Moving haagahelian: library team
The UAS Moves project highlights moving haagahelians, meaning individuals and teams who have incorporated movement into their everyday lives or boldly tried something new. The aim is to encourage actions that promote excellent learning, bring energy to the working day and strengthen working together.
This time, we would like to highlight the library team at Haaga-Helia’s Pasila campus, which has developed a more movement-friendly environment in the library by providing spaces to move and take breaks from studying. Information specialist Nina Rusi and information services advisor Jaana Kurko explain how the idea for an exercise corner was born and what role the library plays in increasing movement.
What is the exercise corner and where did the idea come from?
The UAS Moves project inspired library staff to put the idea of an exercise corner into practice in spring 2025.
– In the library, we see daily how long students spend in the same position, in front of screens or reading books. Sometimes students concentrate so deeply that the timed lights switch off around them. This made us think that we could do something concrete to help students remember to take breaks in their studies, Nina and Jaana describe.
The exercise corner has been built in the spirit of the circular economy – almost all the equipment has been collected from storage or recycled; only the wall bars and resistance bands were purchased new. An old rocking chair that Jaana transported to campus by train and that Nina repainted captures the DIY spirit of the project. The corner also includes yoga mats and kettlebells for short exercise sessions.
How has the exercise corner been received and what plans do you have for the future?
– We hope that more and more people will dare to drop by and do even a small movement during their break. After all, the corner has been created for library users. We have also noticed that students take breaks in other ways in the library; jigsaw puzzles and a chessboard are very popular, which is great.
– We are planning to introduce movement prompts in the Pasila library to encourage small movements during studying – these are already in use at the Vierumäki campus and have worked well, Nina and Jaana say.
What is your tip for staying active while studying?
– Take short breaks, even just a couple of minutes, and go hang for a while from the wall bars in the library’s exercise corner!
The UAS Moves project promotes an operating culture where movement supports learning, wellbeing and a sense of community. Read more about the project, Haaga-Helia’s activity etiquette and physically active learning.