The following descriptions are for courses offered by the UW Women’s Center throughout the year. These descriptions are for reference only and do not indicate a schedule of course offerings. For current quarter classes, please click here to visit the Class Schedule page for the current quarter.
Tai Chi Chuan
Instructor: Mary Newbill
Tai Chi Chuan is a classical Chinese exercise – a rhythmical art that enhances slow breathing, balance, relaxed postures, and absolute calmness of mind – a moving meditation, a healing art, stillness in motion, a martial art that promotes health and tranquility. Tai Chi’s ability to lower blood pressure and reduce stress makes it appropriate for people of all ages and fitness levels. Tai Chi Beginners will study the Yang Style Short form and will have 1-2 mini-forms to practice at the close of class. Intermediate class alternates “Shing Yi Sword” or “water form” with “Yang Style Tai Chi”. The “Push Hands” class is the practice of the applications of the forms to self-defense.
The Five Essential Skills of
Natural Eating
Instructor: Susie Casserd
Resolving emotional eating is a learned
skill. Come learn how using and
combining the Five Essential Skills of
Natural Eating will permanently resolve
overeating and eating when you’re not
hungry. If you are struggling with food
issues, and yet dieting hasn’t worked
for you, this class will provide you with
delightful and provocative know-how for
creating YOUR healthy body!
The Art of Self Direction: Fun
with the Alexander Technique
Instructor: Catherine Kettrick
Are your feet all thumbs? Does your body
have a mind of its own? Is your posture
“bad” or do you feel discomfort when
you work? Based on simple principles
of human movement and coordination,
the Alexander Technique can help you
expand your own natural coordination
and fl exibility; eliminate tension; and have
more ease and comfort in everything
you do. Best of all, its simple to learn and
you can use it immediately anywhere,
anytime, in anything you do.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga
Instructor: Carol Trenga
What is Yoga? If you’re curious about
this ancient tradition of health and
well-being, this workshop is for you. We
will discuss each of the 8 Limbs of Yoga.
Learn about Yoga beyond the physical
postures (asanas), including elements
of Yoga philosophy, selected readings,
and Yoga sutras. Discover its relevance
to your work, play, and relationships.
Whether you have been practicing for
many years or are new to Yoga, this
workshop is an opportunity to learn
how you can bring your Yoga practice
off the mat into other areas of your life.
Please wear comfortable, non-restrictive
clothing.
Location: Johnson Annex (behind
Women’s Center)
The Art of Gender
Instructor: Sharon Sanborn
Curious about gender, appearance, sexuality and trying to explore your ideas of who you are and who you want to be in the world with lovers, friends, colleagues and the broader community? In a fun, supportive environment we will rely on discussion and hands-on exercises - incorporating basic art materials and photos - to help you examine questions and answers about yourself, your self-image and the image you present to the world. All forms of gender and sexuality welcome! Please bring $4 materials fee to class along with, if possible, 3 photos (photocopies of photos best) or 3 images from magazines or other sources to represent yourself at different times of your life.
The Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu
Instructor: Coleen Foye Bollen
Your health is in your hands – literally. Learn an ancient healing art that taps into your body’s innate wisdom. These techniques are quick to learn and implement, yet pack highpowered therapeutic energy. Benefits include increased energy, pain relief and simple solutions for everyday ailments. The only tools required are your fingers and toes.
The Energy Edge: Strategies to Transform the Way You Live
Instructor: Suzette LaPlant
Imagine what your life would be like if you had more energy to fulfill your heart’s desires. Visualize your self, your relationships, your business, and your life infused with new energy. Energy is an internal navigation system leading you on a journey to your destiny. The Energy Edge is a valuable skill set to use daily to revitalize your energy, restore balance, increase vitality and well-being. In this informative experiential workshop, learn strategies to identify, discern, and alter subtle energy to improve your life, your health, and your relationships. Ignite your passion and become unstoppable!
The Five Essential Skills of Natural Eating
Instructor: Susie Casserd
Resolving emotional eating is a learned skill. Come learn how using and combining the Five Essential Skills of Natural Eating will permanently resolve overeating and eating when you’re not hungry. If you are struggling with food issues, and yet dieting hasn’t worked for you, this class will provide you with delightful and provocative know-how for creating YOUR healthy body!
The Energy Edge: Strategies to
Transform the Way You Live
Instructor: Suzette LaPlant
Imagine what your life would be like
if you had more energy to fulfi ll your
heart’s desires. Visualize your self, your
relationships, your business, and your life
infused with new energy. Energy is an
internal navigation system leading you
on a journey to your destiny. The Energy
Edge is a valuable skill set to use daily to
revitalize your energy, restore balance,
increase vitality and well-being. In this
informative experiential workshop, learn
strategies to identify, discern, and alter
subtle energy to improve your life, your
health, and your relationships. Ignite your
passion and become unstoppable!
The Invisible Woman
Instructor: Kathleen Bernhard
In this presentation and book signing, Dr. Kathleen Bernhard will discuss the concept of the invisible woman, how ‘good’ women become invisible, what kinds of roles we fill, how to become heard and vital, and how to manage anger when we are not heard. It also offers 15 “HELPFUL HINTS” to personal growth. The invisible woman gives and gives for the betterment of her family or her church or her group but doesn’t take a lot of credit or recognition for her long hours and sacrifice. This book and workshop is dedicated to CHANGING that.
The Joy Diet
Instructor: Ariele Huff
About writing and life improvement, this class is designed around the book of the same name. The deeply insightful exercises, discussion techniques, and unique recommendations define life and written work, bringing a new perspective that promotes joy.
The Nourishing Herbs
Instructor: Julie Charette Nunn
Come discover herbs you can use daily to increase well being. Learn simple techniques for growing and preparing these herbs that you can easily do at home. Learn an amazing way to look at healing that supports optimum health. Experience a simple exercise to connect you with your body’s wisdom. You will sample nourishing herbal infusion and make nourishing herbal vinegar to take home. Bring garden gloves, a notebook, and $5 for a materials fee.
The Power of Clarity: A Gateway to Creating a Passionate Life
Instructor: Suzette LaPlant
Is it time for you to pause and figure out what you really want to do with the rest of your life?? What’s stopping you from creating an inspired, happy, exciting, passionate, fulfilling, prosperous and successful life?? The Power of Clarity is a key component to unlocking your passion. Clarity leads to empowerment, joy, energy and vitality. In this experiential and energizing workshop you will discover, awaken to and embrace the whispers of your heart, learn to fan the flames of your deepest desires and open new doors to creating a passionate life. Bring a notebook to class
The Power of (Digital) Storytelling
Instructor:Greg Tuke, Executive Director, Bridges to Understanding
Are you drawn to the medium of photography? Would you
like to use it to publicize global issues, foster cross-cultural
understanding, and promote social justice on the Web? This
class will introduce you to the next step: digital storytelling, the
art of blending still images, music, and narration to transform
your personal stories into powerful multimedia experiences.
Interested in in-depth instruction? Here in Seattle or mentoring
youth in indigenous communities around the world? See www.
bridgesweb.org
They Say That A Small Group of
Committed Citizens Can Change
the World; But How?
Instructor:Lisa Arnold
This workshop will feature two case
studies of small neighborhood groups
that created big social change - in
the areas of affordable housing and
police response to domestic violence
- in Chicago. Learn how these groups,
starting with no money and no people,
fought City Hall and won.
Travel Writing for Fun & Profit
Instructor: Nancy Mueller
Have a yen to write and an itch to travel?
If so, you could be turning your travel
tales into published articles, essays and
books. This travel writing class will provide
all the practical tips, tool and techniques
you need to make the most of your travel
experiences. Learn how to get the ideas
out of your head onto paper and into the
hands of editors. Discover: Travel writing
exercises to spark your memories and
imagination; Where to fi nd and how to
capture great ideas; How to develop your
stories; 3 steps to publication success; How
to work with editors.
Understanding and Enhancing
Relationships:
Instructor: Subhan Schenker
This will be an exploration of
relationships, using very effective tools
that can produce understandings,
insights - even epiphanies - to transform
the way you relate with people! Here
are some questions that many people
have about relationships: /Why am I so
concerned about what other people
think? /What are my “buttons,” how do
they get pushed, and how do I deal with
them? /Why are relationships so hard?
And intimate ones, the hardest?/ The
tools you will receive will help you fi nd
the answers you need. Come join us...
and bring any questions you may have!
You will leave with a new Relationship
tool kit! Wear comfortable clothing and
bring a bag lunch.
Wanderlust and Lipstick
Instructor: Beth Whitman
No matter the destination, solo travel can be the most rewarding journey of your life. Come get inspired to create your next dream trip and learn from a seasoned pro about the advantages and problems unique to women, how to navigate the internet to maximize your travel experience, respecting other cultures essential safety tips, overcoming language barriers, budget travel tips and how to have a journey alone without being lonely. Class includes handouts, discount coupons for travel accessories and a slide presentation.
Want to Start Your Own
Business?
Instructor: Bonnie Schiller
In this “hands on” class, we will generate
an idea for a start up business, the go
through the steps needed to create it.
Along the way, we will check out helpful
web sites, examine incorporation choices
plus do both a mock business and a
mock marketing plan. We;ll also fi ll out
a Washington State Business License
Application and explore local resources
for small businesses, some specifi c
to women. Hands on? YES! Practical?
YOU BET! FUN? VERY! Ten million other
women already own privately held U. S
companies. So what are YOU waiting for?
Women’s Issues Matter:
Gender Differences in Financial
Management
Instructor: Judith Tronsrue
Financial goals and issues for men and
women are often quite different. What
are some of the issues ? Sometimes, they
simply do not match or, at best, they are
dissimilar in how they are met. How do we
get unbiased objective advice to meet our
goals? How do we deal wisely with them?
This workshop should answer some of your
questions.
Yoga for Round Bodies
Instructor: Valerie Mayse
Yes, you too can do yoga! This gentle, safe yoga class is welcoming to all shapes and sizes. Learn to blend self-acceptance with self-challenge through the powerful and ancient practice of yoga.