As the weather begins to warm up in Ohio and the end of spring semester is in sight, students can still make room in their busy schedules to engage in mindfulness activities. Luckily, Kenyon offers many opportunities to practice mindfulness right here on The Hill, from meditation to working out.
Founded by Katherine Coffin ’26, MINDcraft is a new club focused on mindfulness and meditation. This group aims to provide mental health resources and a safe space for students to prioritize their mental health. “This semester, I am working on a new project at Kenyon with the goal of learning mindfulness practices and skills and raising awareness so that students can practice mindfulness and improve their well-being both inside and outside of designated meeting spaces. We have explored forming a student organization,” Coffin wrote in an email. university people. “I first thought about starting a Mindfulness Club because there was a lack of mental health resources on campus, especially those aimed at helping students struggling with stress, anxiety, and depression on a daily basis. The goal of founding MINDcraft Club was to spark interest and awareness on campus in mindfulness and meditation, and to begin to create a culture of open communication and gratitude.” It will be held on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Wellness and Meditation multipurpose room in Farr Hall.
Another weekly event at The Hill is “Thrive Through Tuesday,” led by Writing Center Director Anna Scanlon. Every Thursday, students receive support with study skills, writing, and time management. This event is designed to be low-stress and student-driven, and includes a variety of offices and resources across campus, including the Writing Center, Student Accessibility and Support Services, the Office of Academic Counseling, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Support will be provided to students from. and the Global Engagement Center. This event promotes an inclusive, fun and relaxed environment.
“Students who come here… [Thrive Through Thursday] Get support materials, meet people who represent campus resources not otherwise available, and everyone in academia faces different challenges, but how to ask for help and where to find it. Please use this as a learning opportunity.You will overcome them,” Scanlon wrote in an email. university people.
Would you like to train your mind and body? Students can focus on mindfulness and well-being with the rich resources provided by the Lowry Center. KenyonFit offers 10 yoga and tai chi classes each week, from restorative to sculpt to vinyasa his vitality. These classes are designed to improve your physical fitness and mental health in a safe environment. For community members looking to add more variety to their fitness routines, KenyonFit also offers Zumba, Spin, and many other options. Classes are open to all levels of experience, so everyone is welcome to sign up. “Exercise is a great way to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and clear your head. Some class formats, such as yoga and tai chi, place more emphasis on the mind-body connection. These The classes help participants focus on controlled breathing and use movement to bring the body and mind away from outside distractions and back within,” said Raleigh Center Fitness & Recreation Programming Coordinator. Tiffany McCullen wrote in an email. university people.
KenyonFit classes can be booked up to 30 minutes in advance by students and faculty on the KenyonFit app, and more information about all KenyonFit services can be found online.
Additionally, the Cox Health Counseling Center offers other self-care services for students. Holly Levin, Interim Wellness Director and Associate Director of Health Promotion at the Health Center, strives to incorporate mindfulness into the programs offered to students. “We held mindfulness sessions in libraries and outdoors, and went to several classrooms and team meetings to lead such activities. Help students understand that sometimes these are easy things that anyone can do. Breathing and mindfulness exercises are always available, whether in class, in the library, or in your room. ” Levin wrote in an email. university people.
Students can take advantage of campus resources and opportunities to practice mindfulness and focus on mental health in several areas of the university. As the school year draws to a close, these resources will become available and accessible to serve as a means for students to practice mindfulness at Kenyon.
