for students 5th grade and up 

Monday, August 14- Friday, August 15

1:00pm-4:00pm

Everyone deserves to experience the joy of FLOW in timeless concentration and absorption in their favorite focus. This class will take the students from a foundation of mindfulness onto a four-step journey:

The HUSH – create dynamic stillness
The HEART – unlock the spark
The LIFT – engage positive energy
The FLOW – focus with joy

Students will have the daily opportunity to dive deep into each area as well as apply newly found inner resources to their favorite focus in performing, creating, problem solving or simply enjoying.

Mission: To improve student performance and wellbeing using awareness-based meditation and the Art of Joyful Focus. To improve inner experience to counteract performance anxiety and improve focus and connection.

Texts:

The Art of Joyful Focus

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will meaningfully engage in the application of awareness-based meditation and demonstrate application of Joyful Focus through the production of a project or presentation of their choosing.

Students will demonstrate dynamic stillness (Joyful Focus: HUSH) by demonstrating different breathing techniques and exhibiting a calm focused concentration.

Students will increase receptivity (Joyful Focus: HEART) by completing introspection assignments

Students will exhibit increased receptivity and compassion (Joyful Focus: HEART) by demonstrating the ability to relate to the realities of others.

Students will demonstrate positivity (Joyful Focus: LIFT) by:

• A positive will power to overcome obstacles
• A willingness to change negative patterns of thought
• Balancing the drive for excellence with self-acceptance
• Discriminating without judgment of self or others

Students will exhibit increased positivity (Joyful Focus: LIFT) by

• Demonstrating non-attachment to outcome while remaining fully engaged
• Demonstrating calm focus even in the midst of mistakes
• Demonstrating a willingness to follow their intuitive understanding

Students will demonstrate improved concentration in their area of focus or performance. (Joyful Focus: FLOW)

Course Outline:

Monday

Welcome & Class Introduction

• Setting the Stage: The 7 Keys to Freedom

The Hush: Develop Dynamic Stillness

• Why dynamic stillness?
• How to Meditate

Tuesday

The Heart: Unlock the Spark

• Why does the heart matter?
• How to increase awareness
• Emotions vs. Feelings: which are more beneficial?
• Desires and Non-attachment
• Vulnerability vs. Security
• Group exercises and meditation

Wednesday

The Lift: Engage the Energy

• Why positivity matters
• How to work with the inner critic
• The correct use of will power
• How to cultivate the best inner and outer environment
• How to use affirmations for best results
• Group exercises and meditation

Thursday

The Flow: Focus With Effortless Pleasure

• Why Flow is crucial for success, happiness and fulfillment
• What Flow is and isn’t
• Tips for entering Flow
• How to keep the ego out of the way
• Group exercises and meditation

Friday

The Resonant Stage: Putting It All Together

• Attune your focus with your sense of purpose
• Infuse your presentation and performance with your inner experience
• Stimulate wellbeing in others through the integrated expression of your own
• Group meditation
• Individual Performances and Presentations