In late August, at the beginning of this semester, Recreational Sports soft-launched the Mindfulness Studio. The studio is located in Bourgeois Hall room 113 F, among the racquetball courts. This project was in collaboration with the Counseling and Testing Center, aimed to advocate for the improvement of mental health.
Recreational Sports received an estimated amount of $150,000 to go towards the Mindfulness Studio from a grant that the university was given for mental health purposes. Davon D. Long is the fitness coordinator at Recreational Sports. With regards to the grant targeting mental health, he said, “With Rec Sports that fits perfectly, because we are all about wellness, physically and mentally.”
Using the funds received, Recreational Sports was able to renovate a racquetball court, turning it into what is now the Mindfulness Studio. The ceiling was lowered, walls were sound-proofed and color-changing ceiling lights were installed. Other features that were added included bean bag chairs, a television and speakers.
In addition, the Counseling and Testing Center provided mental health resources that were placed at the entrance of the studio. Long said, “That way, students can also get the resources here if they can’t make it to the counseling office.” Before entering the studio, students can consider picking up some of the resources provided if in need of professional help or advice.
Dr. Brian P. Frederick, director of the Counseling and Testing Center, mentioned, “We’ve had previous discussions with Recreational Sports regarding the use of the wellness videos from Uwill in the Mindfulness Studio.” These videos will be another helpful mental health resource that students can refer to while in the Mindfulness Studio.
Uwill assists campus counseling centers by providing mental health and wellness solutions for all people. Frederick said, “One of the top Wellness Programs by views is, ‘Right Here, A Grounding Practice,’ offered free of charge to all UL students, faculty and staff through Uwill.com.”
The Mindfulness Studio is free and fully accessible to students, faculty and staff everyday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and outside of previously scheduled reservations. In the early mornings and evenings, the studio is used by scheduled Mind and Body group programs and classes like the yoga and meditation classes.
Users of the space can unwind and destress by lying on the bean bags and listening to the relaxing meditation music playing from the speakers. Personal meditative equipment, such as yoga mats, are also permitted to be used in the room. The ceiling lights may also be dimmed, or have the color changed. However, only staff members are allowed to control the lights, air conditioner, television and speakers.
Long said, “It’s just kind of a getaway. You don’t come to do homework, you don’t come to study. You come to just maybe close your eyes for a second or just stare at the ceiling and take a breath.” Students, staff or faculty members who need to take a step away from their busy lives for a moment can consider using the studio to relieve their stresses and worries.
Mariah Ross, a sophomore majoring in performing arts with a concentration in dance, has been joining the yoga group class on Fridays at 4 p.m. She said, “After I realized how cool the studio was with the lights and the vibes and the chairs, and just the whole space in general, I’ve been going back to use it as a decompress place.”
She added, “You just feel good in there and it’s just calming and relaxing.”
Having a space like the Mindfulness Studio is significant as it helps to provide a space for anybody who needs to collect themselves and calm their minds. The daily lives of students and staff can get so busy and overwhelming that it is easy to forget the importance of taking breaks and relaxing from time to time.
Frederick said, “Research studies continue to show that mindfulness techniques are proven strategies to greatly reduce stress and enhance an individual’s overall emotional well-being.” He added, “These techniques are valuable tools in one’s self-care toolbox, especially when used as a preventative measure to target anxiety, depression and debilitative stress.”
As pointed out by Frederick, it has been proven that mindfulness techniques do help in improving an individual’s mental state. Hence, the Mindfulness Studio is a place that individuals can go to for practicing mindfulness in order to prevent worsening of their mental state.
Ross said, “I think it’s important to have a space like that cause some people don’t have spaces like that in their own home.” Indeed, the studio aims to be a welcoming place that anybody can turn to when there is nowhere else to turn for a moment of peace.
Furthermore, according to Long, a space like the Mindfulness Studio could boost productivity levels in students, faculty and staff. When one takes a moment to pay attention to their overall wellness and focus on taking care of themselves, that effort in turn translates to improving energy levels and clarity of the mind.
While the Mindfulness Studio is open to all, there are policies in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all who use the space. The important ones stress that patrons should be respectful of other patrons and of the studio equipment, maintain a low volume and set all electronic devices to “do not disturb” mode before entry. All studio policies are listed on a poster pasted on the outside of the studio door.
The Mindfulness Studio aims to improve the mental health of students, faculty and staff, strengthening the overall wellness of our community here on campus. Frederick exclaimed, “It is when both students and staff become willing to be willing to invest in themself that they are able to overcome fear and loss. Once you get there, get a partner and give it to someone else. Now that is how you strengthen a campus community!”