Wellbeing & Faith-Specific Consultations

The Chapel is a centre of the college’s wellbeing activities, which include sessions of Meditation for Wellbeing in Movement and Stillness, and Yoga. These activities are open not merely to current members of the JCR, MCR and SCR, but also our alumni.

Please do reach out to the Chapel Director, if you would like to recommend the trial of a new technique or teacher.

Faith-Specific Consultations

Recognising the importance of individual beliefs and faiths, the Chapel Director is able to provide referral to faith-specific Chaplains and priests to help students navigate any religious or spiritual concerns.

Contact the Chapel Director

Yoga

In Michaelmas Term 2025, our Yoga sessions takes place on Mondays in the Chapel with Senior Yoga Teacher of Yoga Alliance, Mariella De Martini. On occasion, cover is provided by Yoga practitioners Dr. Daria Ricchi and Daniela Tramonti. 

1st Session – 5:30-6:30pm
2nd Session – 6:30-7:30pm

Read more about our Yoga Sessions with Mariella. 

Participant Reflections:

“It is the perfect way to end a Monday. It really helps with my posture, especially when sitting in front of a computer for most of the day. The teacher is wonderful and offers different levels depending on ability.”

Meditation for Wellbeing in Movement & Stillness 

In Michaelmas Term 2025, our Meditation sessions will run weekly in the Somerville College Chapel and on Port Meadow, all with UKCP registered Psychotherapist specialising in Ecopsychology, Ally Stott.

Read more about our Meditation for Wellbeing in Movement & Stillness sessions with Ally. 

Meditation Dates and Times:

All sessions begin at 3.30pm on Thursday afternoons (apart from Weeks 3, 6 & 7)

• Week 1: 16th October – Meadow
• Week 2: 23^rd October  – Chapel
• Week 3: 28^th October  – Meadow (Tuesday)
• Week 4: 6^th November  – Chapel
• Week 5: 13^th November – Dusk Meadow Meditation
• Week 6: 17^th November – Chapel (Monday) 
• Week 7: 25^th November – Chapel (Tuesday) 
• Week 8: 4^th December – Chapel

Off-Site Sessions:
For sessions on the Meadow, please meet at the entrance to Port Meadow at the end of Walton Well Rd, 10 mins before the start time to give yourself time to arrive and transition. Please bring an extra layer warm layer with you for the cooler months. To support our practices, phones will be off for the duration of the sessions.

Health & Safety:  
Please note that, in taking part in our off-site sessions, you will be taking responsibility for your own health and safety, as well as maintaining an awareness of the health and safety of others.

Participant Reflections:

“I really appreciated the port meadow meditation session I came to! It was just lovely and so calming to take a space to move slowly and just exist in a place. I didn’t expect to like being asked about my thoughts/experiences while we were there, but I did actually find it interesting and affirming in a way to put into words…”