New Social Wellness Club Aims to Bring Saratogians Together  

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Few things are more damaging to a person’s quality of life than lack of social connection.

According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness and social isolation increase the risks of premature death, anxiety, depression, and dementia. Loneliness and isolation are also associated with lower academic achievement and worse performances at work. “This represents an urgent public health concern,” the report states.

“Extensive scientific findings from a variety of disciplines, including epidemiology, neuroscience, medicine, psychology, and sociology, converge on the same conclusion: social connection is a significant predictor of longevity and better physical, cognitive, and mental health, while social isolation and loneliness are significant predictors of premature death and poor health,” says the report.

Evidence of what’s been called a loneliness epidemic in America seems to be everywhere, including local Facebook groups.

Natalli Amato—a therapist, journalist, and yoga teacher—noticed many anonymously-authored posts in the various “What’s Going on Saratoga” Facebook groups that sought friendship and connection. 

“I wondered in my head if any of these people, do they connect?” Amato told Saratoga TODAY. “Is that even really a comfortable or safe option? Is that how people want to make friends?”

For some, like Erin Joy—a yoga teacher and yoga therapist-in-training—being more introverted can make the search for connection even more of a challenge.

“I know that there’s other people out there that maybe have a tendency to do things alone, but maybe in the back of their head, they’re wishing that there’s a couple other friends that they could do things with, but maybe they just don’t know how or where to find them,” Joy said.

Enter the Saratoga Social Wellness Club, which was recently soft-launched by Amato and Joy. The club is designed to “give people a platform for turning fellow Spa City neighbors into new friends by coming together to enjoy events rooted in nature, wellness, and movement.”

Since creating their Instagram account (@saratoga_socialwellnessclub) a few weeks ago, Amato and Joy have already amassed more than 400 followers. And the responses they’ve received seem to indicate that Saratogians are hungry for meaningful connections. Amato said she’s been approached by people excited about the club, and Joy said she’s received enthusiastic Instagram messages. 

“It seems as though people are giving us the seal of approval,” Joy said.

Amato and Joy both arrived in Saratoga from somewhere else, giving them first-hand experience with seeking connection and socialization in the Spa City. Amato said she “moved around a bunch” before landing in Saratoga, and Joy is originally from Rochester. The duo connected at Yoga Mandali, where they both worked as teachers.

“I feel completely at home here, even though I’ve been here for a couple of years,” Joy said.

“I think we were inspired [by] great running clubs and walking clubs and cycling clubs that are built around a shared passion and this want to make friends and have fun,” said Amato. “And so, inspired by the liveliness that we already see here, we were like, ‘We could do something like that around the things that light us up.’”

The club’s first in-person social event, Wellness in the Park, will take place on Sunday, May 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Spa State Park. Participants can expect some icebreakers, group dialogue, a nature walk, and an outdoor yoga class. Those interested in signing up, either for the event itself or to receive future communications from the club, can fill out a form at form.jotform.com/260905687423059.

The club is also open to future collaborations with local businesses and organizations.

“We want this to not just be about us or benefit us, but really be for Saratoga,” said Amato.