Course Outline for Healthy Aging Older Adults 251
Balance & Yoga for the Mature Adult

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev:
Catalog Description:

HEAG 251 - Balance & Yoga for the Mature Adult

36.00 - 54.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
Designed to teach the principles of yoga and how they apply to improve balance, strength and wellness for the mature adult. Breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation techniques to lower stress and hypertension will be practiced throughout the course.
0835.10 - Physical Fitness and Body Movement
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Laboratory 36.00 - 54.00
Total 36.00 - 54.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. apply and demonstrate the principles of Hatha Yoga to achieve lifetime fitness and overall wellness;
  2. demonstrate proficient asana positioning techniques and progressions;
  3. prepare a daily personal yoga practice;
  4. describe the benefits of Hatha Yoga asanas and breathing techniques;
  5. be able to track their blood pressure and use yoga on a daily basis to relieve stress.
Course Content:
  1. Principles of Hatha Yoga
  2. Progressive and sequential asana routine.
  3. Development of personal yoga practices.
  4. Breathing and meditation techniques to relieve stress.
  5. Dangers of hypertension and pre-diabetes. 
  6. Tracking your blood pressure. 
  7. Identify problem foods as they relate to diabetes and hypertension. 
  8. Waist to hip ratio and its relationship to diabetes and hypertension. 
  9. Identifying metabolic syndrome. 
  10. Getting the essential tests done with your physician.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Group Activities
  2. Individual Performance
  3. Presentation of audio-visual materials
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read the chapter on blood pressure and blood sugar. Be prepared to discuss how these two measurements relate to pre-diabetes and hypertension.
  2. Measure blood pressure twice weekly over six weeks. Keep a journal of each day's measure.
  3. Perform a sequence of Hatha Yoga asanas based upon your personal needs.
  4. Write and explain a Hatha Yoga asanas program for your personal needs.
  5. Read the chapter on daily personal yoga practice. Be prepared to discuss your daily personal practice in class.
  1. Class Participation
  2. Mandatory completion of BAR attendance criteria
  3. Class Work
  4. Papers
  5. Journals
  6. Final Examination or Project
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate greater confidence through fitness
  2. demonstrate increased strength and fitness
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Dennis Charleton (2022). A Professional Guide to Yoga (1st). States Academic Press.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Designed to teach the principles of yoga and how they apply to improve balance, strength and wellness for the mature adult. Breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation techniques to lower stress and hypertension will be practiced throughout the course.
Discipline:
Physical Education*