caught sight of your reflection in a window or mirror to see that your head leads the way? Or noticed that your shoulders and upper back are too rounded forward? You’ll learn simple techniques to stand straighter instantly. We will do specific exercises to help flatten your upper back, straighten your shoulders and strengthen your abdominal muscles, WITHOUT getting on the floor! We’ll talk about how to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and related injuries, and how to re-gain bone mass. We’ll discuss the latest research findings on nutrition and talk about which forms of calcium are better absorbed; importance of magnesium, vitamin D and trace minerals for bone health; foods that help and/or harm your bones and more. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Janice Novak has a Masters Degree in Health & Physical Education. She is an internationally acclaimed, best selling author, speaker and wellness consultant who teaches workshops and seminars for hospitals, corporations and professional organizations.  She teaches simple steps that lead to powerful changes in how you look and feel. Janice regularly presents health segments on television and radio, including a guest spot on the Oprah Winfrey Show discussing her best selling book, “Posture, Get It Straight!”.

Awesome Sauces Around the World

11:00 – 12:00 with Chef Larry P. Canepa

Location: Zoom

Tired of the same old bland meals? Ready to elevate your cooking from ordinary to extraordinary? Sauces are the pinnacle of a chef’s achievement requiring study and practice to master. A great saucier must have a discriminating palate and the ability to understand how to build depth and harmony into a sauce. World influences from Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Mediterranean, along with the public’s appetite for new and exciting tastes, has driven sauces in many different directions, and brought an array of flavors and endless possibilities to their preparation and pairing. Explore the history of the World’s Greatest sauces, the basics of sauce making and everyday uses.

Chef Larry P. Canepa is a Certified Culinary Educator and Le Cordon Bleu Chef, author, researcher, food historian and lecturer of culinary topics.

Tennis 101: Learn, Play and Compete!

12:00 – 1:00 with Johnny Yang, Residence Hall Director and Coach

Location: Outdoor Tennis Courts

Whether you have years of experience or are brand new to the game of tennis, come out and serve up some of your game! I’ll teach you grips, strokes, movement, and how to score. We will practice swings, perform drills and match play. We’ll have orange balls, green dots and yellow balls for a lot of playing ability! Tennis rackets and tennis balls will be provided!

Grow Plants, Grow Community: Volunteer in our Community Garden

1:00 – 3:00 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: MULCH Garden (Located near the Spanish Language House; Access from Macalester Street, across from the Baseball field)

Calling all green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts! We’re inviting volunteers to join us for a day of camaraderie and connection in the Mulch Garden – a space open to members of campus and the local community. No experience needed, just bring your positive energy! We’ll be weeding, planting, and beautifying this shared green space. It’s a great way to:

  • Get some exercise in the sunshine.
  • Learn about the campus food access initiatives.
  • Meet colleagues and make new friends.

You’ll leave with dirty hands and a happy heart. Please wear comfortable clothing, bring sunscreen, a hat and a water bottle.

Thursday, May 22

Air Fryer Veggies: From Asparagus to Zucchini

11:00 – 12:00 with Kirsten Madaus, Chef and Cooking Instructor

Location: Markim Hall, Davis Court

We all want to eat more vegetables, so learning new ways to make it simpler and easier is a win! Air fryers cook vegetables quickly, with healthy and delicious results! Learn air-fryer basics with recipes using in-season local and/or commonly available vegetables, including lemon pepper broccoli, miso sesame kale chips, and roasted sweet potatoes.

Kirsten Madaus has been eating with local intention and sharing how to make the most of the farm share via her website Farm Fresh Feasts. In addition to sharing her love of Instant Pot and air fryer cooking with folks in person and online, Kirsten spends her days helping fight food insecurity with Minnesota Central Kitchen at Chowgirls Catering.

Community Bike Ride

1:00 – 2:00 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: Meet outside the Library

Gear up for fun! Join WHAM and Sustainability for a community bike ride to the Mississippi River. Enjoy the outdoors, learn about the Macalester Bike Share Program, and get to know the neighborhood. Helmets and bikes will be provided for all that are needed.