Rex Sample
Staff Writer
The long-anticipated Randall Lewis Center for Well-Being and Research is up and running – and open to students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The center, with a broad focus on physical, mental and spiritual health has new cardio equipment, studios for yoga and other movement classes, spaces for students and faculty to collaborate on issues of well-being, and classes and workshops on mindfulness, stress management, sleep hygiene, nutrition sexual health and more. Some of the programming is still to be determined.
There is an app on all of the cardio equipment that you can sign into to watch Netflix or YouTube while you are working out,” said junior computer science major Danny Chung, who works in the center.
“There is a survey out right now (to) understand where everyone is at in terms of the biggest barriers to their well-being (and) what they want to see from this center,” said Sarah Rodman-Alvarez, executive director of the Center. “It was very important to me early on to understand what students, faculty and staff are actually interested in, what they need to learn about and how to support them.”
Monday through Thursdays in October the Lewis Center is offering meditation classes at various times. There are also yoga, pilates, and “total body circuit” classes.
“With the new fitness center, we have more of a variety of equipment (and we) are focusing on our spiritual, mental, and emotional health so we are going to have different workshops,” said senior educational studies major Sofia Borbon, who works at the center.
The Lewis Center has showers and lockers in the men and women’s restrooms.
It also offers locally-made “Everytable” cold and microwavable grab -and-go meals including salads, rice bowls, and hot pots for around $6-$8.
Everytable has vending machines located in the corner of the lobby.
“This is just another way to make it accessible, if you are leaving the gym if you’re just visiting the center, then you can just come in and swipe your card grab a healthy meal and go.” Everytable spokeswoman Exia Burns said.
“There will be things beyond group exercise. We’ll have workshops, seminars, and classes on things like sleeping well, stress management, and financial management.” Rodman-Alvarez said.
The Lewis Center grand opening will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with guest speakers from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Oct. 18.
Rex Sample can be reached at rex.sample@laverne.edu.
Rex Sample
