September Employee Wellness Opportunities

Friday, August 30, 2024, 8:00am

TO: Sonoma State Employees
FR: Wellness Program, Payroll and Benefits

September is full of employee wellness opportunities! Join us for our new Couch to 5k in-person lunchtime training with Yavé Guzman Valdez or try Pilates with Jeanne Janae. Lunchtime yoga with Jeanne Janae and Kim Purdy and Mindfulness and Self-Care classes with Dr. Wallace continue as well. Additionally, in celebration of Safety Week, we have asked Kaiser to host special wellness classes for our employees. Please check out the information below to learn more.

Vitalant Blood Drive
In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting an on-campus blood drive on September 18, 2024.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024
10:00am - 1:45pm
Denali Gym, Campus Recreation Center
Appointment Link
(appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome)

New! Couch to 5K Training!
The Employee Wellness Program is excited to announce a new 45-minute Couch to 5K Training class with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training will be held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:05 to 12:50pm at Arbor and Lakes, beginning Thursday, September 5, 2024. All training levels are welcome, from beginners to intermediate as well as advanced runners looking for some extra workouts.

Suggested items to bring with you: A pair of good running shoes, comfortable clothing to run in, water, post run snack, and a yoga mat. Training will take place outdoors.

Health Promotion Classes
Kaiser Permanente will be hosting two virtual health promotion classes specifically for Sonoma State University during Campus Safety Week (9/16-9/20). These classes are open to all employees and will be recorded and available for 90 days after the live stream. 

Raffle Drawing: Register for both classes by September 17, 2024 and you will be entered to win a prize!

  • Back Care
    Learn proper posture and practice exercises that help protect your back.
    September 17, 2024 (10 - 11am)

    Register

  • Fit at Work
    Learn skills to increase engagement and energy in your personal and professional life.
    September 17, 2024 (2 - 3pm)
    Register

Yoga and Pilates Classes
Lunchtime yoga and pilates classes are open to all experience levels and are a great opportunity to meet employees from other units, while also taking a break to stretch and have a midday reset. Please join us in Ives 80 from 12:05 to 12:55pm, Monday through Thursday. Yoga mats are available.

  • Mondays: NEW!!! - Pilates with Jeanne Janae
  • Tuesdays: Slow Flow Yoga with Kim Purdy - explore the stress reduction benefits of yoga with focused and intentional movement at a slower pace. 
  • Wednesdays: Yoga Groove with Kim Purdy - movement focused yoga paced to upbeat music
  • Thursdays: Meditative Yoga with Jeanne Janae - meditate, stretch and practice different yoga poses 

Mindfulness and Self-Care Classes
Please join our 30-minute virtual Mindfulness and Self-Care classes with Dr. Andy Wallace, SSU Philosophy professor (pre-registration required). Each class begins with a short description of mindfulness followed by a 15-20 minute mindfulness-based exercise and concludes with a poem. Dr. Wallace will also be available following the class for further discussion. 

“The benefits of mindfulness stem, I believe, from the role that it plays in the human caregiving system. Kindness, compassion, and love are the system’s core emotions, and unconditional acceptance of self and other is its raison d’etre. When we meditate mindfully we activate or elicit those emotions and learn to care authentically for ourselves in the same loving spirit as we authentically care for others.” - Dr. Andy Wallace (bio)

These mindfulness classes will be held on Fridays from 12 to 12:30pm beginning September 6, 2024 and will continue throughout the fall semester. Employees interested in attending are asked to please register in order to receive the zoom link for the class.

Wellness Webinars
We are excited to share this month’s wellness webinars offered by Kaiser Permanente. These webinars are open to all employees regardless of your health plan election. Webinars remain available on-demand for six months after the live stream (with the exception of the live Calm Meditation Sessions which are available only at the time of the event).

  • A Balancing Act
    Actively work to maintain or improve your balance and strength with regular exercise.
    September 18, 2024 (Noon - 1pm)
    Register

  • Navigating Illnesses: COVID, Flu, and RSV
    Learn about the current state of COVID, flu, and RSV infections in Northern California and new vaccine recommendations for each infection.
    September 26, 2024 (12:30 - 1:30pm)
    Register

Calm Meditation Sessions
15-minute de-stress exercises using the Calm app.  
September 11, 2024 (10 - 10:15am)

  • September 11, 2024 (10 - 10:15am)
    Join here at the time of event

  • September 25, 2024 (2 - 2:15pm)
    Join here at the time of event

Local Opportunities to Get Moving
Get ready to lace up your sneakers as the SSU Employee Wellness Program has secured an exclusive discount code for a local running event featuring distances for all levels. Whether you are a seasoned runner or wanting to try something new, you are invited to join us and walk, run or even skip your way to the finish line.

Additional information regarding our SSU Employee Wellness programs can be found here: https://hr.sonoma.edu/payroll/employee-wellness.