Ever spot some students repping a teal green uniform around campus? Have you wondered who they are? Well, they’re the Move U Crew! The Move U Crew is a group of student leaders that promote movement in accessible, fun, bite-sized ways around campus on behalf of UBC Recreation. Chances are you’ve seen them lead a movement break in your class, won prizes at their booth in exchange for on-the-spot physical activity, or seen them on Instagram!
Earlier this month, we interviewed the Move U Crew. Get to know each Move U Crew member a bit better by reading the Q&A below!
Sam (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: 5th year English Literature
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: I can’t choose one! Pilates, dancing and walking all help me have fun, feel calm, or present in my body.
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Neck roll
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Currently, anything Troye Sivan.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: Besides all of our amazing events coming up, I’m looking forward to see you in one of our movement breaks!
Isabel (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: 4th Year Kinesiology
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: Running! I love how I can go out for a run without lots of extra equipment and planning, and it gives me a chance to explore the city around me.
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Pigeon pose
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Pon de Replay by Rihanna
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I am looking forward to leading some of our Move U Crew services like Wellbeing Walks, movement breaks and more. I am excited to get moving with you all!
Chelsea (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: My final year of Kinesiology!
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: For resistance training, I love good ol’ deadlifts and squats. I used to be intimidated by these compound movements, but I fell in love with them since they became part of my recovery following ACL reconstruction. Today, they make me feel strong and remind me that my body is resilient! For aerobic training, I’ve recently gotten into boxing at Rumble off campus; it literally feels like you’re dancing in the dark while throwing some punches to the beat of the music!
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Lumbar extension, especially after long periods of sitting! Lumbar side stretch is a close second.
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Absolutely any throwback JB song.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: Witnessing the growth of everyone on the team both new and returning members!
Puti (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: MA in Health, Outdoor and Physical Education – 1st year
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: Martial Arts – Karate, because it provides the skills and confidence to protect myself in real-life situations, offers a full-body workout that improves strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, and gives the experience of personal growth plus the sense of achievement through belt ranks progress.
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Lunge stretch
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Poco-Poco by Yopie Latul
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I look forward to starting my journey with the Move U Crew by actively participating in various activities and events to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for the UBC community.
Abishek (he/him)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: Kinesiology, Year 3
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: Playing sports and working out
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Lumbar side stretch
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: 24k Magic by Bruno Mars
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I’m looking forward to our themed wellbeing walks and all of our wellness events!
Farrah (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: 3rd year in Kinesiology and Master of Management
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: Judo because I have been practicing it ever since I can remember and it makes me feel strong and empowered.
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Figure 4 stretch
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Any song by Pitbull
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I am looking forward to our annual Cha Cha Slide at the end of February to close Move UBC! I’m excited to see everyone on campus get together and get moving in a super fun way!
Ray (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: Environmental Geography & B+MM, Year 4
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: I love pilates because it makes me feel energized and is supportive for injury recovery. I also love rock climbing and playing sports with friends!
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Seated cat/cow is my go-to stretch especially when studying
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Pretty much any early 2000s throwback
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I’m looking forward to creating and sharing fun content on the UBC Rec Instagram and blog
Bindu (she/her)
Bindu (she/her)
Q: What program and year of study are you in?
A: Kinesiology, Year 5
Q: What is your favourite way to move, and why?
A: Yoga because it calms my mind, body, and soul. Playing sports like badminton and volleyball because it gives me a chance to have fun with friends and family!
Q: What is your go-to stretch?
A: Child’s pose stretch
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
A: Shake It Off by T Swift
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year on the Move U Crew?
A: I am looking forward to the different Move UBC events that will be held during February, aka Move UBC Month. Mainly because I think that it is a great initiative to get the campus moving while enjoying every bit of it!
Next time you catch the Move U Crew leading a movement break in your meeting or class, guiding a Wellbeing Walk, or hosting a physical activity coaching session, be sure to say hi!