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Spring Bloom

Attend Spring Bloom with your well-being in mind

Spring Bloom 2024 will be held May 20 through May 23

For a full list of offerings visit Spring Bloom 2024 Session Descriptions.

Register for these events and more using the Spring Bloom 2024 Registration Form

Monday, May 20

Open Pickleball Play

12:00 – 1:00 with WHAM and friends

Location: Leonard Center Fieldhouse Courts

Are you curious about pickleball but unsure because you don’t know the rules?  Want to try it before you invest in equipment?  Do you want to get some exercise but don’t like to “work out”?  Or maybe you already play pickleball and are looking for more opportunities? Well, this is just what you need! A group of really nice colleagues play regularly all year and are looking for more interested players.  No experience necessary!  Join the pickleball party on Monday and/or Wednesday to find out how much fun we’re having.  Sign up for this event to receive the calendar invitation and accept the days you plan to attend.  All you need are some gym shoes; we have extra equipment you can use.

Dance Cardio Party

12:05 – 12:55 with Ariel Linnerson, WHAM Instructor

Location: Alumni Gym

Get ready to sweat, groove, and have a blast at our Dance Cardio class in the Alumni Gym! This high-energy workout is like a dance party disguised as a heart-pumping cardio session. No dance experience necessary! After a full body warm up, you’ll be led through easy-to-follow moves set to today’s hottest pop, hip-hop and dance music, as well as your favorite throwbacks! Please wear indoor sneakers or dance shoes, bring a water bottle, and get ready to sweat!

Please note: Our “regular” Dance Cardio participants should register as usual on the WHAM website between May 6-May 15.  This Spring Bloom class is offered as a free-trial for anyone who wants to give it a try and join the party!  If you want to keep the party going after the free-trial, WHAM will re-open registration for a limited time.

Tuesday, May 21

Reuse Center Service Project

10:00 – 11:30 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: 1550 Summit (Basement of Laura Jeffries Academy)

Reimagine, repurpose, and organize! Come support Macalester’s sustainability initiative focused on reuse, and spend time building community while volunteering at 1550 Summit – Macalester’s Reuse Center. This project tackles environmental challenges head-on by promoting a culture of reuse in our community. We’ve built a service that connects students who have unwanted items after move-out, with new students who can give them a second life.  Foster connections by volunteering with colleagues to help organize the space and look for some excellent thrifted items to reuse yourself.

Introduction to Strength Training

10:45 – 11:45 with Angela Nguyen, NASM Personal Trainer, CNC, WLS, WHAM Instructor

Location: Leonard Center, Deno Fitness Center

In this class Angela will guide you through the basics of building strength and confidence in the gym. This single session is perfect for beginners and seasoned gym-goers. Learn the essentials of structuring a workout, master key movements like squats and deadlifts, and explore accessory exercises to build strength and stability. Angela will provide personalized guidance on technique and programming, empowering you to create a balanced training program.

Please note: Our “regular” Strength Training 101 participants should register as usual on the WHAM website between May 6-May 15.  This Spring Bloom class is offered as a free-trial for anyone who wants to give it a try!  If you wish to continue with the class after the free-trial, WHAM will re-open registration for a limited time.

Circuit Training Free Trial

12:05 – 12:50 with Scott Hintz, Head of Sports Performance and the Deno Fitness Center

Location: Leonard Center, Deno Fitness Center

This class blends the best of both: strength and cardio.  Together we’ll do resistance training exercises to build total body strength. We’ll perform the exercises back-to-back to keep our heart rate elevated and boost endurance and cardiovascular fitness.  You’ll be able to work at your own pace and push yourself based on your goals and fitness level. 

Please note: Our “regular” Circuit Training participants should register as usual on the WHAM website between May 6-May 15.  This Spring Bloom class is offered as a free-trial for anyone who wants to give it a try!  If you wish to continue with the class after the free-trial, WHAM will re-open registration for a limited time. Capacity for the free trial is limited to the first 10 people.

Wednesday, May 22

Take Charge of Your Heart Health: Lower Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

11:00 – 12:00 with Leslie Mathiasmeier, Bon Appetit’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Location: Zoom

WHAM empowers you to take control of your heart health by exploring effective strategies to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. You’ll learn the connection between these two conditions and your overall well-being. Supporting a healthy heart is important for your long-term health and it can be done without sacrificing flavor! Participants will learn new cooking techniques, exciting flavor combinations, and what to look for in packaged foods in order to make actionable changes toward long-term heart health habits.

Open Pickleball Play

12:00 – 1:00 with WHAM and friends

Location: Leonard Center Fieldhouse Courts

Are you curious about pickleball but unsure because you don’t know the rules?  Want to try it before you invest in equipment?  Do you want to get some exercise but don’t like to “work out”?  Or maybe you already play pickleball and are looking for more opportunities? Well, this is just what you need! A group of really nice colleagues play regularly all year and are looking for more interested players.  No experience necessary!  Join the pickleball party on Monday and/or Wednesday to find out how much fun we’re having.  Sign up for this event to receive the calendar invitation and accept the days you plan to attend.  All you need are some gym shoes; we have extra equipment you can use.

Yoga Free Trial

12:05 – 12:55 with Ariel Linnerson, WHAM Instructor

Location: Leonard Center, Studio 1

Learn yoga basics in this beginner-friendly hatha yoga class.  Explore alignment principles of specific poses (asanas) and experience more flowing movement sequences (vinyasa).  Increase strength, flexibility, and body awareness, and leave feeling more calm and refreshed. 

Please note: Our “regular” Yoga participants should register as usual on the WHAM website between May 6-May 15.  This Spring Bloom class is offered as a free-trial for anyone who wants to give it a try!  If you wish to continue with the class after the free-trial, WHAM will re-open registration for a limited time. Capacity for the free trial is limited to the first 5 people.

Grow Plants, Grow Community: Volunteer in our Community Garden

1:00 – 3:00 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: MULCH Garden (Located near the Spanish Language House; Access from Macalester Street, across from the Baseball field)

Calling all green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts! We’re inviting volunteers to join us for a day of camaraderie and connection in the Mulch Garden – a space open to members of campus and the local community. No experience needed, just bring your positive energy! We’ll be weeding, planting, and beautifying this shared green space. It’s a great way to:

  • Get some exercise in the sunshine.
  • Learn about the campus food access initiatives.
  • Meet colleagues and make new friends.

You’ll leave with dirty hands and a happy heart. Please wear comfortable clothing, bring sunscreen, a hat and a water bottle.

Thursday, May 23

Volunteer with Open Arms of Minnesota

9:00 – 11:00 with WHAM Committee

Location: Open Arms Minnesota, 2500 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis

It’s a simple notion: people who are sick should not be without food. Yet, every day, our neighbors with life-threatening illnesses find themselves unable to shop or cook — and, often, without the support network to help. That’s where we come in.  We’ll work as a group to help prepare medically tailored meals in a state-of-the-art kitchen at Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that believes food is medicine. 

Upon registering for this event you’ll receive instructions on how to create an account with Open Arms and join Macalester’s team of volunteers. Please note, a limited number of volunteer spots have been reserved. Staff and faculty are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event. 

Community Bike Ride

1:00 – 2:00 with WHAM & Sustainability

Location: Meet outside the Library

Gear up for fun! Join WHAM and Sustainability for a community bike ride to the Mississippi River. Enjoy the outdoors, learn about the Macalester Bike Share Program, and get to know the neighborhood. Helmets and bikes will be provided for all that are needed.