2008 Woodie Awards
Mindful meditation stifles spring stress
By: Kristen Mooney
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Campus
"Meditation is bringing attention to a moment-by-moment experience," Belzer said. "It's hard, very hard work. But I love it."
Both Belzer and University fitness instructor Betsy Kovar said there are more benefits to meditation than simply enjoying quiet retreats. In fact, Kovar said, meditation can help students relieve both physical and emotional stressors.
"We're so blinded by egos and materialism and drama," she said. "Eastern culture and philosophy lets you get rid of those worries."
Through meditation, students can learn to think more positively and stop worrying about the past or future, Kovar added.
"[Meditation has] changed my whole outlook on life," she said. "You learn to accept and love yourself for who you are. It's like going to church."
Rohrs added that meditation is also an excellent tool for decision making. In his own life, Rohrs meditates to solve anything from academic worries to relationship struggles.
"[Meditation] helps bring the problem into sharp focus," he said. "It lets me clear the extra stuff out of my head and makes you aware of what's going on in your life."
This is particularly true during the final weeks of school, he said, noting that students can find calm in the midst of all the stress by meditating for even just five minutes.
"When final projects are crashing down, the ability to totally empty your head is great," he said. "You can enjoy things more."
In addition to the emotional benefits of meditation, Belzer and Kovar also emphasized the physical advantages that come with mindfulness. In particular, both instructors said that with practice, people who meditate can learn to release symptoms of illness, including migraines, mental anxiety and other physical pain.
"It's mind over body," Kovar said. "Eventually, you can meditate chakras and release stress and mental problems."
Chakras, she said, are seven energy channels in the body that, with focus, can be opened to help rid a person of illnesses.
Both Belzer and University fitness instructor Betsy Kovar said there are more benefits to meditation than simply enjoying quiet retreats. In fact, Kovar said, meditation can help students relieve both physical and emotional stressors.
"We're so blinded by egos and materialism and drama," she said. "Eastern culture and philosophy lets you get rid of those worries."
Through meditation, students can learn to think more positively and stop worrying about the past or future, Kovar added.
"[Meditation has] changed my whole outlook on life," she said. "You learn to accept and love yourself for who you are. It's like going to church."
Rohrs added that meditation is also an excellent tool for decision making. In his own life, Rohrs meditates to solve anything from academic worries to relationship struggles.
"[Meditation] helps bring the problem into sharp focus," he said. "It lets me clear the extra stuff out of my head and makes you aware of what's going on in your life."
This is particularly true during the final weeks of school, he said, noting that students can find calm in the midst of all the stress by meditating for even just five minutes.
"When final projects are crashing down, the ability to totally empty your head is great," he said. "You can enjoy things more."
In addition to the emotional benefits of meditation, Belzer and Kovar also emphasized the physical advantages that come with mindfulness. In particular, both instructors said that with practice, people who meditate can learn to release symptoms of illness, including migraines, mental anxiety and other physical pain.
"It's mind over body," Kovar said. "Eventually, you can meditate chakras and release stress and mental problems."
Chakras, she said, are seven energy channels in the body that, with focus, can be opened to help rid a person of illnesses.
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