March Employee Wellness Opportunities

Monday, March 2, 2026, 8:00am

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

Whether you are looking for ways to recharge, stay active, or even learn new cooking skills, this month’s wellness offerings are here to support you with flexibility, encouragement, and community.

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

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
10:00am - 2:15pm
Parking Lot D, Bloodmobile
Appointment Link
(appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome)

Yoga and Pilates Classes
Lunchtime yoga and pilates classes are open to all experience levels and offer a great mid-day break to stretch, reset, and connect with colleagues. Please join us in Ives 80 from 12:05 to 12:55pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Yoga mats are available.

Mondays: Pilates
Wednesdays: Meditative Yoga
Thursdays: Meditative Yoga

Couch to 5K Training!
Please join our 45-minute Couch to 5K Training with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training is held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Arbor and Lakes from 12:05 to 12:50pm. All 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.

Wellness Webinars
Kaiser Permanente is offering a range of wellness webinars open to all employees, regardless of your health plan. Most sessions are available on-demand for six months after the live stream, with the exception of the Calm Meditation Sessions, which are only available live.

Ergo Hacks for Your Neck, Shoulders and Wrists - Learn about physical risk factors with prolonged sitting, identify workstation set-up errors that can cause pain, improve your workstation ergonomics, practice exercises to prevent neck, shoulder, and wrist pain, and understand how to communicate your needs when under stress, to reduce injury risk.
Available on Demand

Move It Mondays - These 30-minute classes are designed to boost both your body and your mind and are available for all fitness levels. These classes will include a gentle warm-up, energizing movement, and a cool down.
March 2 & 16, 2026 (Noon - 12:30pm)
Register

Celebrate You: Body Positivity for Every Body - Go beyond diets and calorie counting. Discover how to build sustainable habits and cultivate a positive relationship with your body. Realistic strategies can help you feel balanced, confident, and at ease in your own body.
March 16, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Register

Beat the Afternoon Slump - Learn about the physiological and behavioral factors that contribute to the slump - such as blood-sugar fluctuations, hydration levels, sleep cycles, nutrition patterns, and stress. Learn how everyday choices, from morning routines to lunch habits, directly affect afternoon energy and focus.
March 18, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Register

Chair Yoga - Practice restorative chair yoga right at your workspace to stretch and lengthen the spine, increase blood flow, and release muscle tension. Learn about the benefits of yoga and resources for how you can include it even in the middle of a busy workday. (You will be most comfortable with a stationary chair and clothing that allows for movement.)
March 19, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Register

Thrive Kids: Your Parenting Game Plan - Learn about child health and wellness as it relates to healthy eating, fitness, education, extracurriculars, and social-emotional skills.
March 19, 2026 (12:30 - 1:30pm)
Register

Calm Meditation Sessions
Join for 15 minutes to de-stress, reset, and renew yourself.

March 11, 2026 (10 - 10:15am) - Join here at the time of event
March 25, 2026 (2 - 2:15pm) - Join here at the time of event

Kaiser Cooking Videos
Sharpen your knife skills and learn the basics of flavorful, plant-based cooking.

Employee Access to the Campus Recreation Center
Employees now have access to the Campus Rec Center! This initiative promotes physical and mental wellbeing by providing employees access to the outstanding fitness, recreational, and wellness resources available on campus, while also creating opportunities to connect and build community with one another outside of work spaces. More information about the Rec Center’s facilities, classes, and hours of operation can be found at Campus Recreation’s Rec Portal. Instructions for activating your employee access are available on our website.

Faculty/Staff Basketball Group
Are you interested in joining a faculty/staff basketball group on Mondays at 5pm? Contact Mike Dominguez at [email protected] with any questions or to join!

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