FitWell Courses

Breathwork – Wellness, Vitality and Stress Reduction

FITWELL 298

This course offers an experiential introduction to various breathwork practices. Breathwork is any type of breathing practice that brings awareness or conscious control to the breathing patterns. These practices can benefit physical, mental or emotional well-being. Some of the practices are very practical, such as regulating the qualities of breath for optimal functional breathing. Others techniques come from ancient meditation traditions such as yoga, eastern medicine and shamanic practices. This course will be an exploration of a variety of breathing practices that can reduce stress and bring about relaxed, meditative and energized states of being.

Deep Stretch Yoga

FITWELL 296

This course will target undoing the impacts to the body within student life. Through a physical slow-moving yoga practice we will stretch the areas of the body that contract after sitting for long periods of time in front of screens. Students will also explore breathing and meditation techniques to help reduce stress and regain optimal focus throughout the semester.

Meditation & Relaxation, Introduction

FITWELL 298

Reduce stress with an online Introduction to Meditation and Relaxation. An overview of basic mindfulness meditation practices will be explored with various techniques and skills to improve breathing and overall relaxation. Discussion and practice will be included.

Meditation in the 21st Century

FITWELL 298

Excel in the face of stress within the 21st century with this online meditation class. Each session provides experiential relaxation and/or meditation. Release stress from your day and learn skills to develop your own meditation practice.

Meditation with a Touch of Yoga

FITWELL 298

Study the ancient psychology, research and science of Astanga Yoga (Himalayan tradition). Review step-by-step instructions in the practice of meditation. In this intermediate class you will learn stress reduction exercises, importance of diet, and intermediate breathing techniques with the goal of clearing your habitual tendencies and enhancing your awareness of body and mind.

Meditation, Mindfulness & Stress Reduction

FITWELL 298

This beginning-level course includes instruction in the basic practices of meditation and an introduction to the underlying philosophy and psychology of these practices. The goal is to provide students with all the tools necessary for managing stress, learning mindfulness techniques and practicing meditation. The course is a combination of lecture, discussion and in-class guided practice.

Students will learn how to use breathing as a means of present moment awareness (mindfulness) and quieting the mind, and relaxation practices which are helpful for calming both body and mind. All of the practices are taught as a preparation for meditation. In addition, students learn how to use a simple mantra as a tool for focusing the mind and accessing/deepening the meditative state.

Meditation: Be Kind to Your Mind

FITWELL 298

You will explore the practice of mindfulness meditation as a tool to increase well-being. We often relate to what is going on in our minds with a sense of struggle, lack of respect, and a lot of judgment. Mindfulness refers to our ability to be fully present, aware, and not overly reactive toward what is going on in us or around us. And mindfulness practice refines our awareness, so we can meet our experience with kindness, while gaining calm, focus, and clarity. Mindfulness meditation helps us live “in the moment,” and learn how to let go of negative thinking, self-judgment, and doubt, as well as the worries and stress that go along with these states of mind. Spending even a few minutes in mindfulness meditation can restore your calm and inner peace.

Meditation: Calm Fear and Stress with Kindfulness

FITWELL 298

Kindfulness is combining the practices of mindfulness and self-compassion to help us learn skills to cope with fear, stress and burnout. Mindfulness helps you learn to accept yourself for the person you are. Self-Compassion means being kinder to yourself when you are facing stress, challenges, and fears. Research has shown that practicing kindness and compassion soothes experiences of fear and stress, while self-critical thoughts tend to intensify them. Studies show that when you meet your imperfections, stresses and fears, with mindful kindness you enjoy life more and achieve your goals with less burnout. When you learn to accept yourself, it is easier to accept others, and when you are kinder to yourself you also become kinder and more connected to others.

Meditation: Mind Body Awareness

FITWELL 298

How do your thoughts – positive or negative – affect your physical body? Learn skills and techniques to become better aware of your thoughts and how to use them to increase control. Multiple approaches will be utilized throughout this online class. Concepts in meditation and yoga will be discussed.

Meditation: Resilience in College & Beyond

FITWELL 298

We will study our bodies, minds, and spirits learning how to determine what can fragment whole self-experiences. We will look at ways of increasing beneficial personal habits/disciplines in order to work toward having more whole awareness of self which sets the base for more resiliency when life gets stressful. The tools can be applied in any stage of life (in college and beyond). This class will be part lecture and part practice/movement based.

Meditation: Rewire Your Anxious Mind for Peace

FITWELL 298

Mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and depression and build inner strength and resilience so that future stressors have less impact on happiness and physical well-being. This class will give an overview of the science and skills behind mindfulness and how it helps anxiety, panic and depression.

Mindful Movement

FITWELL 298

Reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit through an energizing blend of movement, breathwork, and meditation, inspired by the transformative field of somatics.

Mindful Movement transforms meditation and exercise into a seamless, dynamic experience that enhances physical vitality, sharpens mental clarity, and fosters emotional resilience. Discover techniques that inspire you while building meaningful connections with yourself, others, and the world around you. Let this journey spark your sense of wholeness and joy!

Yoga I

FITWELL 112

Yoga is a practice that has been used for thousands of years as an aid in transforming the mind and body. Experience the physical practice that will stretch and tone the body, while finding calm within the mind. Study basic yoga philosophy, postures (asana), and breathing techniques (pranayama) with a focus on alignment and how the postures relate to the human anatomy.

Yoga II

FITWELL 113

Reduce stress and achieve flexibility, strength, and balance while listening to the body. Expand on the basics of Yoga including asanas (physical poses), meditation, and pranayama (breathing techniques). Including discussions of Yogic paths and philosophy. Explore how yoga relates to human anatomy for a deeper understanding of alignment.

All body types and skill levels are encouraged to participate, but those who have experience or taken Yoga I at UWM are preferred in this intermediate class.

Prerequisites:
Yoga I at UWM, or previous yoga experience including knowledge of basic yoga asana.