COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES Department of Kinesiology Sport and Recreation Office Spring 2015 Course Number, Title, and Credit Hours: SPT&REC 298, Meditation: The Journey Inward, 1 credit Special Course fee: None Location: Plymouth Church, Graham Hall-2 nd floor 2717 E Hampshire Ave One block east of Mitchell Hall on Hampshire Ave Section Number and Day/Times: Lec 109 W 7:00 PM-8:50 PM 01/26/15-05/07/15 Instructor: Anna Rychner Email and/or Phone Number: shaktiwaves@ameritech.net 414-333-9676 Additional Contact: If you are unable to reach the instructor, contact the Sport & Rec Office at 414-227-3123 or email chs-outreach@uwm.edu. Description of course objectives: An introduction to meditation as a tool for healing and self- awareness. Meditation is the ultimate way to relax the mind and focus on internal states of awareness. It is helpful in releasing negative habit patterns, relieving stress and dissolving physical tension. Techniques to quiet the mind include; breathing, sound, posture and movement of energy in the body. Pre-requisite(s): None. This is an introductory course. If you think you have an advanced skill, immediately see the instructor. On discretion of the instructor, a student may be dropped from the course because the content is not appropriate. Required and Recommended Readings: Happiness is Your Creation, Swami Rama, compiled by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Himalayan Institute Press, Honesdale, PA, 2005 and Meditation and its Practice, Swami Rama, Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, Honesdale, PA, 1992 Required and Recommended Equipment/Material(s): CD by Anna Rychner "Relax and Breathe" available at UWM bookstore.
Tips for successful participation in class: Do not eat a heavy meal prior to class. Drink small amounts of fluids. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Maintain a state of relaxed attention. Turn off all electronic devices during class. Remove shoes at door. Grading Policies: Grade is based on attendance and active participation, as well as a written report on assigned reading. Attendance - 35% Participation in class discussion - 15% Demonstration of asanas and meditation/relaxation techniques - 40% Written assignments 10% Grading Scale: A 94-100 A- 90-93 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73 D+ 67-69 D 64-66 D- 60-63 F Less than 60 Schedule: Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Introductions Discussion of Self-Awareness Personal histories of meditative experiences. Seated Meditative Relaxation Exercise Turning the Mind Inward The Yoga of Eight Limbs as preparation for meditation Systematic Relaxation Seated Meditation to Begin the Journey Power of Breath as Tool for Meditation Anatomy and Physiology of Breath Autonomic Nervous System in r/t breathing practices Deep Relaxation on Breath Awareness Seated Meditation practice
Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Physical Practices in preparation for meditation Gentle Yoga exercises Relaxation into Muscles and joints Seated Meditation practice Pranayama, the Vital Link Prana, the Vital Force Chakras as Wheels of Energy Counting Breath Exercise Seated Meditation practice Balancing Energy Polarity in the Body Right and Left Brain Activity, the Moon and Sun within Introduction to Alternate Nostril Breathing for Balance Coordination/relaxation exercise Seated Meditation for balancing Obstacles in Meditation Mental, Emotional, Social, Dietary, Posture, Erratic breathing for Overcoming Obstacles Svadhyaya, Self-study Pranayama, Nadi Shodanam for calming Seated Meditation to study mind/anxiety Pratyahara, Withdrawel of the Senses Internal vs. External Objects of Meditation Yoni Mudra exercise with Deep Relaxation Seated Meditation with focus on Sense Withdrawel Dharana, Methods of Concentrating the Mind Use of props; malas, candles, blankets, shawls, pictures 31 Points Exercise Seated Meditation Dharana, Increasing Concentration Skills Identifying the Space within to Meditate
61 Points Exercise Seated Meditation Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Dhyana, Tools for Meditation Finding a Comfortable Seat The Use of Sound Vibration Universal mantra Meditation practice based on 5 Steps Mapping the Mind Understanding the Five Sheaths in Yoga Manas, Buddhi, Chita, Ahamkara, Atman Yoga practices to witness all aspects of the mind Pranayama practice as preliminary Seated Meditation using 5 steps Beyond Ego Ishwara Pranidhana, Surrendering to Self s Using Meditation Tools to move beyond Ego toward Atman Systematic Relaxation/Meditation Full Meditation practice Reaching your goals About Samadhi, higher consciousness The above schedule may change due to time constraints. Attendance requirements: Any student who does not participate in classes cannot expect to satisfactorily complete course objectives and therefore should consider dropping the course. Guidelines for wireless and electronic devices in the classroom: The guidelines are on the College of Health Sciences website under the current student resources section http://www4.uwm.edu/chs/students/current_students/guide_elec_wireless_in_class.cfm Definition of a credit hour: This is a 1 credit course. Students are expected to invest approximately 6+ hours per week in class activities. This includes class participation, lectures and outside assignments.
University Policies 1. Students with disabilities. If you will need accommodations to meet any of the requirements of this course please contact me as soon as possible. Verification of disability, class standards, the policy on the use of alternate materials and test accommodations can be found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/sac/sacltr.pdf 2. Religious observances. Policies regarding accommodations for absences due to religious observance are found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s1.5.htm 3. Students called to active military duty. Accommodations for absences due to call-up of reserves to active military duty should be noted. http://www4.uwm.edu/academics/military.cfm 4. Incompletes. The conditions for awarding an incomplete to graduate and undergraduate students can be found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s31.pdf 5. Discriminatory conduct (such as sexual harassment). Definitions of discrimination, harassment, abuse of power, and the reporting requirements of discriminatory conduct are found at the following: https://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s_47.pdf 6. Academic misconduct. Policies for addressing students cheating on exams or plagiarism can be found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/dos/conduct/academic-misconduct.cfm and http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm 7. Class misconduct: Disruption of class, harassment, and any behavior considered hazardous to others may be cause for dismissal from class. 8. Complaint procedures. Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic unit or department in which the complaint occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the department or academic unit in which the complaint occurred or to the appropriate university office responsible for enforcing the policy. http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s49.7.htm 9. Grade appeal procedures. Procedures for student grade appeal appear at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s28.htm 10. Final examination policy. Policies regarding final examinations can be found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s22.htm
11. Firearms and dangerous weapons policy. Policy regarding firearms and dangerous weapons can be found at the following: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/s24.5.pdf Assumption of Risk: Students are notified that this course/activity has inherent hazards, exposures, and risks, some known and some unanticipated, which could result in harm, injury (physical or mental), illness, diseases, death or damages to the student, the student s property or to other third parties or their property. By enrolling in and continuing to participate in this course/activity, students are voluntarily agreeing to assume all of the inherent hazards, exposures, and risks associated with this course. Students must accept full responsibility for their own health and wellbeing by participating in this activity. Students must also accept full responsibility for third parties whose health and well-being are affected by the students participation in this course/activity. Students are also notified that UWM does not provide any accident or health insurance to cover participation in the course/activity, and that students are responsible to provide their own such insurance. Students will not be required to sign a separate Assumption of Risk, Waiver, and Release form for this course/activity.