Student Health and Wellness Programs

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs will be on campus! Multiple studies demonstrate that students who engage with therapy dogs on campus have a more positive affect.

When: 5-6 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. on the below Tuesdays:

September 23
October 7
November 4
November 18
December 2

Where: Humanities and Social Studies Center, Atrium
Who: Any current student

Forest Bathing

Effects of forest bathing on health promotion and disease prevention in the Journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine indicates that it may reduce blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, balance the autonomic nervous system, improve sleep quality, and may help with insulin sensitivity. Forest bathing may also manage or reduce stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue. It increases a sense of vigor that may help alleviate depressive symptoms.

When: 4:15-6 p.m. every Tuesday while classes are in session
Register: Use .
Who: Any current student

Treadmill/Walking Desk

SHAW added a treadmill desk for students in the HSSC. It is positioned in the northwest area of the second floor in front of a window. It is important that all users read and follow the safety warnings posted with the treadmill and wear the safety lanyard when in use.

Multiple offices were consulted to ensure that it would not be disruptive to others, did not interrupt egress, and had a view of green space. While the deeper, more frequent, and lengthier periods you get into nature, the better for your mental health, even time spent looking at trees and lawns has an impact relative to looking at technological screens. Furthermore, movement while studying improves recall. Some studies indicate that movement as intense as walking reduces stress better than high intensity exercise due to the amount of added stress from the two types of exercise. And while moderate to vigorous exercise may enhance our cardiovascular health more, even gentle walking correlates to cardiovascular benefits.

Questions or concerns related to the treadmill desk can be sent to Tim Hammond.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Movement can be a great tool for stress reduction for many people. This is why SHAW, in a longstanding co-sponsorship with Athletics, offers . This class, facilitated by UnityPoint instructors, focuses on boosting energy, building muscle, and finding joy in movement.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays noon - 1 p.m.
Where: BRAC P103 - Multipurpose Dance Studio

Yoga & Mindfulness Mini-Series

This semester, SHAW has partnered with Emily Rose Yoga & Co for a 10-week "Yoga & Mindfulness Mini-Series". This series invites all members of the 91�� campus community (students, staff, faculty) to pause, reset, and reconnect. Each session, the group will explore practical tools for stress reduction, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion through a blend of short discussions, accessible movement, and guided relaxation.

No yoga experience is needed. These sessions are inclusive, beginner-friendly, and adaptable for every body. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you like...whatever works best for you!

When: Mondays 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Where:

Session Overview

Session 1 (10/13) Nervous System Reset: Finding Calm in the Chaos
Learn how stress shows up in the body and explore simple practices to shift into calm. When life gets overwhelming, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down. This session introduces simple breath and movement practices to soothe stress and help your body shift from “fight or flight” into calm awareness. Expect grounding movement, mindful breathing, and a relaxed start to your week.

Session 2 (10/20): Rooted: Grounding & Centering Practices
Build stability and steadiness through grounding movement and breath. When the world feels shaky, grounding practices help us find stability. In this class, we’ll move through centering postures that steady the body and calm the mind, leaving you with a sense of strength and presence you can carry through the week.

Session 3 (10/27): Inner Sanctuary: Fostering Safety in the Body
Create an inner safe space through mindful shapes and guided relaxation. We all need a place inside ourselves that feels steady and safe. This week, we’ll explore gentle movement and reflection to reconnect with that inner sanctuary, learning how to support a sense of safety and calm from within.

Session 4 (11/3): Move with Kindness: Joyful & Self-Compassionate Flow
Shift movement into play and self-kindness with lighthearted yoga and meditation. This class is all about moving for joy, not perfection. Expect lighthearted flow, self-compassion practice, and a reminder that movement can be playful, healing, and uniquely your own — no pressure, no comparison, just you and your breath.

Session 5 (11/10): Appreciating the Body as Is
Celebrate body inclusivity and gratitude for what your body can do. This week invites you to celebrate your body for what it does, not how it looks. We’ll slow things down with inclusive, accessible yoga and gratitude practices that honor the body’s strength, resilience, and wisdom — exactly as it is today.

Session 6 (11/17): Rest as a Radical Practice
Explore rest as healing, with gentle restorative and Yin-inspired postures. Rest isn’t a reward — it’s essential. In this session, we’ll explore rest as a form of healing and restoration, using gentle Yin and restorative poses to give both body and mind permission to truly unwind.

Session 7 (11/24): Breath as Anchor: Presence in the Now
Use breathwork and movement to return to presence and clarity. Your breath is your built-in reset button. This week focuses on breathwork and mindful movement to bring you back to the present moment, helping you find clarity, calm, and balance — anytime, anywhere.

Session 8 (12/1): Collective Care: Yoga for Overwhelm
Discover simple, restorative practices for resilience when life feels “too much.” When everything feels “too much,” community and compassion can carry us through. This session offers grounding, restorative practices and reflection to remind us that caring for ourselves is part of caring for one another.

Session 9 (12/8): Stretching the Comfort Zone: Meeting Discomfort with Curiosity
Practice safe challenges and learn how to meet discomfort with curiosity. Growth rarely feels comfortable — but it can feel supported. In this class, we’ll explore safe challenges on the mat and practice meeting discomfort with curiosity, compassion, and breath.

Session 10 (12/15): Integration & Celebration: Tools for Everyday Life
Revisit the practices you loved most and celebrate the journey. Our final session is a chance to reflect, revisit, and celebrate. You’ll get to choose your favorite practices from the series and leave with simple tools to help you feel grounded, calm, and connected — both on and off the mat.

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Drop-In: Grief Over the Lunch Hour with CRSSJ and SHAW

CRSSJ and SHAW will hold a supportive space for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one such as a parent, family member, partner, friend, or peer. This weekly event will provide a healing space for those who have experienced a significant loss and wish to connect with a community of grievers. This group supports connection, the exploration of feelings connected to loss, as well as the reflection on grief's continued impact on day-to-day life. This space is not a replacement for therapy or psychiatric care. Feel free to ask for referrals if needed.

No registration required.

Location: CRSSJ Garage, 913 8th Ave
When: Thursdays 12 noon–12:50 p.m. Light sandwiches will be provided
Who: Any currently enrolled student who is grieving the loss of a loved individual

Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay and Rev. Cassandra Lawrence from the CRSSJ as well as Dr. Beth Perlman of SHAW will be present. Any questions can be directed to Sarah Brammer-Shlay.

Drop-In: In My Self-Care Era

Join us for a monthly, drop-in gathering where we connect through the music of Taylor Swift. Each session begins by listening to one of her songs together, then reflecting on its themes and how they show up in our own lives. This group is for those who are looking for a creative, supportive community to process with. Friendship bracelet and craft materials will be available for those who want to keep their hands busy while we chat. Song requests can be made through email.

When: First Thursday of the Month (starting Sept.) noon–1 p.m.
Who: Any currently enrolled student

Drop-In: Write it Out!

Research shows that writing or journaling can be a powerful way to process emotions, reduce stress, and enhance self-awareness. SHAW invites you to a monthly journaling drop-in space where you can slow down and check in with yourself. We'll provide journal prompts (or feel free to write freely), a quiet atmosphere, and some snacks. Whether you stay to write or just stop by to pick up prompts for later, this is a space for self-exploration and care. Requests for themes can be made through email.

When: First Friday of the month (staring Sept.) 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Who: Any currently enrolled student

Cultivating Healthy Emotions & Relationships

This 8-week skills group uses principles of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The skills taught in DBT are for anyone interested in improving their relationship to their emotions and managing conflict more effectively.