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Mindful University Project
Office of the Provost
Students with one hand on heart and one on belly in meditation postures

Mindfulness Offerings

Mindfulness Class offerings

Calming U

Unleash the potential of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion in this empowering 4-week course tailored to University of Rochester students. By blending guided meditation practices, introspective exercises, and meaningful discussions, participants will foster heightened self-awareness, emotional resilience, and thoughtful responses to obstacles. Embracing a calmer, more focused, and growth-oriented mindset, students will be equipped with invaluable tools to conquer academic challenges and flourish both personally and academically throughout their college journey.

OUTbreath Edition for LGBTQ+ Folks

Following the practices in “A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation” by Jacoby Ballard, Kyle Trenshaw will facilitate a queer-centered space of shared experience and support in which participants can develop mindfulness skills for stress-reduction and relaxation. All members of the campus community are welcome to join this practice; however, allies will be asked to “step back” in order to make space for queer voices during debriefs and commit to contributing to safety for everyone in attendance.

Meditative Guide for Us

Join our inclusive meditation class tailored for the U of R black community, fostering self-discovery and self-care through deep breathing, visualization, and guided meditation. Our experienced instructor, Deontae McLachlan, addresses unique challenges, drawing from personal experiences as a Black individual who has personally benefitted from the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness has encouraged him to cultivate self-awareness, navigate racial stress, build emotional resilience, and foster connection within my community.  Embrace this opportunity to build these skills as well as explore other mental and emotional benefits of meditation, such as reduced anxiety, improved focus, creativity, and better sleep. Prioritize your well-being with the incorporation of valuable resources, including “Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us” by Justin Michael Williams and “For Indigenous Minds Only: A Decolonization Handbook” edited by Waziyatawin and Michael Yellow Bird. These resources serve as the foundation for the class, offering insights and techniques to enhance your meditation practice. Together, we’ll celebrate your growth in a nurturing community where your voice and experiences are valued.

Sign up for workshops

Join us this Spring for our array of mindfulness courses. Follow our newsletter to stay up to date when classes are released!

Trauma-Informed Statement

The team of University of Rochester Mindful University Project teachers are committed to the expectation that all individuals in our courses who seek our services should be met with a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment. Our teachers are knowledgeable about the impact of trauma, recognize how trauma can manifest in the body and mind, incorporate trauma-informed mindfulness practices into their teaching, and actively seek to prevent re-traumatization.

However, we acknowledge that mindfulness practices are not a cure-all to emotional distress and/or trauma. Those who are living with trauma and engage in mindfulness practices, particularly sustained attention to their internal experience, may experience heightened emotions of traumatic stress and/or potential re-traumatization. If at any point you notice signs of distress or are triggered, our teachers are available to meet with you privately to help better support you in your mindfulness practice and connect you to any on-campus therapeutic resources you may need.

In addition to your instructor, I strongly encourage you to contact the many other support services on campus that stand ready to assist you.

Students: 

Employees: 

Entire University Community: 

Rave reviews

Here’s what people are saying about their experience learning to meditate.

“Learning how to meditate and be more mindful was one of the best things I’ve done as a student here. I’ve struggled with anxiety for many years and became really overwhelmed by everything by my sophomore year. My grades started to fall as I slept less and tried to take on more and more. I’m so thankful for the skills I learned in this class. It’s not only made me a better student but it’s also made me a happier person!”

“As a graduate student, most of my time is spent in the lab. As I focused more and more on my research, I struggled with a mind that never stopped racing. Because of this class, I am better able to manage my day-to-day stresses. My thoughts may still be bouncing all over the place at times, but I’m not as stressed out about it anymore.”