COURSE SYLLABUS GUIDE
Beginning Yoga PHYE 134
1 Credit Hour
Semester/Year: Fall 2007 Office Number: Gym 228
Instructor: Jan Mittleider Office Phone: (208) 732-6488
E-Mail:
”Yoga does far more than get you relaxed and help your body to become stronger and more flexible. It’s another way in which you can learn about yourself and come to experience yourself as whole, regardless of your physical condition or level of fitness.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
Course Description:
This course provides a foundation for exploring classical yoga postures as well as the history and philosophy of yoga. Each class includes stretching, strengthening, relaxation techniques, and pre and post flexibility testing.
The student might consider the course as an introduction to the ABC’s of yoga:
Awareness and proficiency of basic yoga postures and personal alignment.
Breath for enhancing energy levels or calming oneself.
Concentration on the body/mind attention to use of energy, using beginning techniques for visualization and relaxation.
Pre-requisites:
None; all students are welcome.
Equipment Needed:
If you prefer, you can provide your own yoga mat.
Course Outcomes and Assessments:
Outcome: Learn a series of beginning yoga asanas or postures
Assessment: Students will demonstrate with appropriate individual modifications during student led teaching moments where student must be able to conduct a teaching segment in a competent manner with peer/instructor evaluation as a midterm and final.
Outcome: Learn basic alignment principles with appropriate modifications.
Assessment: Alignment will be evaluated using a posture/partner assessments and mirror techniques.
Outcome: Learn breathing techniques that calm or enhance personal energy.
Assessment: Students will use personal feedback evaluations of relaxation levels.
Outcome: Introduce and experience simple visualization and relaxation techniques at conclusion of each class.
Assessment: Students will evaluate their personal reaction using a brief dialogue method with a partner and final written response.
Outcome: Choose supplemental activities for enhancement of class activities from Choices.
Assessment: The student will complete assessment exercises or personal evaluations to enhance healthy living skills and give criteria for final written evaluations.
Policies and Procedures:
1. Be “on time” to class. Put your crowded schedule aside and create a rejuvenating space for yourself. Focus on what you are doing each moment.
2. Set reasonable personal goals. Listen to your body. Stretch as far as it is comfortable. Work on the edge of the stretch but back off if there is pain. Discomfort is o.k.; pain is not!
3. Clothing should be comfortable and allow movement. NO JEANS!
4. Be in bare feet for all of the standing poses. Exception: sometimes the class space is cold; you may wish to wear socks during winter months.
5. Feel free to use mats available in class or bring your own sticky mat. Please bring your own small blanket.
6. Don't chew gum or wear large pieces of jewelry that might interfere with safe practice.
7. Breathe, breathe, and breathe. Inhale and exhale through the nose unless otherwise instructed. Use the breath to facilitate relaxation into the posture.
8. Don't compare yourself with others.
9. Make a commitment to practice something everyday even if that something is just a 2-minute breathing segment.
10. Respect other student’s quiet space. Students who are displaying rude or inappropriate behavior that interferes with other students’ experience will be asked to leave the class.
11. Make sure your cell phone is turned “off” during class.
12. If a student is pregnant, check with your physician about the advisability of taking this class at this time.
13. Don’t expect your instructor to drop you if you stop coming to class. If the class does not meet your needs or you accumulate a string of absences, drop the class promptly or you may get an “F.”
14. Plan to enjoy yourself and incorporate positive change into your lifestyle.
Grading Practices:
Attendance is most important with active completion in class with successful completion of CHOICE supplemental activities that will be introduced in class and a 5-minute teaching experience.
0-2 absences = A 3 absences = B 4 absences = C 6 absences = D 7+ absences = F
Incomplete CHOICE activities and/or lack of teaching demonstration will lower your grade by 1 letter grade.
CHOICES to supplement class activities:
You will find an attached, assortment of resources to enhance your body/mind/spirit awareness that can benefit a stress-resistant, hardy, happy person. The following will be submitted for thoughtful completion by the student for maximal benefits at appropriate times indicated in class.
1. Your picture of Health
2. Are you stressed?
3. Physical symptoms questionnaire
4. Stress- resistant personality survey
5. Giving your self esteem a healthy boost
6. Stress related eating behaviors
7. “Poor Sleep Habits” questionnaire
8. “The Time-Crunch” questionnaire / Idea Exchange
9. “1000 Things Went Right” exercise (power of unconscious / conscious mind)
10. Relaxation through the 5 senses
11. The human butterfly
12. The seed; on the power of intension
13. A mandala for personal health
Online Course Evaluation:
Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available online at ation.csi.edu.
Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. The last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in the SUB. When students log in they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!
Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for related accommodations. To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class. Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus. 208.732.6260 (voice), 208.734.9929 (TTY), 208-732-6799 (SECURED FAX), or e-mail .
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