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Healthful Opportunities Are
Only Steps Away
By
Shawne Neeper
Imagine
a universe in which long hours of number-crunching and mighty feats of
equation-wrangling could build sleek, powerful physiques with strong,
steady heartbeats. The desk-bound lunch hour would count as extra gym
time—causing many SLAC employees to rank among the ultra-fit. Happily,
SLAC has the next-best thing: a variety of healthy activities within
easy reach of your office.
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When the weather is nice, the Green becomes
the scene for volleyball, soccer and other healthy activities.
(Photo by Diana Rogers) |
“We
really do offer a lot,” said physician’s assistant and personal trainer
Raylene Blandino (SHA). “People just don’t take advantage of it.”
Blandino writes Options for Wellness, a bi-monthly newsletter which
announces the latest programs and activities for SLAC employees.
To
encourage fitness participation, the medical department offers a free,
one-year Health Promise program, which provides a health screen, goal
setting and a full physical exam every three months to track progress.
They hope to increase participation this year. “[SLAC employees] work
passionately,” said physician Maria Gherman (MED). “It’s amazing. But
they need to take care of their bodies. Besides, it’s a source of fun.”
People
looking for relief from stress, tight shoulders and back pain can
contact certified massage therapist Mer Baldoza (ESD), Ext. 2009.
Baldoza offers half hour ($25) and hour-long massages ($50). His
combination of Shiatsu, sports, Swedish and deep tissue massage is
popular. He is booked through October, but it is worth calling anyway.
“When a new client calls, I put them on my waiting list,” Baldoza said.
“If there’s any cancellation, I call them.”
Employees can also build some muscle at SLAC’s air-conditioned gym,
located in the exercise room in the northwest corner of Bldg. 34. For
any-time access to the equipment, contact Diane Jenkins (MFD), Ext. 2215
and join for $25 per year. There are adjacent locker rooms and showers,
which are open to everyone.
Exercise With Others
Group
aerobics and fitness classes are held in Bldg. 27, SLAC’s exercise
studio. Aerobics classes taught by Cecilia Glower are offered for a
nominal fee, and the first class is free. Ziba Mahdavi (BLS) has been
teaching free fitness classes here for six years. “It’s fun,” Mahdavi
said. “I really do it because people like it.” Drop in any Monday or
Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for step aerobics, or any Tuesday or Thursday at
noon for body sculpting. Wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. Come
on time—classes do fill up.
Other
classes such as Pilates and Yoga are offered through Stanford’s Health
Improvement Program (HIP). Fall classes will begin the week of
September 20, so sign up now.
Get
Some Fresh Air
To get
some outdoor time, drop by for volleyball or soccer on The Green.
“Anybody is welcome to play [volleyball],” said Nicolas Berger (EE),
Ext. 3434, who maintains the volleyball e-mail list. “Volleyball is easy
to pick up and many of our current players—myself included—came in with
little or no experience.”
Maybe
soccer is your game. “It’s very light soccer—no pressure,” said Raphael
Miranda (KLY), who helped launch the lunchtime soccer program. Join the
game Mondays and Thursdays at noon on The Green. Contact Tu Ly
tuly@SLAC.Stanford.EDU to
join the e-mail list.
For up
to date information about the SLAC wellness program and classes being
offered, visit:
http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/medical/now
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