Two Spring courses beginning in February will provide students with the tools to be able to handle stressful situations.

Continuing and Professional Education will offer the courses "Meditation: A Tool for Making a Difference," and "Meditation: A Tool for Increasing Well-Being."

"Meditation: Tool for Making a Difference," is the in-class meditation experience which will include 4 sessions throughout the months of February and March on Thursday evenings.

"This course could benefit any type of student and I am hoping those who are focused on their long term objective to make a difference in the world consider it," said Margaret Glenn, the instructor of both courses.

Each session will include basic information related to the type of meditation, body scan and breathing practice, as well as the half hour meditation experience.

"Meditation is a mind and body practice. There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions." according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

"Meditationa Tool for Well-Being," the online class, that will feature four sessions with a real time, web conferencing software. They will focus on resilience, positive outlook, attention and generosity.

In 2012, only 8 percent of adults and 1.6 percent of children in the United States meditated regularly, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Glenn said the course would benefit students health.

"In general, a meditation practice increases brain function, particularly in creative thinking and helps with focus and attention," she said.

Glenn continued, "It decreases impulses that are triggered in many of us by reducing stress and anxiety as well as increasing happiness, and in the long termresiliency."

Glenn has been trained in Primordial Sound Meditation and is certified by the Chopra Center to be an instructor.

She has also participated in teacher-training in cognitively-based compassion training created at the Tibetan Partnership.

"There is a cost that may deter students," Glenn said.

The cost of the in-class section will be $75, the online section will be $99.

"It is not for everyone and I always encourage people to read more about the subject before they start," Glenn said.

Students may register for the course at http://continuinged.wvu.edu/.

The classroom course will be held at 6:30 p.m. on February 9, 16, 23 and March 2 in Room 414 of Allen Hall on the Evansdale Campus.

The online course begins February 20.

"After (the class, meditation) is easily accessible and basically free to practice on your own," Glenn said.

Originally posted here:

Online and in-class meditation courses offered this semester - The Daily Athenaeum