Center for Wellness: Starting your wellness journey

This six-week Group Medical Visit offers an introduction to Yoga 4 Cancer which is a yoga method developed by a cancer survivor that supports the unique needs of those living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Yoga has been shown to decrease stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall physical and emotional wellness after cancer treatment. Breathing exercises, short-guided meditations, and physical postures will be used to support healing after treatment. No previous yoga experience necessary.

Fall details

• Provider: Lori Seaborne, PA and Katie Eby, health coach

• Dates: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7.

• Time: 1:30–3 p.m.

• Location: Wellness Studio, East Madison Hospital

• Health concerns: Cancer diagnosis, open to all patients during or after treatment

Read about one patient's experience with Yoga 4 Cancer

Beginning can be the hardest part. This introductory series will help you establish a mindfulness practice to support your health. Each visit will incorporate mindfulness teachings and meditation with group sharing and support. Research shows that mindfulness can help relieve stress, reduce suffering from chronic pain, lower blood pressure, improve mental health, improve sleep, and increase a sense of well-being. If you are curious about mindfulness and want to learn more, this is a great opportunity to start on that path.

Fall details

• Dates: Mondays, Oct. 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 27. (no visit Nov. 20)

• Time: 4–6 p.m.

• Providers: Vincent Minichiello, MD, and Lisa Thomas Prince, MPH

• Location: Conference Room 1111A, Science Dr Medical Center

• Health problems: Chronic pain, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, insomnia, diabetes, ADHD, IBS

Practicing mindful awareness is a foundational skill in the kitchen. The focus of this four-week Group Medical Visit series is on developing healthy eating and cooking habits in a hands-on, supportive environment. You will gain confidence in the kitchen and learn how eating well can be an additional “medicine” for heart health. This visit series will help you explore basic cooking techniques using wholesome ingredients, prepare nutritious and satisfying recipes all while learning about the health benefits of different foods along the way. Together, we will learn to build a diet around the Mediterranean anti-inflammatory principles.

Details

• Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24.

• Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.

• Providers: Lisa Simpson, PA; Matt Plath, chef; Katie Eby, health coach

• Location: Learning Kitchen, East Madison Hospital

• High problems: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease

Read about one family's experience with Kitchen Wisdom

Imagine creating lifestyle changes that are better for your health and the environment. This six-week mindfulness-based Group Medical Visit is aimed at helping to reduce stress, improve your eating habits, and increase your physical activity. This visit series will involve hands-on practice with body scanning meditations, mindful eating and walking, compassion meditation, breath awareness, and nature appreciation. Participants will be expected to have a smartphone to track physical activity.

Details

• Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18.

• Time: 4–6 p.m.

• Providers: , MD, and Beth Wortzel, LCSW

• Location: Conference Room 1111A, Science Dr Medical Center

• Health problems: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, obesity

There are many steps you can take to manage and live well with Atrial Fibrillation. In this Group Medical Visit, you will learn more about atrial fibrillation, hear and learn from others who are living with this chronic condition, and develop a lifestyle-based treatment plan to help you improve your overall health. It is normal to feel nervous and anxious about exercise so each week will include different forms of exercise. This Group Medical visit meets every other week. In between the in-person sessions our Health Coach will call you offering additional goal setting and support.

Details

• Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 5, 19; Nov. 2, 16, 30; Dec. 14.

• Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m.

• Providers: Renee Bobb, NP; Ellen Houston, CEP, Health Coach; Preventive Cardiology team

• Location: Conference Room 1920, East Madison Hospital

• Health problems: Atrial fibrillation

Instructor: Megan Lynch

Whether you are new to exercise or interested in improving your overall movement quality, this class offers a balanced approach to exercise where you will gradually increase your fitness capacity. Exercises are adaptable for a variety of fitness levels. Equipment needed will include a chair, resistance band and light weights.

Instructor: Valerie Hesslink

Yoga As My Body Is, is a gentle sequence designed to meet your body where you are at. This class focuses on restoring mobility, increasing flexibility, building strength and easing achy joints and muscles. This practice may be done from standing, seated, or on the mat making it appropriate for all fitness levels. Participants should be comfortable getting up and off the floor or chair throughout class.

Instructor: Valerie Hesslink

Aerial Yin Yoga is a relaxing practice designed to release tensions deep within the connective tissue and throughout the body. This class utilizes an aerial hammock set low to the ground to help assist with different postures. Leave feeling refreshed and energized. Yin yoga is appropriate for beginners to advanced. Participants should feel comfortable getting up and off the floor throughout class.

Instructor: Megan Lynch

Through a variety of exercises, you will gain better balance, improve body awareness, core strength, coordination and confidence. Good balance can help you feel more stable, strong and prevent falls. Balance Core is a low-impact class for all fitness levels.

Instructor: Megan Lynch

Full Body fitness is a whole-body workout offering great variety. Class will utilize aerobic stationary equipment (ellipticals and bikes) combined with strength training. The focus of this class is to get a full body effective workout while in a fun and safe environment.

Instructor: Jeff Welsch

Senior Yoga for flexibility and strength is a gentle chair-based yoga to help ease your stiff joints and tight muscles. You’ll move in ways that safely enhances your mobility, strength, and balance. This class is appropriate for moderately active people. You should be comfortable moving off and onto a chair.

Instructor: Sara Cotton

Balance, strength and mobility found through drills and progressions and the movements of Yang 24. Interested in learning tai chi or already have a practice? Learn simple drills and progressions to enliven your wellbeing.

Instructor: Valerie Hesslink

This gentle form of yoga is practiced sitting on a chair or using a chair for support during standing poses. Chair yoga helps increase flexibility, lung capacity, circulation, and strength, improves balance, and relieves stress. Appropriate for all ability levels.

Instructor: Sara Cotton

Step into sun salutations, get a fresh take on well-loved poses and settle in for deep relaxation. Vinyasa yoga follows for both breath and movement. Take the time in your yoga practice to rest, relax and restore. Appropriate for all levels.

We offer one-day passes ($8) that give you access to both pools.

Note: For all classes, participants must be able to enter and exit the pool independently. Those patrons requiring assistance must provide their own qualified attendant.

Aqua Exercise

• When: 7:30–8:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays.

• Ages: 13 years and older.

• Cost: $10 per class.

• Description: Each class will involve activity in the warm pool that will include focus on core strength, balance, mobility and flexibility. Mild to moderate level of activity. You may sign up for one week at a time.

• Register now

Aqua Core

• When: 6–7 p.m. Thursdays.

• Ages: 13 years and older.

• Cost: $10 per class.

• Description: Aqua Core meets in the Warm Water Pool. Core stabilization, balance and resistance training are used to strengthen the body's torso. Appropriate for moderate to high ability levels. You may sign up for one week at a time.

• Register now

Slow Flow Aqua Exercise

• When: 7:30–8:15 a.m. Thursdays.

• Ages: 13 years and older.

• Cost: $8 per class.

• Description: Gentle movements in the Warm Water Pool help relax and both body and mind. Developed to build on balance and core strength. Mild to moderate level of activity.

• Register now
  

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Participants should contact the Fitness and Aquatics staff prior to a missed class. Staff will transfer you into future classes or credit your account. Classes will not be credited if requested after the missed class has taken place. Full refunds will only be issued to participants who miss classes due to illness or injury.

Questions?

Email CCW@uwhealth.org or call (608) 440-6600

• Lap pool schedule (pdf)

• Warm water pool schedule (pdf)

• 1-on-1 fitness consult and assessment

• Includes fitness testing and an exercise plan

• Designed to offer guidance and testing

• 60 minutes: $60 (UW Health employees and patients can receive $20 off)

Personal training provides you with safe exercise guidance and instruction from a certified fitness professional. We also offer partner training for participants of a similar fitness level.

• 1-on-1 workouts

• Custom exercise plan

• Access to pool and weight room

• Can be tailored for health restrictions

Training package: 60 minutes each

* A fitness assessment is required prior to joining

• Five sessions: $325 individual/$187.50 partner per person

• 10 sessions: $600 individual/$350 partner per person

Cost: $30

When you purchase a one-month fitness pass, you will receive a custom exercise program developed by one of our specialists. Throughout the month you can exercise independently in our Therapy Gym during the designated hours. An exercise specialist will always be present for your safety and will be a resource in answering any questions you may have.

Available Therapy Gym hours:

• Mondays and Wednesdays: 4–5 p.m.

* Fitness assessment required for first-time users

Work with a health coach to create a plan that you can follow on your own.

Cost: $80

During the first 60-minute visit you'll work with a health coach to create a plan. Then you'll have 30-minute follow-up visits to check in on progress toward your goals.

Cost: $325