More than 70 students joined in the Wellness Center’s meditation flash mob event Tuesday afternoon on the Lower Quad.

Students wearing “Meditation in Progress” shirts gathered in front of the fountain outside the Anderson Student Center. Wellness Center volunteers stood nearby and gave information to onlookers, some of whom joined the session on the spot.

“I think everyone needs to take a little peace and quiet out of their day from homework and studying,” sophomore Olivia Graham, one of the onlookers drawn into the event, said.

Kaitlyn Slieter, a Wellness Center graduate assistant, said the idea for the flash mob came from a desire to spread awareness for the Project for Mindfulness and Contemplation. This started last year as a way of “educating the UST community in meditative and contemplative practices,” according to the project’s Web page. This project organizes four mediation sessions a week on both St. Thomas campuses.

“We want mindfulness and meditation to be more accessible, to be more friendly to students,” Slieter said. “We want to show students that anyone can do it.”

The practice can reduce stress and anxiety and has even been shown to lower blood pressure, Slieter said. She said she feels calmer and more in control when meditating.

“You’re forced to let your thoughts come and go. You’re both attached to your thoughts, but you’re not engaging in them,” Slieter said.

Elena Neuzil can be reached at neuz3833@stthomas.edu.