Wellness

The wellness department at Harpeth Hall promotes the importance of making healthy choices that contribute

to healthy living. Through course offerings, students are encouraged to develop positive attitudes toward the importance of regular physical activity as essential elements for their overall physical and mental health. Upper School classes are designed to improve motor skills, sportsmanship, and respect for oneself and others. The program establishes and maintains the student’s overall wellness by providing a variety of challenging learning experiences in all areas of physical fitness which focus on movement. Each student at Harpeth Hall is required to take seven semesters of wellness courses. All classes are semester classes and can be repeated as often as a student chooses.

Yoga One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Yoga is a mindful practice and holistic art that emphasizes harmonizing the mind and body. The practice of yoga involves the combination of a series of postures with breathing techniques and learning to be present to integrate and strengthen the body and mind. Yoga is gentle but effective and is designed to heal and strengthen and to correct the various misalignments and imbalances that occur in the body. This well-rounded and alignment-based yoga practice challenges every major muscle group in the body and helps to reverse fragmentation and restore harmony. This course uses props and modifications for all levels and places a strong emphasis on self care and self actualization .

Strength and Conditioning One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students The primary objective of Strength and Conditioning is to assist in the physical and mental development of Harpeth Hall athletes so that they compete at the highest level while minimizing the risk and severity of injuries. The course is designed to create a complete athlete by developing explosive power, absolute strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, flexibility, agility, and cardiovascular fitness. The course achieves these measured athletic qualities from the use of Olympic lifts and their variations, along with other exercises containing plyometric properties, high-intensity bodyweight strength exercises, movement preparatory exercises, and researched periodization.

Wellness of the Mind and Body One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students This course provides students with a variety of physical components ranging from cardiovascular fitness, core stability, muscular strength and endurance, body alignment, as well as a focus on mindfulness and attention to improving one’s focus and concentration. The class also focuses on the importance of lifelong wellness. Students are exposed to myriad activities using the cardio facility, fitness rooms, and the use of the indoor obstacle course. Current fitness trends, lifetime sports, fun games, and unstructured playtime are incorporated into the class emphasizing the enjoyment of exercising the body. Focused techniques in breath, relaxation, and mindfulness are intermixed with the physical component to help foster a calm mind and body. This course caters to students who are looking for wellness improvements through multiple outlets.

Life Balance I Full year; Required for 9th grade students Life Balance provides a small-group setting where 9th grade students receive general information about Harpeth Hall and specific information about academic and extracurricular opportunities. The small-group setting also facilitates a student’s transition into the Upper School environment. Life Balance also helps adolescent girls examine topics they face that ultimately have an impact on their health, safety, and well-being. The class is based upon a wellness model and focuses on the following principles: nutrition, leadership, relationships, mind-body connection, meaningful life purpose, movement, and emotional life. Topics include transition to Upper School, character development, personality style, relational aggression, conflict resolution, stereotypes, body image, alcohol and drug education, human sexuality, stress management, self-esteem, and personal safety and responsibility. The classroom format is a combination of lectures, films, role-playing, and open discussion.

Life Balance II Full year; Required for 10th grade students During the Upper School years, the students’ desire for independence increases, but the responsibility and decision-making skills necessary to successfully navigate this independence is still developing. The curriculum for Life Balance II is designed to help 10th grade students cultivate these skills and discuss other issues relevant to this developmental level. The class is based upon a wellness model and focuses on the following principles: nutrition, leadership, relationships, mind-body connection, meaningful life purpose, movement, and emotional life. Topics include organization and time management, healthy relationships, media and adolescents, driving responsibility, alcohol and drug education, stress management, relational aggression, self-esteem, and personal safety and responsibility. The classroom format is a combination of lectures, films, role-playing, and open discussion.