Mind and body Monday debuts

Mind and Body Event Pictured: Johnesha Jackson, President of Addiction Dance Experience (2nd person from the top left with hat) and student attendees.
Photo submitted by Ashley Johnson 

The Efferson Student Union and Addiction Dance Experience implemented the first mind and body Monday event on campus.

The event was intended to allow students to relieve stress and unwind. The event was held in the multipurpose room D from 6-8 p.m.

The Efferson Student Union is making an effort to increase student involvement on campus. It is believed that collaborating with student organizations will result in increased participation.

 Every week the Office of Student Activities will aim to implement events on campus to get students involved. This process has already begun with the newly implemented wind down Wednesdays and free snacks given during the week.

 Addiction Dance Experience kicked off the first mind and body Monday. “We already do dance workshops and the first day of the workshops is always stretching, so this was perfect to host the mind and body event,” Johnesha Jackson, a senior agricultural science major and president of Addiction Dance Experience, said.

Addiction Dance Experience was created in 2011 and has 12 members. 

The dance group hosts dance workshops during the summer that incorporates stretching, auxiliary band style dancing (also known as hip hop) and contemporary style dance. The workshops can range from 15-30 students. 

Jackson expected a good turnout for the mind and body event since they were partnering with the Efferson Student Union. “I love collaborating with them, you can now fill out an application where the Efferson Student Union can pub events for you through university emails,” Jackson said.

 “This is a great event for the ending of the semester, midterms just ended now students have to worry about finals,” Jackson said. “Stretching is imperative because you are not only helping your body but keeping yourself calm.”

Jackson continued to share the importance of stretching, explaining that 10-15 minutes of stretching for at least three days out of the week will result in having a good week.

 “Not all students like to talk about their problems,” Jackson said. “With the Efferson Student Union having these events it can take away the stress without talking to anyone.”

Ashley Johnson, a junior pre-occupational therapy major, and Efferson Student Union student event planner, assisted in creating the mind and body Monday event.

 “The Efferson Student Union wanted to have something where students can focus on themselves,” Johnson said. “We want to contribute to health and wellness and give a break from the stress of school.” 

Mind and body Monday will be a monthly event and it will incorporate different organizations each time. 

To have participation from a variety of organizations the Efferson Student Union created a form on iStrike where organizations are able to choose the events they would like to join. 

The next mind and body Monday is expected to be in the beginning of November.