Kent State of Well-being offers Koru mindfulness and meditation training. This training is an evidence-based curriculum designed for teaching mindfulness meditation and stress management to college students and other young adults, said Meghan Factor-Page, assistant director of Kent State Well-being. 

During the sessions, there are different exercises such as eating meditation, walking meditation and dynamic breathing exercises.  

“We suggest that people try to fit in 10 minutes of meditation every day,” Factor-Page said. 

These sessions are open to faculty, staff, students and community members.

Kent State Well-being has the option to offer the trainings live or virtual, it depends on what the instructor decides. 

The live sessions are held at any space on campus that is available to book and the location is posted on their website.

The virtual sessions are also available on their website and students are able to sign up there. 

The trainings are four weeks long and 75 minutes per session. However, people do not have to start at the beginning to be a part of it, and they can join midway through the four-week period. 

The sessions come with a free app called “Koru” which can be downloaded on the app store. 

Participants are able to use the app outside of the sessions and can access the online book “The Mindful Twenty-Something” through the Kent State Library. 

The app allows participants to submit journal entries that can provide feedback for the instructor to see, whether it is after a live or virtual  session or doing a meditation through the app independently, said Factor-Page. 

A feedback survey is provided after every session for students to express how they feel and if they think these sessions have helped them.

“Most people say that they have developed a habit for meditation because of these classes,” said Factor-Page. 

Students can struggle with mental challenges on a daily basis and these sessions could potentially minimize that, Factor-Page said. 

“I think these sessions can reduce stress and anxiety,” she said. “This practice is really about helping participants live in the moment and not worry about what is coming next.” 

“I try to meditate at least twice a week and it definitely helps me clear my mind, especially when I have a busy day,” said Helena Jardine, sophomore nursing major.

Sessions can be booked through the Recreation and Wellness services website.

There are no available sessions for this semester, but there will be more offered in fall. 

Malina Andamasaris is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].