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Knit, Meditate or Drum Your Way to Mindfulness

Attend a free class in yoga, tai chi and more through April

Weekly meditation classes are offered at the Student Wellness Center.
Weekly meditation classes are offered for employees and students at the Student Wellness Center.
Jonathan Black @WorkingatDuke

Duke community members looking to tap into their well-being have a wealth of activities to choose from at the Duke Student Wellness Center.   

The center offers weekly meditation, yoga, tai chi, knitting, tea tasting and drum circle classes through April 24. Each lesson is free and open to students, staff and faculty. All skill levels are welcome. 

Tom Szigethy, associate dean of students and director of the Student Wellness Center, said mindfulness practices, like these classes, assist people in managing mental and emotional well-being, a core area of the Healthy Duke Initiative. 

“The lessons teach us daily behaviors to facilitate a wellness practice that expands beyond nutrition and exercise,” he said. “We are striving to shape a community culture of wellness.” 

John Little, who works in Bostock Library, attends tai chi classes at the Student Wellness Center. The ancient Chinese tradition is a series of movements performed slowly with deep breathing. 

“The tai chi classes were a nice way to decompress at the end of work,” said Little, data science librarian for Duke University Libraries.  

Find a lesson that works for you in the Student Wellness Center:

  • Guided Meditation: Mondays from 11-11:50 a.m. and Wednesdays from 12-12:50 p.m. Room 148. 
  • Guided Sound Meditations: Tuesdays from 11-11:50 a.m. Room 148.
  • Yoga: Mondays from 4-4:50 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11-11:50 a.m.; and Thursdays from 12-12:50 p.m. Room 148. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats. 
  • Tai Chi: Tuesdays from 4-4:50 p.m. Room 148.
  • Knitting Group: Wednesdays from 6:30-7:20 p.m. Room 129 in Oasis West. Materials are provided. 
  • Drum Circles: Thursdays from 5-5:50 p.m. Room 148.
  • Tea Tastings: Sundays and Thursdays from 5-5:50 p.m. Room 129 in Oasis West. A variety of teas and herbs will be provided for participants to create their own tea bags. Traditional tea sets will be available to brew the drink.

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