University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing

09/03/2026

You've got a long weekend on the horizon. Go green!

09/01/2026

Hey Spider-Man! How do you prioritize your own wellbeing when you're so busy helping others and fighting supervillians?

08/26/2026

Anxiety can be debilitating. Hear from Isaiah, a student at the University, who wrote a poem about how anxiety feels and what you can do to better manage it.

Learn more about anxiety and emotional regulation on Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing at takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/holistic-approach-anxiety

08/25/2026

Come visit us at the Great Minnesota Get Together! 🎡

The Bakken Center will be at the University of Minnesota Crossroads Building on August 31 in the afternoon and evening. Stop by to learn about our programming and wellbeing resources as well as receive fun giveaways!

Wondering what else to check out at the fair on August 31?

-Kim Christensen, faculty at the Bakken Center, will be providing a self-acupressure demo at 2 p.m. Central on the stage located in front of the University of Minnesota Crossroads building facing Dan Patch Avenue.

-Minnesota for Mental Health Awareness will be holding an event all day at Dan Patch Park near the State Fair Grandstand. Hear live music, play games, and meet amazing people who are making it okay to talk about mental health. For more information, visit: https://www.mentalhealthatthefair.org/

08/19/2026

Giveaway Closed: Feeling inspired and want the chance to learn Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction from Chance York or one of our other experienced facilitators this fall? Comment below or share this post, letting us know what you want to learn! One lucky winner will receive 1 spot to a MBSR session of their choice this fall.

Register now for the Fall 2026 session at z.umn.edu/mbsr

08/19/2026

From our friends at the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health.

🎉The Academic Consortium Celebrates Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer’s Impact As She Announces Her Retirement 🎉

The Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota has announced the retirement of its founder and director, Mary Jo Kreitzer, PhD, RN, FAAN, effective January 4, 2027.

Under Mary Jo's leadership, the Center has become a model for interdisciplinary collaboration and has nurtured thousands of leaders and learners in integrative medicine. For over 30 years she has served as a transformational leader - advancing whole health, well-being, and integrative health education.

As one of the founding members of the Academic Consortium, and one of the organization's most impactful leaders, Dr. Kreitzer's contributions are innumerable. She has served as a Chair of the Board of Directors, lead the planning of several International Congresses and Members Meetings, and serves as an integral member of the Senior Leadership Group. In 2013, Mary Jo was awarded the Bravewell Distinguished Service Award for her tremendous commitment to the Academic Consortium and her contributions to the organization.

The Academic Consortium Board of Directors, staff, and entire member community extends its gratitude to Mary Jo for her leadership in field and in the organization. We are so lucky to have worked alongside her, learned from her, and been inspired by her for more than three decades. Her impact will be felt for years to come.

Congratulations on your retirement, Mary Jo! We're grateful for the opportunity to continue collaborating with you in this new and exciting chapter of your life!

➡️ Learn more: https://ow.ly/Y7XF50ZzYUI

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08/18/2026

Have you ever felt sound move through your body? Catch a glimpse of what a sound bath is like in this video.

University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students, unwind with us this September at a free sound bath! Register at z.umn.edu/hearthealingevents

Video description: Throughout the video, viewer can hear and see visuals of instruments being played during a sound bath.

08/13/2026

As the air cools and leaves begin to turn, trees in autumn teach us a vital lesson in letting go while staying rooted, demonstrating that release is a natural and necessary part of life's cycle. Whether you're seeking rest, renewal, or inspiration, join us on September 30, 2026 at 12 p.m. Central to attune to your inner energy and the natural world.

Register for the free ‘Honoring Fall: Invoking Our Kinship with Trees’ webinar at z.umn.edu/hearthealingevents

08/12/2026

Did you know that plants cause what they cure and cure what they cause? 🌱 Register for our hands-on course CSPH 5423 Botanical Medicines: Foundations and Practical Applications this fall to see the actual plants growing outside in the wild, learn how they are prepared and getting to make preparations to take home.

Learn more about the course on Schedule Builder https://schedulebuilder.umn.edu/explore/2026Fall/CSPH/5423/

08/05/2026

Ensuring your website is accessible for everyone is important, but how do you do that? One way is by adding headings to every page. Micki Fasteland, our instructional designer, shares more about this important accessibility tool for website builders.

Check out the University of Minnesota’s Office for Digital Accessibility headings guide at https://accessibility.umn.edu/guides-resources/7-core-accessibility-skills/headings




Video description: Micki Fasteland, a white woman with long brown hair and glasses, talks to the camera about accessibility. Micki sits in a chair in an office setting while wearing a sweater vest layered over a white blouse.