Kinesiology

Mindfulness practice is bringing full, non-judgmental attention to what is happening in the present moment. Classes include instruction in four core practices: body scan, mindful yoga, sitting, and walking meditation. The practical application of mindfulness in mind-body awareness, health maintenance, mindful eating, stress reduction, and communication will be explored through exercises & group discussion.

Aikido is a traditional, non-violent yet effective Japanese martial art. Aikido focuses on harmonizing with your opponent to bring peaceful resolution to conflict situations. Students learn how to redirect an attacker's energy into joint locks and throws. This course focuses on the basics of aikido, including conditioning, safe falling and rolling, and self-defense techniques.

This course strives to develop the mind and body through martial arts. There will be an introduction to basic moves followed by more challenging techniques over the course of the semester. There is an equal emphasis on striking and grappling. This course is only offered when there is a qualified instructor available.

Spending time in nature and practicing mindfulness are two of the best ways to destress and stay balanced and resilient. This course is focused on learning mindfulness through connecting with the natural world and hiking the nature trails on grounds. Each week we will explore principles of mindfulness, emotional resilience, and nature connection through both playful and reflective activities in nature.

Through this course, you will learn foundational skills for bringing mindfulness-based contemplative practices into your personal life, community, and professional environments. Students will deepen their own mindfulness practice while learning to lead contemplative practices and infuse mindfulness into facilitation and leadership settings. Students will apply what they are learning to a specific dimension of their life.

Spending time in nature enhances physical and mental wellbeing. This course focuses on how to engage with nature in the most impactful and safe way possible. Classes will include engaging nature (i.e., "forest bathing"), demystifying the outdoors, planning appropriately for a safe wilderness engagement, and discussing the history of Grounds as a restorative setting. Classes will routinely incorporate hikes or walks on and off Grounds.

All tennis classes include participants from beginners through intermediate/advanced players. Instruction is tailored to the level of class participants. Classes stress proper use of the basic fundamentals including proper strokes, court positions and strategy for singles and doubles. Rules, terminology, and etiquette are equally stressed.

Pickleball is a Lifetime Physical Activity class that will focus on skill development and understanding of strategies and rules of the game. The game, one of the fastest growing activities in the U.S., is played with a paddle, wiffle ball, and a three-foot high net on a badminton-sized court. The class will have an emphasis on basic skills, scoring, rules, etiquette, and strategy.

The basic fundamentals of skills and shots, including serves, forehand, and backhand are stressed, along with rules and game strategy. All levels are welcome. A racquet can be provided, but all participants will need their own protective eyewear and non-marking shoes.

This class is open to beginners through intermediate/advanced players. Classes emphasize the fundamental skills and rules of volleyball, as well as basic team play and strategy.

This class is open to beginners through intermediate/advanced players. Covers the basic skills of soccer such as dribbling, shooting, passing, heading, and trapping. Students will learn drills and participate in game playing.

An intermediate-level class, as well as a class specifically for women are offered. Emphasis is on the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting and rebounding. Rules and game strategy are also covered and practiced through participation in games throughout the class.

The emphasis of this class is on the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting and rebounding. Rules and game strategy are also covered and practiced through participation in drills and games throughout the class.

This class is open to beginners through intermediate/advanced players. Instruction is provided on a group basis at a local golf club (Birdwood). Emphasis is placed on grip, stance, and swing in addition to etiquette and rules. Additional fees apply to this class. Note that students are required to find their own transportation to Birdwood Golf Course.

The basic fundamentals of skills and shots, including serves, forehand, and backhand are stressed, along with the rules and game strategy. Singles and doubles play will be stressed.

Beginning (I) and intermediate (II) levels of swimming are offered (simultaneously; instructors will determine participant levels the first week of the class). The beginner level is designed for students who have little or no prior swimming knowledge and emphasizes basic stroke development and safety skills. The intermediate level stresses the improvement of strokes, kicking and breathing. Deep water skills are also taught.

This course is designed to improve fitness level through cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility training. It also covers stroke mechanics, basic water safety, and components of fitness. A basic knowledge of swim strokes and ability to swim multiple laps is required.

Beginning scuba (I) is offered for those with no experience or certification. Advanced scuba (II) requires that the student possess a basic scuba certification. Both classes emphasize the skills of skin diving and scuba, along with the physiology of diving, first aid, and decompression. Both classes are offered off-grounds and have additional fees.

Prerequisites: Basic Scuba Certification. Class meetings are held off campus at local dive sites, and transportation is the student's responsibility. Contact instructor directly for class fee, and rental needs if you do not have all the equipment needed.

This is a coed class intended for all levels of experience with weight training. Emphasis is placed on learning proper lifting technique and designing individualized programs.

Yoga is the practice of uniting the mind and body in a series of postures or a meditation in motion. The type of yoga offered will be contingent on the skills of the instructor. All yoga classes focus on a series of postures that strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, energize the body and cultivate mental and emotional calmness. The class will begin with instruction on basic postures and progress to an intermediate level.

Climbing improves strength, agility, balance, and mental stamina. This course is geared mostly for beginners and will focus on technique and training strategies to enjoy this lifetime sport. Most classes will be on the Bouldering Wall at the Outdoor Recreation Center with some sessions at the Poplar Ridge Challenge Course to introduce belaying and other rope-based skills.

Emphasis is placed on increasing cardiovascular endurance through various forms of exercise, including, but not limited to, aerobic dance, circuit training, running, and other aerobic activities. Resistance exercise will also be included such as squats, push-ups, crunches, and weights.

Open to runners of all levels. Instruction may include road, off-road, speedwork, interval training, and hill work. Training to meet individual needs.

This class is for women of all ability and experience levels, but is especially designed for women with little to no formal instruction in weight training. Emphasis is placed on learning proper lifting technique and designing individualized programs.