Physical Education Department



University of Southern California - Physical Education Department

PHED 120b - Intermediate Yoga

Instructor:

Catherine Grace Baker, CYT

Email: cathergb@usc.edu

Office hours:

M-TH – TBD by appointment

Office: PHED 213 (next to South Gym) Tel: 213-740-2488 ext. 06431 Fax: 213-821-1058[pic]Course Description:

A more in-depth study of Classical Yoga as it relates within the context of the five classical elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space) – which constitute Prakriti.

Course Objectives:

This second level will aim to reinforce and deepen the student’s knowledge-base and experience of the Science of Yoga. The student will continue to develop sensitivity to the subtleties of perception and increase their mental concentration, relaxation, stress-reduction and overall well-being through Yoga’s systematic lifestyle application.

Course Materials:

Blackboard™:

The course heavily utilizes Blackboard™ in addition to class room instruction. All of the course material will be provided and conducted through this electronic platform. You will also need one Grade Master scantron - skew number 25420.

Location: PHED 201 (upstairs next to the North Gym)

Attendance: Because this is a Physical Education course, regular attendance is required for meeting evaluation requirements. Tardiness and/or leaving early will not be tolerated as it disrupts the class and the practice – this is especially true of 50-minute class sections.

Equipment: All props will be provided in class: mats, straps, blankets, bolsters, and blocks. Please bring your own hand towel and water if needed. You may use your own mat or other equipment.

Lockers are available and recommended - please bring your own lock. The lockers will need to be cleared out the week of the PE Dept. (week 15) finals. You must have the lock BEFORE signing up for the locker. Please lock up your valuables and bags – we have had incidents of thefts in the building. Locker Rooms are open from 7:30am-2pm M-TH and closed on Fridays.

Women: Select an available locker in the Women’s Locker Room and then sign up for it in room 108 (PE Office). Men: Select an available locker in the Men’s Locker Room and then sign up for it in room 108 (PE Office).

Evaluation Criteria: Mind: 50% & Body: 50%

( Testing locations will be announced on Blackboard™

|Evaluation Area |Point Value |Weighted Value |

|Self-Study Journal |100 pts |28.6% |

|Discussion Project |50 pts |14.6% |

|Midterm Exam |50 pts |14.2% |

|(multiple choice format) | | |

|Midterm - Practical |50 pts |14.2% |

|Final Exam |50pts |14.2% |

|(multiple choice format) | | |

|Final - Practical |50 pts |14.2% |

|Total |350 pts |100% |

|Grade |Point/grade-base cutoffs |

|A |327 |

|A- |315 |

|B+ |303 |

|B |291 |

|B-   |279 |

|C+  |267 |

|C |255 |

|C-   |243 |

|D+  |231 |

|D |219 |

|D-   |207 |

|F |206 |

   

The “Thou Shalts”:

Please notify me of any injuries, illness, or medical conditions - including pregnancy - prior to starting your practice. This is confidential and necessary to avoid complications and to help adapt the practice to your specific needs as best we can.

Please wear clothing that allows freedom of movement. Absorbent, cotton-type material or athletic wear is best.

Practicing on an empty stomach is recommended, but not a rule. Generally we recommend waiting three hours after a meal or one hour after a light snack.

The “Thou-Shalt-Not’s”

No cell phones - (This is your time to step away from the bustle of worldly distractions.)

No candy or chewing gum during practice – (for obvious reasons - I hope)

No jeans or “regular everyday clothing” (for comfort and hygiene)

No jewelry or watches to be worn during practice – (again about distractions, damage and potential injury).

No shoes or socks are worn during practice as we practice Yoga barefoot. No shoes will be worn in the practice space; leave them inside the entry. We want to keep our practice area clean – as the environment directly affects our state of mind and body.

Academic Accommodations

Students requesting academic accommodations based on a disability are required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP when adequate documentation is filed. Please be sure the letter is delivered to the instructor or TA as early in the semester as possible. DSP is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. The office is in Student Union 301 and the phone number is (213) 740-0776.

Academic Integrity

Students who violate University standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the University. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students and the University, academic integrity policies will be strictly enforced.

Acknowledgment of Syllabus

I have received and read through the syllabus for PHED 120 B (Yoga). I understand the requirements and expectations of the course.

_________________________________ ______________________________

Print Name Date

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Signature

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Class Section/Time

Notes (for instructor’s use only):

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Academic Calendar/Exam Dates

Spring Semester 2010 (73 instructional days)

| |Open Registration |Th-F |January 7-8 |

| |Classes Begin |M |January 11 |

| |Martin Luther King's Birthday |M |January 18 |

| |Presidents' Day |M |February 15 |

| |Spring Recess |M-Sa |March 15-20 |

| |Classes End |F |April 30 |

| |Study Days |Sa-Tu |May 1-4 |

| |Exams |W-W |May 5-12 (6 days) |

| |Commencement |F |May 14 |

Physical Education Department’s Exam Dates:

Midterms (Week 8) – Location TBA

• Thurs, March 4, 2010

( Finals (Week 15) – Location TBA

• Thurs, April 29, 2010

Course Outline:

The five elements find their expression well within the eight-limb structure of Classical Yoga and within our bodies and minds:

Earth - Yama (foundation)

Water - Niyama (reflection)

Fire - Asana (transformation)

Air - Pranayama (purification)

Space - Pratyahara (mastery)

Mind – Samyama (freedom)

Since the Eight limbs are structured in the order of gross to subtle, the five elements will also be structured accordingly. As you may have already come to realize, the grossest aspects contain the aspects of the subtler ones. Much like our exploration in the first level course – this is an integrative process of building up (positive habit patterns) and tearing down (negative habit patterns) – ultimately geared toward arriving at our greatest Human Potential. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras outline the thread that weaves the fabric of a Yogic Art of Living. The five elements are the materials that comprise our own unique tapestry.

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Weeks 1-3

Focus is on the Element of Earth as it relates to the ashtanga structure

Yamas are emphasized

• Niyama is implied through self-awareness and study.

• Asana Vinyasa: postures and yogic techniques for structural integrity and correcting weak areas

• Pranayama: Stabilizing and grounding breathing practices

• Pratyahara is instructed with regard to the element

• Samyama is instructed with regard to the element

Weeks 4-6

Focus is on the Element of Water as it relates to the ashtanga structure

Niyamas are emphasized

• Asana Vinyasa – linking postures for specific goals, yogic techniques for dynamic movement

• Pranayama: Cooling and flowing breathing practices (parasympathetic activation)

• Pratyahara is instructed with regard to the element

• Samyama is instructed with regard to the element

Weeks 7-9 (Midterm and Practical – Week 8)

Focus is on the Element of Fire as it relates to the ashtanga structure

The Asana category is emphasized

• Asana Vinyasa: Energizing postures and sequences, yogic techniques for digestion and energetic transformation

• Pranayama: energizing and stimulating breathing practices (sympathetic NS activation)

• Pratyahara is instructed with regard to the element

• Samyama is instructed with regard to the element

Weeks 10-12

Focus is on the Element of Air as it relates to the ashtanga structure

The Pranayama category is emphasized

• Asana Vinyasa – postures, sequences, and techniques for developing respiration capacity and energy flow awareness

• Pranayama: various breathing practices

• Pratyahara is instructed with regard to the element

• Samyama is instructed with regard to the element

Weeks 13-15 (Final and Practical – Week 15)

Focus is on the Element of Space and its origin, within the Mind, as it relates to the ashtanga structure

Pratyahara and Samyama are emphasized

• Asana-Vinyasa – developing a seated practice

• Pranayama: bija breathing practices

• Pratyahara is instructed with regard to the element

• Samyama is instructed with regard to the element

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Special Note and Instructions:

Each of the Eight-limbs will be experienced through the each of the Elements in 3-week intervals.

Weeks 1-3 - Earth

Weeks 4-6 - Water

Weeks 7-9 - Fire

Weeks 10-12 - Air

Weeks 13-15 - Space

The coursework and weekly reviews will be posted under:

"Our Journey Through the Elements" link.

Each week there will be a review and instructions posted under the Element with which we are working. The Journal link and the Discussion links will be posted there as well.

You will need to be journaling according to the instructions given each week. You will also be required to participate in the discussion threads following the prompts for discussion. Your journal entries are completely confidential. Your discussions in the threads are not – they are for us to communicate with each other on. Try to establish relationships with each other in this forum (and in class).

These online aspects of the course are very interactive and I am available to "discuss" or help you through with your practice both in person and online.

There will be a minimum requirement of 3 journal posts and 3 discussion posts. This pattern will continue throughout the semester. Once we have moved into another Element, you will not be given credit for previous work so you must be disciplined in your yogic study. I will inform you of the requirements for the “Practicals” in person.

( PE Dept finals are held the 15th week of classes (when the week core classes end) in order to free up students’ time to focus on their studies.

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