If you walk along the mall at all during the week, you have probably seen someone standing at the end of the road in front of Murrow Hall, juggling. That someone is Bergen Whitney and I took the time this week to learn how to juggle from the best on campus.
Whitney is a chemical engineer who has found a hobby in juggling. Starting about 4 years ago, Whitney picked up a few bean bags and started learning how to juggle.
He said he picked it up because juggling clears his mind and helps him focus. He explained all the science behind why it helps mentally and physically. Whitney equates juggling to a brisk walk in terms of workout level.
Because he is able to juggle multiple hours a week, it helps him stay active. A few years back he was into weightlifting but after hurting his wrist he had to take a step back.
“When I have time, I juggle about 2 hours every other day but when things get busy, it becomes around 2 hours a week,” said Whitney.
For Whitney, this hobby turned into far more. He is now well into his years of juggling and has taught many people the basic steps to learn it. When he isn’t in class or studying, Whitney finds himself in that same spot at the end of the mall, juggling.
Whitney says the social aspect is also impactful. He often teaches multiple people a day. He told me how when people come back even after not practicing they are a little better than before but more importantly he is just happy to see them come back.
“It’s like riding a bike. You may have good days and bad days but you always have the basics once you have them,” said Whitney.
Through juggling, he has met new people and been able to teach them a little something about his craft. It brings him and the others joy every time.
I got the opportunity to learn how to juggle from him at the mall a few weeks ago and again this week in the library. He taught me the basic move of juggling three. The technique is when the first bag is thrown, once it switches direction and starts to come back down, the next bag is thrown, than the next one and so on.
Juggling is not for the faint of heart. It took me quite a few tries and I haven’t moved past throwing each one more than once, but everyone starts somewhere.
“I used to daydream a lot and struggle in things like math but juggling clears my head and those things have improved,” said Whitney.
Whitney told me when people are juggling they tend to be more open and honest so he gets to have real conversations with people. Having something to do that tunes your different motor skills as well as being in active motion allows the mind to relax, allowing the person to open up more. Whitney explained these things to me while we were talking and it was clear he has put a lot of time and research into this talent.
Next time you walk down the mall you may run into Bergen Whitney juggling in between classes or after a long day, so make sure to go say hi and maybe learn a thing or two about juggling.
