Instructor(s):
Debra J. Macking, LMT, MA
Massage Therapist & Healer
Achievinglife@gmail.com

Course Time / Format:
12hours over 6 weeks
Thursdays 6pm to 8pm.
September 2nd to October 7th
Lecture, Discussion, Activity

Online Course Snippet:
Learn to relieve stress, reduce tension, and increase the mind/body connection through a system that combines the practices of meditation, self-awareness (mindfulness), and use of our five primary senses.

Course Description:
We have five primary senses that when tapped and incorporated more fully with mindfulness and brought more fully into meditation practices bring us to a better ability to connect with ourselves, others, the world, and can greatly improve our lives. Sensation Meditation combines practices of meditation, mindfulness (simply defined as awareness), and conscious experience of sensations. By gaining a working knowledge of Sensation Meditation, experiencing it, and incorporating its practices the mind/body connection is improved and the ability to find routes to relaxation and ease of tension at any time increase.

This course will delve further into the understandings, definitions, and uses of the practice of Mindfulness, Meditation, our Senses and specifically Sensation Meditation. To further understand aspects of Sensation Meditation assignments will include a number of Mindfulness activities with notes, experience of Meditation, and creation of both individual and partner Sensation Meditations. This course is designed to incorporate brief lectures, discussions, and primarily activities that will both provide knowledge, experience, and practical use.

Learning Objectives:
*Give examples and definitions of Meditation, our five Sense, and Mindfulness.
*Understand the five senses and how each relates to improving Mind/Body connection.
*Be able to provide information on personal experiences with Sensation Meditation.
*Be able to create activities that revolve around Sensation Meditation.

Included Reference Materials:
* Various articles and sites that are related to Mindfulness, Meditation, and the Senses will be provided at no cost to student including a variety of essential oil blends, food, and similar.

Student Materials Needed:
Notebook and pen. May bring other items as desired but not required.

General Course Outline:
In addition to any meditations listed in topic every night there will be a beginning and ending short guided sensation meditation.
Class – Topic
9/14/10: Defining meditation, mindfulness, and learning the senses. Short taste meditation
9/16/10: Experiencing mindfulness through our senses. Series of short meditations.
9/21/10: Creating a guided sensation meditation with partner. Longer meditation consisting of both giving & receiving guided meditation.
9/23/10. Finding your key senses and emotional links for daily living. The night will include a series of short meditations and activities to improve senses.
9/28/10. Creating anchors for Sensation Meditation throughout the day in both shorter and longer durations.
9/30/10: Where Sensation Meditation can lead to with further study and experience. Series of different Sensation Meditations on own, with partners, and as a group.

Physical Contact Statement:
Due to the nature of this course, students are advised that physical contact between the instructor and student, or student to student may occur for some assignments and as part of some discussions and experiences. If you have concerns about these requirements, you are encouraged to discuss these with the instructor prior to the next class session to determine if appropriate alternative assignments exist. If you do not think you will be able to participate to the extent required by the course, you are encouraged to drop the course.

Grading Scale:
While a non-credit course the class will offer a grading of Surpassed, Passed, and Unsatisfactory. Grading will be based on utilization of course interaction, pass/fail on assignments, and final one-on-one discussion with instructor
Above 80%: Surpassed
Above 60%: Passed
Below 60%: Unsatisfactory