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Whole Health Offerings

San Francisco VA Health Care System offers a variety of programs to support your health and wellness goals. Click on each topic below to see a description of current offerings. To access any of our Whole Health wellness groups, just ask your VA provider or care team for a “Whole Health Consult.”

Active Yoga

Active movement, breath control, simple meditation, and adopting bodily postures for health and relaxation. 

Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:00 a.m. - Noon 

Virtual 

Acupressure Pain Management Group

Learn how to use your own hands to help relieve pain.

Fridays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Virtual

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Class

Learn which foods can help reduce inflammation, foods that support the immune system, and practical tips to incorporate these foods into everyday life.

Mondays, 11:00 a.m. - Noon

Virtual

Biofeedback

Learn to monitor and control your heart rate variability promotes emotional resilience, stress management, and health.

Wednesdays, 8:10 a.m. - 8:50 am

Virtual

BORP Adaptive Cycling Center Recreation Therapy Outing

Low-impact activity, promotes cardiovascular health and enjoy the beauty of outdoors

Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (monthly, starting August 28, 2025)

Berkeley, CA

Chair Chi

Gentle exercise program to help people experience the benefits of traditional Tai Chi in the comfort and safety of their chair. Benefits may include balance, flexibility, range of motion, strength, energy, and pain relief.

Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Virtual

Chair One Fitness

Full body, low impact, musically-interactive chair exercise program using dance and fitness.

Mondays, 11:00 a.m. - Noon and Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Virtual

Chill Chair Yoga

Gentle stretching and strengthening using a chair for stability. Great for those with difficulty getting up / down off the floor or have limited space.

Fridays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Virtual

Craft Group

Develop skills in a fun way. Build camaraderie and social connections. Discover a new outlet.

Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

In-person, San Francisco VA Medical Center

Creative Writing Warrior

Gather to share experiences and unleash creativity. A writing dice game is incorporated and serves as a catalyst for imagination, sparking unexpected ideas.

Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Virtual 

Crochet Basics

Veterans will have the opportunity to learn the basic foundations of crochet, engage socially with other Veterans to discuss progress or any barriers that the Veteran may have faced.

Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Virtual and in-person at Oakland Twenty First Street VA Clinic

Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP)

The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program provides basic skills and knowledge in diabetes. The program uses interactive group activities and adult education approaches.

Fridays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

In-person, San Francisco VA Medical Center

East Bay Leisure Recon and Social Skills

Enhance your leisure and social experiences with our weekly exploration of East Bay's recreational resources. Build and refine social skills in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In-person, Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Gentle Flow Yoga

Gentle movement, breath control, simple meditation, and body postures for range of motion and relaxation.

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Virtual

Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Monthly Outing

Learn to improve core strength, balance, and flexibility. Increased self-confidence. Awareness of body language and social skills. Access to recreate in a beautiful environment.

Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (monthly)

In-person

Guided Imagery

Multi-sensory meditation that supports healing. Promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and physical and mental well-being.

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Virtual

Healthier Living Workshop

Learn practical skills to help you manage chronic conditions that affect your quality of life (i.e., arthritis, diabetes, obesity, stroke).

Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - Noon

In-person, San Francisco VA Medical Center

Ingleside San Francisco Public Library Veteran Book Club

Immerse yourself with the wonders of reading. Discuss reading topics and engage in recreation activities such as drawing, collage making, and resin art.

Fridays, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (monthly)

San Francisco, Ingleside SF Public Library

Integrative Health Cooking Class

Learn how to create healthy and delicious meals to help you feel more vibrant and nourished.

Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Virtual

iRestYoga Nidra Meditation

Embodied meditation practice for deep rest, relaxation, and self- inquiry. Based on the ancient tradition of Yoga Nidra and adapted to suit modern life.

Mondays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Virtual

Leisure Career Skills

Participants will learn basic graphic design techniques and basic online business startup fundamentals for unique career opportunities.

Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

In-person, Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Mellow Yoga

Mellow yoga allows you to release tension in your body, improve range of motion, strength, and balance.

Mondays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, Noon - 1:00 p.m.

San Francisco VA Medical Center

Mindful and Intuitive Eating

Learn about mindful and intuitive eating and the value of self-compassion regarding food and eating habits.

Thursdays 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual 

Mindful Movement Group

Support your wellbeing in your body with gentle movements and music, stimulate creativity, tune into your body and breath, and connect with community.

Mondays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Virtual

Oakland Movement Group

Drop-in movement group for all fitness levels that mixes dance and fitness movements that can be done standing or seated.

Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - Noon

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Pound 4 Vets

Channel your inner rockstar with a full-body cardio jam session inspired by drumming.

Mondays, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Virtual

Presidio Bowl

Join other Veterans for a monthly recreation opportunity for socializing and bowling.

Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (monthly)

In-person, San Francisco Presidio Bowl (Pre-session registration required)

San Bruno Rec Center Strength and Wellness Outing

Meet at the newly redeveloped Recreation Center and learn about community services available at the facility. Recreational Therapy will provide outdoor exercise and leisure activities.

Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (monthly)

San Bruno Recreation Center

Seated Pound 4 Vets

Channel your inner rockstar with a seated full-body cardio jam session inspired by drumming.

Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Virtual

The Veterans' Workshop at OBH

Supportive space to explore their talents through hands-on crafts like rug tufting, clay sculpting, glass jewelry making, leatherwork, and sewing, fostering creativity and camaraderie.

Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (monthly)

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

VA CALM

VA CALM introduces both mindfulness and self-compassion practices and is shown to improve physical and mental well-being.

Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Virtual

Veteran’s Raised Bed Maintenance

A program offering Veterans a chance to engage in hands-on gardening, connect with nature, and support their well-being.

Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (monthly)

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Veterans’ Oakland Behavioral Health Book Club

Come together to discuss and explore books that address mental health and wellness issues. Gain insight and coping strategies for managing and improving mental well-being.

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Virtual Craft Group

Create a new craft each week while connecting with other Veterans making jewelry, leather, sewing, and wood working.

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Virtual 

W.A.R.I.O.R. (Wellness and Resilience Incorporating Outdoor Recreation)

Quarterly free monthly Park Shuttle (provided by Golden Gate Parks Conservancy) from San Francisco VA Medical Center to local national park sites. Hike, sight-see, join in a ranger-led walk, or just relax and enjoy the view.

Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

San Francisco, In-person only

Warriors on Trail

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, join us for camaraderie, adventure, and the healing power of nature.

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (monthly)

Oakland Twenty-First Street VA Clinic

Wellness and Resilience Group

Learn best practices to boost immunity, strengthen your body, and feel more balanced using nutrition and movement.

Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual

Whole Health Coaching

One-on-one coaching to support you in working toward your own health goals.

Mondays – Fridays, Multiple options available

Phone or virtual

Whole Health Mindful Self-Management for Pain

Develop and strengthen self-management skills for pain management using Whole Health tools such as the Personal Health Inventory, Circle of Health, SMART goals, and guided meditation.

Fridays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Virtual

YMCA Guided Circuit Training

Total body work out addressing cardiovascular endurance, upper/lower strength, and core strength while rotating from one station to another.

Fridays, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

In-person, YMCA

General questions about any of our wellness groups may be directed to . Visit Whole Health Resource Directory (vetsreturnhome.com) for a full directory of wellness programs and ask your care team or provider for a Whole Health consult for referral.

For information about our Integrative Health Clinical Services visit Integrative Health Clinical Services | VA San Francisco Health Care | Veterans Affairs