Collaboration on Auckland campus helps students to breathe easy

The ‘Breathe’ series consisted of four in-person sessions hosted in the Halls’ Te Rito Lounge, which allowed students to participate in yoga, meditation, stretching and tai chi sessions.

The students also had access to four recorded sessions which covered knowledge on topics including nutrition, mindfulness, balancing the circle of life and the all-important sleep.

Auckland Recreation and Wellbeing Coordinator Kay-Leigh Haycock says the series provided a great way to help students focus on taking time for themselves.

“Semester two is always a crazy busy time for our students and we find they can struggle with balancing a mental break alongside their studies and other responsibilities. The idea behind the series was to give students a way to disconnect from their screens, studies and scrolling and connect with themselves through a lovely, welcoming space.”

The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting it was exactly what they needed and they would be using the breathing and stretching techniques to help combat stress while studying.

Psychology student Ananya Sharma says the series couldn’t have come at a better time for her.

“The Breathe series was amazing and lined up perfectly with my studies, in the sense that there wasn’t heaps going on but I still needed the break. Though I couldn’t attend all four classes, the ones I did join in were amazing and I learnt a lot.”

Following the success of the series, the Recreation Centre and the Halls team are planning to offer something similar in 2024.