Students seeking a way to minimize stress can find relief through meditation sessions at the Union.

Graduate student Arpan Yagnik began hosting “om” chanting sessions three times per week in an effort to help students deal with personal pressures and overwhelming schoolwork.

After receiving support from several faculty members and students, he began hosting the sessions in the Union on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Yagnik first realized there was an opportunity to help students through meditation last semester when he was student teaching in media and communication. He saw students struggling because they were stressed and often lacked the concentration and focus to make it through classes that were later in the day.

“I thought, ‘what can be done to help these people?’” Yagnik said.

Based on his cultural background, Yagnik realized that meditation practice and exercises can help.

Yagnik praised the mental and physiological benefits of practicing meditation through the chanting of the sound “om.”

“Om” is a Sanskrit sound most often encountered in the Hindu religion, but has been known to appear in other eastern religions like Buddhism, Yagnik said.

Chanting the sound can lead to multiple changes in a person’s physiology, Yagnik said. When practiced properly through meditation, a person can calm their body by breathing and pronouncing the sound, which Yagnik said can increase endorphins and leave a person feeling relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.

“It renews your energy,” he said.

Graduate student Shruthi Rajoli has been going to sessions since they started.

“I always leave feeling energized,” Rajoli said. “I had never done this before.”

The meditation is derived from religious practices, but these sessions have no religious ties or affiliations.

“You can come, say ‘om,’ and go home,” Yagnik said.

A session lasts about 30 minutes and gives participants a way to get rid of negative thoughts by focusing on the meditation and chanting the sound.

For those unfamiliar with the practice, Yagnik said he encourages everyone to try it.

Stephanie Longmire, a senior at the University, holds open meditation sessions in Bowling Green for The Common Good. Longmire says meditation is beneficial but worries some people may look down on the sessions.

“[Meditation] gives you a time to do nothing.” Longmire said. “But doing nothing is devalued in our society.”

The Common Good hosts meditation sessions two times per week for an hour. Participants sit on pillows in a dark room while incense burns.

“I feel relaxed and at ease afterwards.” Longmire said.

Students, professors and the community are welcome to attend sessions at The Common Good as well as the sessions hosted on campus.

Yagnik chose the Union as the location for the chanting meditations sessions because it is open to all members of the community and is free to access. Those who wish to attend the sessions don’t have to be a student or faculty member. Participants just have to be willing to open their minds to new things.

Hoping to expand the sessions soon, Yagnik has recently begun booking several rooms for sessions later during the day around 5:30 p.m.

Because many people struggle through the afternoon, feeling tired and unable to focus, Yagnik said he hopes these later sessions will become popular for those who cannot attend the morning sessions due to class or work.

In the future, Yagnik would like to see “om” chanting sessions requested by University organizations and groups as a way to reduce stress as well as a way to embrace a form of culture.

“These are the beauties of being on a culturally diverse campus,” Yagnik said. “And if this works for you, great.”