Local Initiative by UMass Amherst Spanish Speaking Community to Promote Positive Health and Wellness

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AMHERST, Mass. – In June 2020, the new program, Salud y Bienestar en Pioneer Valley (Health and Wellness in the Pioneer Valley) was launched as part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus-community initiative, Así Hablamos. The main goals of this program are to increase the use of Spanish in institutional and public spaces, and ensure the availability of local activities, offered entirely in Spanish, for the individual and collective health and well-being of the Spanish-speaking community.

Through the website  the program has formed a community of all ages and backgrounds that meets regularly to promote and maintain good physical, mental, and spiritual health, 100% in Spanish.

All are invited to join LIVE virtual sessions (via Zoom) offered by local members of communities in Amherst, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, and communities further away. A variety of sessions are offered each week in Spanish. 

• Yoga for all levels, with Angélica López, Ellie Horn & María Guarino
• Self-defense and cardio-based activities, with Gary & Jeileen Alvarez of Springfield
• Zumba for the entire family, with Nadia Celestin
• Reading and meditation, with professor and poet Dr. Margara Russotto
• Drawing & reflection with Aaron Lam, and spiritual reflection with pastor Tobias
• Sessions promoting cultural and personal reflection with Lulu Ekiert and Dr. Yomaira López Cruz

For more information in Spanish about collaborators please visit the website.

The goal of this program is to promote community connections related to health and wellness and offer Spanish speakers the opportunity to contribute to the expanded use of Spanish, especially in institutional and public spaces.