Motion Minutes is a new initiative at the University of Manitoba that invites educators, facilitators, and presenters to integrate short; intentional movement breaks into teaching and learning environments, whether in person or in virtual settings.
Grounded in the University’s Strategic Plan commitment to fostering a culture of belonging, well-being, and inclusion, Motion Minutes offer a practical, evidence-informed way to support engagement, focus, and wellness across classrooms, meetings, and workshops.
Research shows that movement breaks can enhance engagement, increase enjoyment of learning, and strengthen social connection. Motion Minutes bring this evidence to life through short, accessible videos designed for real-world teaching contexts.
Motion Minutes are short (3–5 minute) videos that guide participants through simple movement breaks. They are designed for classes, workshops, meetings, and presentations, particularly where participants remain seated for long periods.
The initiative includes three types of movement breaks:
Accessibility is central to the design of all Motion Minutes. Each video includes modifications for different fitness levels, with seated options and adaptations for a range of movement needs. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel comfortable and appropriate for their health.
All videos have also been reviewed for safety by a clinical exercise physiologist.
Motion Minutes are designed to integrate naturally into a range of teaching and facilitation contexts, including on-campus, on-line, blended, and dual-mode learning environments. They can be embedded into lectures, incorporated into workshops and used to open or close meetings.
Instructors and facilitators may choose to briefly introduce the purpose of these movement breaks, highlighting their role in reducing sedentary time, supporting well-being, and providing a cognitive reset. Participants can also be invited to select the type of break that best suits the moment, helping to foster shared engagement in the learning experience.
Cheryl and Meaghan shared that Motion Minutes could not have been what it is today without the help of many faculty and staff from the university.
Together, they describe Motion Minutes as a simple yet meaningful practice, one that supports engagement, reinforces well-being, and reflects a broader commitment to creating learning environments where students and educators can thrive.
Motion Minutes continues to grow, with new videos currently in development. You can explore the existing collection online and watch for upcoming additions designed to bring even more movement into teaching and learning spaces.
The videos are hosted on the University of Manitoba’s open digital publishing platform, e-Scholarship, as well as on Merlot and YouTube, and may be used under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND license.
Motion Minutes - because moving feels awesome and you deserve to feel great!
Acknowledgements:
At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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