This course is for students who have previous whitewater kayaking experience. It runs through the end of October. The course will review: equipment choices, prudent decision making for risk management, kayak stroke refinement, eddy turns, ferrying, bracing, river reading, surfing and kayak rolling. Students will practice to improve their whitewater techniques on class 2-3 water on local rivers. A $25 lab fee is to be paid at the beginning of the course.

This course focuses on the beginning level paddler. Participants MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM. Learn the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking in the pool and on local rivers. The course covers: equipment choices, prudent decision making for risk management, kayak strokes, eddy turns, ferrying, bracing, river reading, surfing and kayak rolling. A $25 lab fee is to be paid at the beginning of the course. Class will meet Wednesdays in the pool from 6:30PM - 8:00PM and Fridays on the river from 12:30 - 6:00PM (weather and river levels permitting). 5-College students will be graded pass/fail.

Please read expanded course description for FULL CLASS INFO. Debated to be the most superbly engineered sword in the world, the katana perseveres in modern times with deep roots in Japanese history. As one of the most popular icons of samurai warriors in feudal battlefields, Iaido reinvents the use of the sword and turns its power inwards as a means of personal precision, refinement, manners, and cutting of the ego in timeless battles that knows no era. NO PREVIOUS MARTIAL ARTS EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

Please read expanded course description for FULL CLASS INFO. Students from OPRA #0115-1 (Beginning Kyudo) will review methods of properly handling equipment, equipment maintenance, and practice of Shichido. Once essential aspects of Shichido are secure, additional techniques are introduced such as two-arrow forms called Hitote and Tsukubai. Both will be practiced at short range and then gradually at a more distant target. Students will learn the difference in equipment required for long-range shooting and how to synchronize with other archers in their practice.

Please read expanded course description for FULL CLASS INFO. To be an archer in historical samurai society was considered as being among the elite of a domain. Archers were beholden to defending their lord's stronghold from distant threats. After an era of great civil war ended in Japan by 1600 A.D., samurai warriors lost their primary means of occupation and were compelled repurpose their paradigms of fighting and destructive techniques.

Please read expanded course description for FULL CLASS INFO! Aikido is essentially a modern manifestation of traditional Japanese martial arts (Budo), derived from a synthesis of body, sword, and staff arts. Its primary emphasis is defensive, utilizing techniques of neutralization through leverage, timing, balance, and joint control. There is no emphasis on strikes or kicks since one is trained to blend and evade rather than confront. Beginners will practice ukemi (falling), body movement, conditioning, and several basic techniques.

Please read expanded course description for FULL CLASS INFO! "Bokken" are Japanese wooden swords used for training and application of hypothetical combat maneuvers that would otherwise be too dangerous to perform with a real metal sword. Created in a time of Japanese martial arts history when the training and production of scholars in "budo" (The Way of the warrior) rather than expendable battle-hardened soldiers was the objective, bokken were inexpensive and generally safe substitutes for real swords in daily training at martial arts schools.

Take your practice to the next level! In a supportive and positive atmosphere, we will explore challenging asana including advanced backbends, inversions, arm balances, twists and forward folds as well pranayama and meditation. This class is meant for dedicated practitioners with yoga experience and a high level of self-awareness. Please bring a yoga mat. Yoga mats are available for sale at the Hampshire College equipment room for $14. Instructor permission REQUIRED. Class meets in the Small Dance Studio of the Music and Dance Building. Five College students will be graded pass/fail.

Deepen your practice with the alignment-based class, intended for students who have completed #0105-Beginning Yoga or have outside prior yoga experience. In this class, we will explore a wider range of postures as well as breathing techniques and meditation. Please bring a yoga mat. Yoga mats are available for sale at the Hampshire College equipment room for $14. Class meets in the Small Dance Studio of the Music and Dance Building. Five College students will be graded pass/fail.

Learn the basics of yoga practice, including asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), vinyasa (moving with the breath), philosophy and meditation. This class is intended for those new to yoga or those looking for a slower paced, instruction-oriented class. Please wear clothing you can move comfortably in and bring a yoga mat. Yoga mats are available for sale at the Hampshire College equipment room for $14. Class meets in the Small Dance Theatre of the Music and Dance Building. Five College students will be graded pass/fail.