Course Finder

This course assists older adults in understanding the functions and elements of the human body, including what can go wrong, current treatment options, and consumer information on alternative treatments. Older adult students learn about a variety of conditions that affect their population, including those that vary by lifestyle and/or genetic background.

This course helps Emeritus students with chronic joint pain or mobility problems to attain and maintain physical strength, mobility, and flexibility. Students will learn about the function of joints in the human body and techniques to move effectively without joint stress. Students will create an individual plan for mobility and physical fitness.

This course is designed to improve the flexibility and mobility of older adults, increase their activity levels, and lessen their joint pain through exercise. Older adult students focus on maintaining strength, stability, mobility, balance, and flexibility in order to improve their physical and mental well being through safe and therapeutic core strengthening and balance techniques, deep muscle and/or moving stretches, and weight-bearing exercises using balls, blocks, weights, dynabands, and/or straps. Some sections of this course involve moving the body and performing joint exercises to fun and lively music.

Formerly HEALTH E23.

Introduces the study and practice of T’ai Chi and Qigong at a beginner level. An internal martial art designed to increase physical and mental strength by incorporating energy circulation, breathing, and mindfulness. This class focuses on stances, footwork, and whole body movement sequences at a beginner level that improve agility, postural alignment, balance, and relaxation to rejuvenate the body, reduce stress, and improve health.

Introduces the study and practice of T’ai Chi and Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise system designed to increase physical and mental strength by combining martial arts movements with energy circulation, breathing, mindfulness, and stretching exercises at an intermediate/advanced level. Regular practice of T’ai Chi produces multiple health benefits. This course focuses on stances, footwork, and whole body movement sequences that improve agility, postural alignment, balance, and relaxation to rejuvenate the body, reduce stress, and improve health.

This course teaches older adults Iyengar yoga techniques that can be used to maintain or increase their respiratory capacity, physical strength, balance, and flexibility. Older adults will relax their bodies and minds through the practice of Iyengar yoga and meditation.

This course helps older adults increase their strength, flexibility, balance, and circulation by encouraging older adults to concentrate or focus intently on their physical self, thus blocking out the factors that detract from a sense of wellbeing.

Formerly HEALTH E18.

Chair Yoga is a practice for developing balance and stability while improving strength and flexibility. Chair Yoga is geared for those who might be experiencing limited mobility due to illness, injury or disease, chronic pain, joint inflammation; or difficulty standing for long periods of time. Classes will include proper posture, breathing, relaxation and meditation that is made accessible for all students.

Formerly HEALTH E34. This course is intended for beginning level students or who prefer floor-based mat work at a slower, gentler pace.

This beginning level, gentle Yoga Class offers a range of strategies and techniques to learn foundational practices with the intention of reducing and managing stress. Emeritus students will experience basic movement and postures, gratitude practices, breathing exercises, meditation, lifestyle practices and humor. The course also helps students establish peer support groups to help integrate and maintain these Yoga practices and skills.

Formerly HEALTH E21. This course is for students with prior Yoga experience.

This intermediate/advanced level Yoga Class enhances the fitness and wellness of experienced Emeritus students. Students will learn more challenging standing and balancing postures and flowing sequences. The class will also dive deeper into Yoga history, principles, and practices such as breathing, meditation, relaxation, and visualization. Students will learn how to safely take their practice to the next level in a supportive community environment.

This course helps older adults engage in Tai Chi Chuan exercises to maintain or increase their balance, strength, and flexibility. Exercises are modified to take the special conditions of individual older students into account.

This course helps older adults who have experienced an acquired brain injury to maintain or improve their mobility and physical endurance through an individualized program offered in a group setting. Topics include how to cope with the effects of brain injury or stroke and how to restore the student’s natural energy and flexibility, through techniques used to regain and maintain physical fitness. Participation in this Pathfinders Program allows older adults to be included in their community and maintain their independence, and helps them to self-advocate and engage in activities that benefit their health. Registration is completed through the SMC Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) 310-434-4442.

This course assists older adults with joint difficulties and other chronic conditions by helping them engage in a zero-impact exercise in water. Older adults learn routines that use the resistance of water to build strength and stamina.

This course helps older adults maintain or improve their physical health, weight, muscle strength, coordination, and cardiovascular conditioning through low-impact aerobic exercises as well as some strength training and stretch movements.

This course assists older adults in improving their health and cardiovascular performance through low-impact aerobic exercises, some strength training, and stretch movements that increase their range of motion and flexibility and improve their overall sense of wellness.

This course helps older adults in long-term care facilities maintain as high a level of mobility and fitness as possible, and to preserve as much independence as possible.

This course helps older adults build and maintain their strength and socialize with others who have similar goals. Older adults who have not recently engaged in an exercise routine burn calories, build muscle and stamina through exercise routines, and increase strength by using light weights and engaging in resistance techniques. Older adult students may begin with light weights and increase the weights as they build muscle, strengthen bones, and increase stamina.

Build your stamina and flexibility at your own pace in this course, especially designed for older adults. Students must attend at least 80% of the sessions. There is a separate section for intermediate students.

This course is designed to introduce Emeritus students to the beginning Pilates matwork technique of exercise, starting with 30 basic exercises. Pilates is a unique method of body control and conditioning. It consists of stretching and strengthening the muscles, while improving flexibility and balance.

Satisfies Global Citizenship

This course teaches the primary fundamentals of classical and modern Hebrew. Grammar and pronunciation, as well as reading and writing skills are developed. The approach is modified audio-lingual utilizing both spoken and written Hebrew. Examples are taken from traditional sources and modern Israeli culture and customs.