A sanctuary for mindfulness and stress relief

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Being a student and juggling life’s obstacles can be challenging. The Serenity Center at JMU offers a series of workshops in which students can engage in mindful practices.

The lead coordinator of the center, biology professor Dr. Mark Gabriele (’95), oversees and organizes its events. He invites students to unwind and de-stress from life’s everyday tasks and find some inner peace. Gabriele emphasizes that no experience is necessary and that all are welcome, adding that regular attendance helps foster growth in praticing mindfulness.

Students are encouraged to register for events hosted by the Serenity Center such as “De-stress for Well-Being,” “The Mindful Self: Awareness Practices for Remembering the Truth of Who You Are,” “Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan,” “Basic Meditation Techniques” and more on the Be Involved app.

The “De-stress for Well-Being” event examines stress and how students can manage it in a healthy way. “It’s very rare that the situation is stressing us out, but it’s more about what we think about the situation,” Gabriele said.

At these events, students practice breathing exercises. Gabriele aims to not only teach the students, but also listen to them. During a recent workshop, some students described coping mechanisms they use to de-stress, such as working out, communing with nature and hanging with friends.

“They already have a practice of sorts; those are all beautiful forms of meditation. Meditation doesn’t have to look a specific way,” he explained. “The common thread … is that those things are effective in bringing them to the present moment, quieting their mind.”

Gabriele has been teaching meditation at JMU for about five years and was recently asked to step into the role of lead coordinator of the Serenity Center. His personal battles with anxiety began during his first year as a faculty member in 2001. He was having multiple life stressors at once with a new house, job and baby. He went from having little to no anxiety to having panic attacks.

“With continued practice and growing awareness, you’ll recognize that while a chaotic world may seem to surround you, it has no power over the depths of who you are. This shift in perspective is truly transformative, as you realize that the power to shape your life lies within your mind, not outside of it.”

The Serenity Center is located in The Union, Room 419, and is open during normal operating hours.