Taking a Panther Pause

By Cassandra Bretl

UW-Milwaukee took time Monday to remind Panthers to take a deep breath and stay calm when preparing for final exams. Different clubs and organizations came together in the Union for the third time in UWM history to plan Panther Pause.

The Wisconsin room was separated into two elaborate rooms. One room included dim lights and meditation music to listen to while sipping on hot cocoa or coffee. Activities included ornament making, a fancy labyrinth walk, an oxygen bar and aroma therapy. The second room, brightly lit and a bit louder, was just as relaxing. Massage chairs and yoga movements were taken advantage of by UWM students starting at 11 a.m. and continuing till 3 p.m.

Elizabeth Albers, a member of the Women’s Resource Center for three years and a master student in Anthropology, considers herself a devout feminist. She says Panther Pause “is empowering and provides equality for women.” She volunteered to hand out blue BioDots, reminding students to keep a calm and peaceful attitude during final exams. Coloring mandalas were also available at the Women’s Resource Center booth. They are known to keep students’ mind focused while at ease.

When Michaela Murry, an undergraduate assistant at sociocultural programing, was asked what the overall mission of Panther Pause is, she replied, “to keep students relaxed, increase mental health and have a break before the pressure of finals take over.”

Students could feel the relaxation and energy the slogan, “chill me out and charge me up,” gave out. These words were promoted on numerous posters displayed all through the Union and other building on campus.

Ray Hovendick, an undecided freshman, says the event is, “Fun and stress relieving. It keeps my mind off other things.” Hovendick’s favorite activities were yoga movements with URec, the aromatherapy with the LGBT Resource Center and the oxygen bar provided by Campus Activities Board.

Lindsey Bangsberg, a freshman student studying film, says Panther Pause is a, “stress relief to prepare you for final exams. It gives students a break from studying.” The oxygen bar is a common favorite, according to Bangsberg.

A meditation labyrinth was one of the many quiet activities available to Panthers. Rachel Young Binter, a five-year member at the Spiritual and Religious Community and a pastor at the Corner House in Milwaukee, has dreamed of providing a meditation labyrinth for her students on retreats. Binter sees the labyrinth as a way to quiet the mind, reflect on life, and discover a balance.

Binter was first introduced to a labyrinth in downtown Milwaukee. The results of her walk was an unwinding of her life events and stressors. She felt as though she could make healthy decisions to create less stress in her life. Binter desires that the activity will have the same results on Panther students.

Many students from the LGBT center volunteered at the aromatherapy station. One of these volunteers is Kit, a freshman student at UWM studying nursing. She gave fellow Panthers tips on what scent to pick depending on what their current stressors are. Kit’s favorite scent is head ease because it helps the pain of migraines to be less severe. Other scents like lemon balm, help with headaches and eucalyptus that help with cold sores.

This December marks the third year Panther Pause has been provided for UWM students.  Student worker Aaron Nelson, a graduate student, said that he hoped “students can take the information for a healthier lifestyle.” Nelson was enthusiastic about the attendance at the event, “it’s been the most in three years [since] we’ve been doing it.”

Many students including Albers said they thoroughly enjoyed being pampered for a day and would absolutely participate again. Monday’s grand revival allowed students and faculty to come together and build campus community.

Murry captures the unity and relation students feel when discussing the purpose of recharging at Panther Pause, “no matter what year you are, we all need to get though finals.”