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In an era where health is often <a href="https://todaytrendnews7.com/apple-touches-5-trillion-market-cap-for-first-time/” title=”Apple touches $5 trillion market cap for first time”>marketed as a luxury, the Sonoma Community Center is taking a different approach by expanding its health and wellness programming through a series of accessible, expert-led workshops and classes
This August, the center, 276 E. Napa St. is rolling out a schedule of classes ranging from garden-to-table cooking to meditative sound baths, aiming to keep the community healthy “inside and out,” community center representatives said
Anchoring the new summer schedule is “Creative Seasonal Cooking,” led by chef Erin Shallat
Set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Rotary Kitchen, Shallat’s sessions will transform the standard cooking class into a holistic experience
With over two decades of expertise, she weaves advanced nutritional science into culinary demonstrations, teaching recipes that feature produce harvested directly from her own local garden
The 90-minute morning sessions, priced at $10, culminate in a shared community lunch where participants can dive deeper into the nuances of seasonal living
The center is also leaning into more immersive wellness experiences
At 3:30 p.m. Aug. 8, the Bay Area ensemble Journey Beyond Sound will present “Sounds of Summer: A Meditative Sound Bath Journey – Lionsgate Edition,” a 75-minute meditative sound bath
Timed to align with the annual Lionsgate Portal — a period many associate with transformation and new beginnings — the $45 session promises a restorative live soundscape designed to help residents disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with themselves
According to “The Farmers’ Almanac Guide to the Lion’s Gate Portal,” the portal is an annual spiritual event peaking on Aug. 8 when the Sun in Leo aligns with the star Sirius
Moving from the soul to the mind, the center will host “Insight into Health Live” on Aug. 24
This $25 discussion features an interdisciplinary deep dive by registered dietitian Allison McKeany and clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Flett
The duo plans to unpack the cultural assumptions surrounding modern wellness, encouraging attendees to curate an honest, personal definition of health that goes beyond standard metrics
For those seeking physical restoration, practitioner Regina Gregor has introduced the science-based MELT Method on Fridays at noon
The $15 classes will focus on nervous system balance and connective tissue health, while her Tuesday Essentrics sessions offer a pathway to improved flexibility
These new additions complement the center’s long-standing staples, such as Cathy Williamson’s Monday morning Tai Chi and Maythe Ortiz’s bilingual yoga on Thursday evenings
Williamson’s intermediate level begins at 8 a.m. and beginners at 9 a.m. Instructor Rie Casale now offers an evening class for beginners at 5 p.m. Thursdays
All Tai Chi classes cost $5 collected at the door
With many classes ranging from $5 to $15, and full or partial scholarships available for those in need, the Sonoma Community Center aims to offer accessible services and continues to serve as a cornerstone of local well-being
Interested participants can view the full calendar and register at SonomaCommunityCenter.org
Tai Chi and yoga fees remain payable at the door, ensuring flexibility for all residents looking to improve their health this summer
You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com
