Wellness

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

to healthy living. Through course offerings, students begin to understand the importance of regular physical activity and see it as an essential element for their overall physical and mental health. Upper school classes 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.

Wellness: Yoga One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Yoga is a mindful practice that emphasizes the development of strength, stability, and integrity in body and mind through movement, breath control, and meditation. In this class, students will experience increased capacity, freedom, and ease as they explore the fundamentals of correct postural alignment and body mechanics. These mechanics are applied to every yoga posture and translate directly to all sports, dance, and daily activities. The power of attention is central to the practice of yoga, and class exercises offer tools to expand not only physical capacity but also mental focus and concentration. Practice in being present moment to moment, noticing one’s habits and working systematically towards one’s individual goals offers students powerful resources and tools in stress management, pain relief, impulse control, and self confidence. This course uses props and modifications for all levels and places a strong emphasis on self care and self actualization. In addition, a self-defense unit will explore defense techniques and personal boundaries through discussion and hands-on practice.

Wellness: 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: 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, and 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 a myriad of 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. A self-defense unit will explore defense techniques and personal boundaries through discussion and hands-on practice. 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.

Wellness: Dance Full year; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students This is a performance-based ensemble welcoming students of all ability levels. Students in this course will perform a dance concert in the spring featuring jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and musical theater pieces. Students will be cast in pieces based on ability and will rehearse throughout the year to prepare for the concert. Classes will focus on strength, flexibility, technical skills, and choreography to prepare for performances. Students are required to make a full year commitment to Wellness: Dance and to participate in all performances. Students interested in dance are encouraged to sign up for this option during school. Those students who cannot work Wellness: Dance into their schedule will still have the opportunity to participate in Dance company outside of school hours.

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 facilitates a student’s transition into the upper school environment. Life Balance 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.