Wellness Programs

 

Employee Fitness Classes at the Rec Center

 

Fall Power Pilates at the Rec Center – full
Wednesdays, October 2 – 20, 2024, 12 – 1 pm
Led by Kelly McCue Nation, MPH, Power Pilates-certified instructor

This is a mat-based Pilates class to build mobility, strength, and core. Music is played to energize the space, and light equipment (e.g. bands, rings) may be used to engage and isolate muscles.

This class is for anyone, whether you are brand new to Pilates or a seasoned practitioner –modifications will be provided to ensure you are getting the right workout for YOU!  All are welcome, join anytime. Registration is required.

Power Pilates registration link

When registering for this class, click “Sign in” then click on the “NAU User ID” option, and sign in. Then select ALL of dates of the classes you wish to attend and click “Register.” If you experience any issues with registration, please email Fitness@nau.edu for assistance.

 

Fall Zumba classes at the Rec Center
Thursdays, September 12 – October 31, 2024, 12:05 – 12:55 pm
Multi-Purpose Gym in the Rec Center, Health and Learning Center
Led by Alison Mercado, M.Ed., Academic Advisor Sr, and Zumba Instructor

Enjoy a free and fun fitness workout Thursday afternoons. This class includes dancing, cardio, strength moves, and will surely add joy to your lunch hour! Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. All are welcome, join anytime. Registration is required.

Employee Only Zumba Registration Link

When registering for this class, click “Sign in” then click on the “NAU User ID” option, and sign in. Then select ALL of dates of the classes you wish to attend and click “Register.” If you experience any issues with registration, please email Fitness@nau.edu for assistance.

 

Wellness Programs

Foundations of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Thursdays, October 24 – November 14, 2024, 11 am – 1 pm
Health and Learning Center, Room 2407
Led by Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselor and Trainer

This four-week long class will meet for two-hour sessions and is based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn who developed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program to support people with chronic health challenges. In the 40 years since its inception, it has been extensively researched and has been proven to be effective at addressing a variety of other health challenges.

The foundations of mindfulness meditation will be explored through guided practice, small and large group discussions, and home practice. This program is open to beginners and is also a natural next step for those who are newer to mindfulness and would like to explore it more deeply and practice with others. Those with other formal mindfulness practice wishing to continue or re-establish a practice routine are also encouraged to join.

All are welcome. To register, please email ask-eaw@nau.edu.

 

Guided Forest Walk
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 12 – 1 pm
Led by Heather Nash, PhD, EAW Director and ANFT Nature and Forest Therapy Guide
Meet at the Starbucks patio on South Campus

This on-campus forest therapy experience involves taking a guided walk, slowly, with a structured series of invitations designed to help participants relax and connect with nature, its creatures, each other, and with themselves. The walk will be about 1/4 mile in length. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring water.

To register for this walk, email ask-eaw@nau.edu.

 

Dementia Friends
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 12 – 1 pm
Presented by Karin Von Kay, Dementia Friends Champion

Join us for this informational session to gain more understanding about effective techniques and approaches when interacting with loved ones with dementia. As a Dementia Friends Champion, Karin is committed to helping change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia, and to assist caregivers and healthcare professionals in our community to have the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of their lives and those with whom they care for.

Dementia Friends workshop Zoom registration link

 

Mental Health for Men workshop by Zoom
Monday, October 21, 2024, 12 – 1:30 pm
Led by Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselor and Trainer

October is mental health awareness month. And men, it is time to learn how understanding your feelings can lead to improved relationships, increased confidence and even enhance your work performance. Cultural norms tell us that only women (and sensitive men raised by women) are impacted by their feelings. However, all men experience feelings such as anger, stress, sadness, hurt, embarrassment, and guilt. These feelings are often suppressed until they boil over, causing problems in personal and work relationships, substance abuse, and lead men disproportionately to die by suicide.

Join us this program where we will address the specific challenges men face in identifying and managing their feelings. This program will be led by Mike Bouck, LCSW who is, the last time he checked in the mirror, a real man. All are welcome; this program is also for partners, parents, and supervisors of men and boys.

Mental Health for Men workshop Zoom registration link

 

NAU Employee Cancer Support Group by Zoom
The first Monday of each month, October 2024 – April 2025, 3:30 – 5 pm

When the “C” word enters your life, everything turns upside down. Thrown head-first into medical jargon, tests, procedures, all while your head shocked and fuzzy from this life altering word. Of course, I’m talking about cancer. Studies indicate that cancer rates are on the rise globally and it’s being diagnosed in younger people. Luckily, our treatments are better, and people are living longer, cancer-free lives after medical intervention. The impacts of cancer are life-long, even when in healthy survivorship anxiety lingers on the backburner.

Since coming to NAU in 2019, I (Heather Rist) have not only counseled more people impacted by cancer than ever before in my career, I have also experienced cancer myself. I am facilitating this group as a survivor and therapist with the intention of gaining mutual support, developing coping skills, and cultivating post-traumatic growth and resilience. We don’t always get to choose our hardships; we can only choose how we walk through them and how we allow ourselves to be changed by them.

If you are interested in attending this group, please reach out to Heather Rist at Heather.Rist@nau.edu for a screening and more information.

 

Aerobic Winter Challenge begins soon!

Aerobic Winter Challenge (AWC) is an annual worksite wellness program that incentivizes physical activity with the goal of helping people stay fit during the winter months, November – February. NAU has participated in this fun, county-wide program since its inception over 25 years ago!

How to start: form a group of 5 – 10 coworkers (spouses, partners and children are welcome to participate), choose a fun team name, and register your NAU team with Coconino County AWC between October 1 –  27, 2024.

How to participate: exercise at least 30 minutes/day for at least 14 days/month for a chance to win monthly and grand prize drawings.

Registration is $10 person or $5 for NAU employees (EAW subsidizes $5 toward NAU employee registration). For more information visit AWC Program website link, or email awc@coconino.az.gov or ask-eaw@nau.edu.

 

Weekly Online Groups

 

Stress Management Group by Zoom
Fridays, October 11 – December 13, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Cyndy Soto-Lopez, PhD, EAW Psychologist

Everybody experiences stress which, if unmanaged, can lead to many negative physical and mental health outcomes. In this open, drop-in group each week we will discuss specific stress-management strategies with the goal of finding practical applications to try to manage our stress.

Stress Management Group Zoom registration link

 

The Next Normal: TED series by Zoom
Tuesdays, September 10 – November 12, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Heather Rist, LPC, EAW Counselor

Each week we will view a 10 – 15-minute TED talk on a topic important to building healthy workplace cultures presented by a current thought leader. The TED talk will be followed by questions and a facilitated discussion designed to get you thinking about how you can apply what you’ve just learned into your daily life, contributing to our NAU community and culture of relentless welcoming. Topics will include: allyship, women in leadership, boundary setting, difficult conversations, and many more.

The Next Normal Group Zoom registration link

 

Midweek Morning Meditation by Zoom
Wednesday mornings, September 18 – November 20, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselor and Trainer

Meditation comes with many benefits, but it’s not always easy to get started. There’s no “right way” to meditate, and the goal is to focus our attention, intentionally, in the moment, with a friendly attitude toward ourselves. It is very common to encounter challenges while meditating, such as restlessness, a wandering mind, uncomfortable physical sensations, falling asleep, or simply feeling like we’re not doing it right.

While these experiences are common, we may judge ourselves (‘I’m not good at meditation’) or the practice (‘meditation doesn’t work for me’). Meditation may not be right for everyone, but many of us could benefit from increased mindfulness in our daily lives.

This semester we’ll focus on the basics of meditation, common challenges we might encounter and how to address them so we may experience the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Please sign on a few minutes early to get settled. Drop in as you are able; attend any or all meetings.

Morning Meditation Group Zoom registration link

 

Atomic Habits Book Shop by Zoom
Part 1: Thursdays, September 12 – October 3, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Part 2: Thursdays, November 7 – December 5, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Heather Nash, PhD, EAW Psychologist and Director

This group will be based upon the bestselling guide Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear (https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits)

During Part 1, we will be moving through the steps of habit change, addressing specific aspects of building good habits and breaking bad habits each week. During Part 2, we will each be taking on at least one habit we’d like acquire or break, applying the steps, and troubleshooting, as well as discussing maintenance strategies and values.

Atomic Habits Book Shop Zoom registration link

 

Trauma Informed Care Programs

Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care Course

The modules in this Canvas course are: Understanding Trauma, the Importance of Regulation, and the 6 Principles of TIC. This content provides foundational information to begin understanding and implementing trauma-informed philosophy and care.

Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care Course Canvas link

Ongoing coaching, consulting, and higher-level trainings, such as the Trauma-Informed Learning Community meetings listed below, are recommended as trauma-informed care is a continuous improvement process.

Trauma-Informed Learning Communities (TILC) by Zoom

TILCs are open, drop-in discussions of trauma-informed principles and their application to real-life, present-day scenarios.

Ideally, attendees will have completed the Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care modules listed above which provides shared language and foundational understanding to enhance participation in TILCs.

Faculty TILC meetings:

Tuesday, October 15, 11 am – 12 pm
Zoom registration link

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 4 – 5 pm
Zoom registration link

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Zoom registration link

 

Staff TILC meetings:

Thursday, November 7, 2024, 4 – 5 pm
Zoom registration link

Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Zoom registration link

If you have questions, please email Heather.Rist@nau.edu.

 

Northern Arizona University is committed to providing universal access to our programs and services. Please contact EAW at 928-523-1552 to request disability related accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.