Sonoma State University

Employee Wellness

Mission Statement

Sonoma State University promotes a culture of wellness among faculty and staff to encourage personal and professional productivity, physical and mental well-being, and to promote a healthy lifestyle. We believe that healthy employees are more productive, happier and better prepared to thrive.

The Employee Wellness Program is a voluntary program that is available to all employees and to be utilized during (not in addition to) appropriate rest breaks. Lunchtime fitness classes are considerate of a 30 or 60-minute lunch break so that employees may plan accordingly.

Employee Wellness Program benefits include:

  • Yoga and Pilates Classes
  • Couch to 5K Training!
  • Wellness Webinars
  • Calm Meditation Sessions
  • Health Promotion Classes
  • Local Opportunities to Get Moving
  • Vitalant Blood Drives
  • CSU Wellness Challenges
  • Campus Recreation Center
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Wellness Opportunities

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 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, beginning January 13, 2026. 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.

  • 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. 
    • Date: January 5 & 19, 2026
    • Time: Noon - 12:30pm
    • Register
     
  • Fitting it in: Tips for Being a Regular Exerciser 
    Our days can feel overwhelming. We struggle to find time to focus on what is most important. The good news is, being available for well-being does not have to be another chore. Time spent at the gym working out is great, but consider working our bodies at every opportunity….as a LIFESTYLE! Being thoughtful about creating attitudes and habits we can practice indefinitely.
    • Date: January 13, 2026
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register
     
  • Body Harmony
    Successful weight management is more than just cutting calories. Today's webinar invites you to discover how setting realistic goals, coming up with an action plan and practicing new skills over time will help you gain confidence to manage your weight successfully.
    • Date: January 15, 2026
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register
     
  • Workday Recharge
    Discover simple, energizing fitness moves you can easily incorporate into your workday to boost focus, strength, and overall wellbeing.
    • Date: January 21, 2026
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register
     
  • 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.
    • Date: January 22, 2026
    • Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm
    • Register
     
  • Workday Warrior: Desk Strengthen and Stretch
    • Date: January 26, 2026
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register

Calm Meditation Sessions

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

  • January 14, 2026 (10 - 10:15am) - Join here at the time of event
  • January 28, 2026 (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 once again secured exclusive discount codes for local running events 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.

Please email [email protected] for the promo codes.

Vitalant Blood Drives

Please check back soon!

Campus Recreation Center

Employees now have access to the Campus Recreation 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.

How to activate your employee access:

  1. Sign your Campus Recreation waivers through the Rec Portal. Log in with your SSU credentials by clicking “sign in” at the top right corner.
  2. Visit the Campus Recreation front desk with your physical or virtual SSU ID card.
  3. The front desk will confirm your waivers have been completed, verify your Faculty/Staff status and activate your access.
  4. Scan in with your SSU ID card (physical or virtual) every time you visit. 

If you have any questions regarding Campus Recreation memberships or previously purchased passes, please email [email protected].  

Membership Benefits:

  • You may sponsor up to three guests, allowing adult family members or friends to join you. Sponsored guest memberships can be purchased at the front desk.
  • Please note, this is an individual membership. If you are interested in hosting an event at Campus Recreation with your department, colleagues, or students, please submit a  request through Conference and Event Services.

We are excited to offer this wellness opportunity and appreciate the collaboration of our campus partners making it possible in a way that supports the entire university community.

Faculty/Staff Basketball Group:

Interested in joining a faculty/staff basketball group to play in the Rec Center on Mondays at 5:15pm and Thursdays at noon? Contact Mike Dominguez directly at [email protected] with any questions or to join!

Employee Assistance Program - LifeMatters by Empathia

The employee assistance program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to faculty, staff and their families in assessing and resolving personal matters. Please review the LifeMatters brochure or LifeMatters guide for additional information regarding the wide array of resources available from Empathia. Other benefits include:

  • 24/7 telephone assessment/counseling
  • Access to MyLifeMatters (please reach out to Payroll and Benefits at [email protected] or (707) 664-2793 to obtain Empathia's phone number or the campus-specific password)
  • Digital Cognitive Behavioral Health - a self-guided program with techniques and tips to address anxiety, depression and stress.
  • Discount Center - members can register to access discounts for travel, entertainment, consumer goods and services.
  • Up to six free counseling sessions
  • Work/life resources and referrals
  • Financial consultation with a certified financial counselor
  • Legal consultation with an attorney
  • Smoking Cessation Program
  • Access to Spanish-speaking counselors
  • ...and more!

Employees can also download The LifeMatters® App for convenient access to materials.

January Empathia Webinar

BASIC Essential Elements of Well-Being
Well-being is about achieving a state of balance, contentment, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. This webinar will help you evaluate your current strengths and determine what areas of your life may benefit from additional attention.
Available on Demand
 

LifeMatters Monthly Newsletter

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for our employee wellness program, please feel free to contact [email protected].