What does it truly mean to be well and lead well — mentally, physically, and emotionally?
Join us for a special edition of New College’s Alumni Speaker Series featuring an engaging conversation between Assistant Professor Elli Weisbaum, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health Program at New College, and Niya Bajaj (BA ’08), a certified holistic yoga therapist, organizational wellbeing strategist, and a narrative medicine facilitator.
With deep expertise in mental health, qualitative research, applied mindfulness, Professor Weisbaum offers research-based perspectives on the science of happiness and emotional wellbeing. Her work focuses on the integration of mindfulness and compassion across key sectors of society, including education, healthcare and business and how these principles can be applied to everyday life, making wellness and flourishing both understandable and accessible.
Drawing from over a decade of experience in holistic yoga therapy, Niya Bajaj blends Eastern and Western wellness philosophies to help individuals and organizations cultivate resilience, self awareness, and purpose. Through her practice, she offers practical tools grounded in breathwork, storytelling, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety.
Together, Elli and Niya will explore the scientific evidence base and practical hands-on practices to enhance personal wellbeing and collective flourishing. Attendees will be guided through interactive practices and activities such as mindful eating and, other hands-on activities designed to integrate wellness into their daily personal and professional lives.
In this session you will:
- Gain practical strategies to support emotional balance and wellbeing
- Learn simple mindfulness techniques and hands-on, guided practices to apply in daily personal and professional contexts
- Develop a deeper understanding of the science behind happiness
- Enjoy a space for connection and reflection within the New College alumni community
Whether you’re seeking an evidence-based neuroscience take on wellness, body-based wisdom, or simply a space to reflect and replenish — this is more than a talk — it’s an invitation to cultivate wellness from the inside out – rsvp today!
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
Location: William Doo Auditorium – 45 Willcocks Street, lower level, Toronto, M5S 2H3
Speakers
Niya Bajaj
Niya Bajaj, best selling author, Champion of Mental Health, award winning mentor, and philanthropist is an internationally certified holistic yoga therapist, and narrative medicine facilitator. She has coached over 1500 people-leaders through the Mindfulness for Leaders program. When she’s not coaching she delivers bespoke wellness-centred leadership learning experiences that support organizational culture change for improved employee well-being, engagement, and performance at organizations including Accenture, Brookfield Investments, Royal Bank of Canada, and the University of Toronto. Her ideas have been featured in the Toronto Star, New York Times, Forbes, Yoga Therapy Today, and the book “Are We Friends or Coworkers?” Outside of her corporate wellbeing work she supports women through challenges with body image, burnout, boundaries and the big life shift (menopause) in her private practice at Holistic Yoga Therapy.
Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD
Elli Weisbaum (she/her), BFA, MES, PhD, is an endlessly curious human, which has led to her love of teaching and research. She has worked internationally facilitating applied mindfulness workshops and retreats across the sectors of education, healthcare and business. She is based at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor (teaching stream) in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), at New College, with a joint appointment to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She is cross-appointed to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in their Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME). She attended her first retreat with Zen Master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh just after her tenth birthday, and has continued to train with his international Plum Village community. In March 2025, Elli received the designation of Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village Tradition. Her teaching and research focus on the intersection of contemplative practice, mental health, and organizational culture, with a commitment to creating conditions where individuals and institutions can truly flourish.