Students join Balance UT’s sunset yoga session in Plant Park, taught by a Yoga Six instructor. Photo courtesy of Sophia Romana.
By Sophia Romana
TAMPA, Fla. — Balance UT, one of the student organizations at The University of Tampa, offers wellness events aimed at helping students relax, restore, and rejuvenate during the semester.
The club operates under UTampa’s LiveWell Initiative. Balance UT is built around activities that give students outlets to prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
The variety of events is designed to be relaxing, low-pressure, and easy to fit between students’ hectic schedules.
Regular events include guided meditation sessions every other Monday in Sykes Chapel, vision-board making, sunset yoga classes, themed journaling events, and wellness walks.
During events, the club provides free snacks, drinks, and self-care products to student attendees.
Balance UT’s most popular event, goat yoga, is held once each semester. During this event, local company Goat Yoga Tampa leads a free session in Plant Park for students. This semester, the goat yoga session is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Hannah Walls, a junior journalism student at UTampa, said the event has become a staple for her every semester, and she always looks forward to it.
“I have gone to goat yoga every single semester I’ve been here,” Walls said. “It’s such a unique event you can’t get from any other club.”
Balance UT also partners with local Tampa companies for some of their events. Earlier this semester, the club hosted a yoga session with a professional Yoga Six instructor.
The club also collaborates with other student organizations. This past October, they partnered with ANEW UT for a joint Meditation Monday session.
Balance UT’s events draw strong interest from UTampa students. Nearly 700 students are registered with the organization on InvolveUT, reflecting strong demand for wellness-focused activities on campus.
The club’s mission aligns with a broader national conversation about student mental health. A recent Healthy Minds Study surveyed about 84,000 students at 135 universities. Key findings included 37% screening positive for moderate or severe depressive symptoms, and 33% screening positive for moderate or severe anxiety symptoms.
As students face these issues, campus organizations like Balance UT that prioritize wellness can be a very helpful outlet.
The focus of wellness is core to Balance UT, and it carries into its outreach beyond campus as well.
This past October, club president Noel Jeskulski presented at the Academy of Holy Names to speak with younger students about wellness habits.
Students at UTampa facing high stress levels often turn to the club most during midterms and finals.
“I love going to their yoga events,” junior business management student Sophia Petersson said. “It’s a good distraction from schoolwork and helps me clear my mind when I’m stressed.”
Petersson also values the accessibility of the events, noting that similar off-campus options often cost money.
Balance UT’s events remain an option for students looking for a break from their busy lives and would benefit from free relaxation activities on campus.
Students interested in upcoming events, including information for goat yoga registration, can follow Balance UT on Instagram (@BalanceUT). New attendees are welcome throughout the semester.