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

06/01/2026

Exciting news! New study from the Center’s Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program in JAMA Internal Medicine today - Spinal Manipulation and Clinician-Supported Self-Management for Preventing Chronic Low Back Pain Impact.

Conducted by Dr. Gert Bronfort, Dr. Brent Leininger, Dr. Roni Evans, Linda Hanson, Craig Schulz,and colleagues, this study questioned if non-drug options provided by physical therapists or chiropractors are more effective than guideline-based medical care for preventing chronic impactful low back pain (LBP) at 1 year.

Read more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2849746

05/27/2026

“Many of us have been taught that being an adult means living a life filled with responsibility, hard work, seriousness, and in many cases a high level of stress and/or misery. What we are not taught nearly as often is that as humans, play is an important part of our mammalian existence.”

But how do we incorporate play back into our lives as adults? Read the new article on Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing to learn how to do just that!

Many of us have been taught (either directly or indirectly) that being an adult means living a life filled with responsibility, hard work, seriousness, and in many cases a high level of stress and/or misery. What we are not taught nearly as often is that as humans, play is an important part of our m...

05/21/2026

Want to hear stories from a photographer who has spent 50 years photographing Lake Superior? Then join us on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 12–1 p.m. Central for a free webinar, ‘SUPERIOR: A 50-Year Photographic Journey with Craig Blacklock’. Craig Blacklock will share photographs, stories behind them, lessons learned while traveling alone by kayak, and the profound benefits we can all gain from a relationship with the natural world—directly or through images.

Register for this free webinar at z.umn.edu/wellbeingwebinars

05/21/2026

It's okay to need support and to let it all out 🫂 Talk to someone this Mental Health Action Day 📱

05/20/2026

Congratulations to our Health Coaching graduates! We celebrated their achievement at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing ’s Commencement Ceremony last week, which featured one of our graduates, Dola Greene, as a commencement speaker. We are so proud of all of our students and look forward to seeing the impact you make!

Listen to Dola Greene’s full speech at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLkNabKtIB0

05/19/2026

Our Mindful Mondays summer sessions begin soon! ☀️ Join us every Monday this summer from 12 - 1 p.m. Central on Zoom for expert lead guided mindfulness meditation and gentle movement practices.

Mindful Mondays are free and open to the public. Register for summer sessions at z.umn.edu/MindfulMondays

05/19/2026

05/15/2026

“While the arts have of course played a critical role in civilizations for centuries, we are just beginning to understand all the ways in which they support health and healing, wellbeing and flourishing in individuals and communities,” said Sue Nankivell, Bakken Center Director of Business Development and Community Relations.

Center Founder and Director Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer is also quoted.

A Minnesota sound garden explores how meandering through trees – immersed in music – can benefit brains and bodies.

05/15/2026

Aging isn’t a special interest group, and it isn’t the problem. Ageism is.

Center friend Dr. Rajean Moone, Faculty Director, Long-Term Care Administration for Professionals in University of Minnesota College of Continuing & Professional Studies, shares about ageism in a commentary in the Star Tribune.

"Aging is not a special interest group. It is a universal human experience. Every policy choice, workplace norm and cultural message that diminishes older adults ultimately diminishes all of us," Rajean Moone writes.

05/14/2026

When planting your garden this spring, try planting a few native plants! As our Instructional Designer, Micki Fasteland, shares, it’s a great way to contribute positively to your native ecosystem.