Holistic Stress Management
Stress affects each of us every day and while some of us rise to the occasion, others experience myriad physiological, psychological, and spiritual effects. How we cope with stress can determine the current and future state of our health and well-being. Our bodies react to the signals sent to us by our brains during stressful episodes and these signals affect every system, especially the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.
There are many holistic stress management techniques including self-awareness, cognitive restructuring, effective communication, guided imagery, social support, art therapy, and journaling.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the concept of stress and describe holistic stress management techniques.
Health and the Human Spirit
Spirituality plays an important role in health and healing. This course will explore the forms and expressions of spirituality; discuss culture and its relationship to spirituality; examine the relationship between spirituality and aging; explain spiritual interests within the healthcare system; describe the role of spiritual care providers in administering spiritual care; and describe the relationship between spirituality and health conditions, therapeutic interventions, and healing environments.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe spirituality, health, and healing; discuss the multidimensional aspects of spirituality; describe a spiritual assessment; and describe the vast diversity of spiritual expressions.
Energy Healing
The old paradigms of health care are shifting as a growing number of researchers, physicians, nurses, and other health practitioners embrace a new view that includes energy healing. Traditional healers have practiced energy healing methods for centuries and viewed the body as a complex energy system.
With mounting scientific evidence now supporting the efficacy of ancient healing systems, the healthcare community is combining traditional methods of energy healing with modern medicine.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to explore the different types of energy, the concept of energy healing, and the various types of energy healing available today.
Healing elements of meditation
Although there are many ways to meditate and many different forms of meditation, they all share the characteristic of intentionally training a person's attention and concentration. Meditation practices are used by diverse cultures, are rooted in the traditions of the great religions, and have been practiced for thousands of years to promote healing.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to explore the practice of meditation, discuss various meditation traditions, examine meditation techniques, and explain the physiological and psychological benefits of meditation.
Place and Space: Healing Environments
Every individual has the capacity to enhance their healing process (or the healing process of clients) through the creation of healing environments—spaces that support the individual's inner healer and utilize the environment to maximize its healing effects.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the importance of healing environments, their historical evolution, and their unique elements. Specific considerations for designing healing environments for children are briefly discussed, and the role of communication, education, and healthcare providers in developing healing environments are explored.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Ancient Approach to Healing
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest continuously practiced professional medical systems in the world, with origins dating back more than 3,000 years. TCM emphasizes the holistic view of the human being and encompasses many different treatment modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, and Qigong.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe traditional Chinese medicine and the role of the basic substances and the meridian system in health, as well as causes of disharmony, types of diagnostic methods, and common treatment methods.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Ancient Foundations of Health Care
Ayurvedic medicine is a highly sophisticated religion, philosophy, and system of medicine that has been practiced in India for over 2,500 years. As with other forms of complementary and alternative medicine, it focuses on the whole individual and one's relationship to one's environment. Health, vitality, and longevity are achieved through a balance within the body and between the body and the external environment.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the basics of Ayurvedic medicine, including principles of Ayurvedic medicine, causes of disharmonies and diseases, diagnostic methods, and treatment methods.
Humor and Health
How many times have you felt better after laughing? Humor and laughter make people feel alive and bring a unique perspective to life. They relieve stress and connect people to one another. Humor is a complex phenomenon and an essential part of human nature. Anthropologists have never found a culture or society that did not have humor as a part of it.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the historical perspective of humor; describe the components of humor; and examine the types, theories, and senses of humor as well as ways in which humor is used in health care.
Music therapy and sound healing
In an age where people increasingly turn to holistic methods of healing, music therapy and sound healing have entered mainstream health care and can be used successfully with people of all ages and disabilities.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the principles, interventions, therapeutic uses, and physiological and psychological responses of music therapy and sound healing.
Nutrition—An Integrative Approach
What we eat profoundly impacts our health and well-being, yet many of us eat when we are rushed; we don't know where our food originated; we eat toxic, irradiated, or genetically altered foods; and we eat more than we need. How can we revise our eating habits and become more conscious of what we eat, why we eat it, and how it is prepared?
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the role of food and health in human history. The various elements of nutrition, some of the most common types of diets, and the roles of nutraceuticals and supplements are explored. Types of toxins and the effects of irradiation, genetically altered foods, and food allergies are discussed. Finally, the role of herbs and herbalists, herb processing, how herbalists are trained, and issues facing herbal use are reviewed.
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Healing Therapies
Health care is evolving and integrating the healing therapies of alternative and allopathic medicine. Therapeutic massage and bodywork healing methods are being integrated in many healthcare organizations. This course will describe somatic and musculoskeletal therapies (therapeutic massage, which includes Swedish massage, sports massage, Esalen massage, neuromuscular massage therapy, and Aston patterning); Eastern, meridian-based, and point therapies (acupressure, shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and reflexology); energy-based therapies (Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, and Healing Touch); emotional bodywork (Rolfing and Hellerwork); and manipulative therapies (chiropractic and osteopathy).
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the various types of therapeutic bodywork techniques and healing therapies.
Healing Effects of Physical Activity and Movement
Physical activity and movement are essential elements of any program designed for obtaining or maintaining health and well-being. While most individuals associate physical activity with aerobics, many activities comprise a well-rounded and interesting physical fitness and movement program.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the profound physical and psychological benefits of physical activity and movement.