There’s always room for stillness—even in the most unexpected of spaces.
(Photo: Design in Canva)
Published October 5, 2026 10:52AM
Calin Van Paris is a longtime wellness editor who is fascinated by the constant evolution within the space. Here, she talks to Sweat and Soak founder and “wellness darty” host Martin Mocs about the self-care celebrations cropping up on college campuses.
When we heard about “wellness darties”—a new kind of college gathering that features activities including cold plunges, running, and yoga rather than alcohol and general debauchery; “darty” indicating a daytime party—we were both unsurprised and a little skeptical. Unsurprised, because Gen Z came of age during the wellness boom and tends to gravitate toward gamified self-care (think “maxxing“) and less alcohol consumption.
Skeptical, because, even with the best intentions in mind, how does a large group of college kids in any sort of party atmosphere calm down long enough for a yoga flow?
It seems that, when strategically sandwiched between more active and social pursuits, stillness belongs at this new sort of celebration.
Gen Z’s Wellness Major and Yoga
Wellness darties may be a far cry from what most associate with a college party. But Marty Mocs, founder of wellness darty host company Sweat and Soak, says that’s kind of the point—and that these darties are more representative of his generation.
“I think it’s part of Gen Z. We want to focus on our mental and physical health,” says Mocs. “We want to have fun in a way where we know that we can be covered for the next day and that we’re actually bettering ourselves.” Mocs adds that since this is still a college experience, everyone should be having fun and socializing.
And for Mocs, including yoga in the schedule was actually a must.
“There is beauty in kind of a silence, stillness, and simplicity, when you’re doing yoga and you’re just mindful of the present—like, where you are, ” says Mocs. He adds that the benefits of this sort of pause are even more valuable for college students these days, given all of the tech they—and all of us—are constantly inundated with. “It is hard to find that time where it’s peaceful and you can really focus on the present moment.”
Sweat and Soak hires local instructors to come out and teach a 30-minute class. As for creating a sense of stillness within the framework of a college kickback, the feat is accomplished by segmenting the event, with quieter introspection sandwiched between active pursuits and party time with loud music.
“The first part is the HIIT workout, the Pilates, and yoga and more of a quiet time,” explains Mocs. “Then after it’s more goes into the social hour with a DJ and then recovery with IV hydration, saunas, and cold plunges.”
All About Balance
This ethos of “bettering” oneself—and in turn, the world—extends to Sweat and Soak’s original mission. Mocs founded the company two years ago after losing his mother to breast cancer. It started with what he calls a “Wellness Coachella” at his own college, Liberty University, which ended up raising just under $5000 to support a woman struggling with the disease. After the event, a few schools reached out. Now, the company is scaling, with sponsors including Lululemon, Red Bull, Pure Barre, local health and wellness outfits, and more showing up to support students.
Wellness darties are ticketed, and entry runs around $10 per student.
The company continues to spread breast cancer awareness and is expanding to support additional causes, including women’s heart health and more.
But the goal, ultimately, is about encouraging students to pursue the things that make them feel good. “The basis of this all is is to help Gen Z kind of incorporate that balanced lifestyle,” says Mocs. “But all through like, a fun environment.”
This is still college, after all.
