NAROPA UNIVERSITY

Department of Somatic Counseling Psychology

PSYS I: 646 The Body in Meditation and Psychotherapy
Section A
Fall Semester 2014- 1.0 credits
August 25- Dec. 12, 2014
Instructor: Jackie Ashley, MA, LPC, BC-DMT
Phone: 720-308-2728
E-mail: jackieashley9@gmail.com
Office hours by appointment
Class time: Monday 11:30-12:50pm
Location: VIRYA

Course Description:
This course will explore mindfulness-awareness meditation practice from a
somatically based perspective: We will explore how we work with ourselves from
a place of stillness and movement, and how this informs and supports our
training as body-based psychotherapists. The course also explores the
application of mindfulness-awareness practice in contemporary psychotherapies,
and how this practice has influenced individual therapists work. The body in
stillness is the ground to work directly with our moment-to-moment experience of
body, speech, and mind. Includes practice sessions, lecture, discussion,
experiential exercises, guest lecturers and in-class writing.

Methods of Instruction:
Class time will be spent in practice session & experiential exercises (30-40 min.),
lecture & discussion (30-40min) and in-class writing (5-10 min.).

Student Learning Outcomes:

Through practice, study and discussion, students will develop an understanding
of somatically informed mindfulness-awareness meditation practice: sitting &
walking, and how that supports and informs the training in somatic counseling
psychology.
This will be experienced through practices that explore the relationship between
ones body-sensations, ones mind and emotional states.
The practices of Maitri and Tong-Len will be introduced and experienced to
further students comprehension and development of compassion and empathy.
Students will be introduced to, and be able to compare and analyze current
psychotherapies and their use of mindfulness-awareness meditation practices.

Professional Decorum:
Cell phones must be turned off. No eating is allowed in class unless specifically
requested and approved. There will be no breaks in our 1:20 minute class so
please use the restroom before class as to not be disruptive.
The Somatic Counseling Psychology Masters Program is a professional training
program. Therefore, students need to demonstrate experiential/personal and
academic understanding of the course material. They are also expected to
demonstrate the maturity, decorum, and appropriate conduct expected of
practitioners in the field of professional helping. To this end students are
requested to review the principles of professional behavior listed under General
Policies: Professional Decorum in the MASCP Student Handbook.
Professional Licensure:
Please note that the licensure requirements of state boards and licensing
agencies vary from state to state and change over time. Consequently,
successful completion of degree requirements does not guarantee that a state
board or licensing agency will accept a graduates application for licensure. It is
important that learners are aware of their responsibilities regarding licensure and
certification; advisors are available to discuss professional and career matters
with learners and graduates.

Course Requirements:
Attendance & participation in class. 40%
Sitting/walking relationship with somatically based mindfulness-awareness
meditation practice outside of class time. TBD 10%
Meet with meditation instructor (My self: Jackie Ashley) 1x by 30TH
NOVEMBER. A sign up sheet will be provided. 2nd meetings are encouraged
and available. If you already have an instructor, proof of meeting in writing is
required from your instructor by 30th November. 5%
Completion of readings 5%
Class log, written on a 5x8 card to be filled out at the end of each class & handed
in, (responses, reactions, questions, confusions, insights, etc. - on readings,
experience, class discussion). 5%
Final paper: Topic to be announced. 3- 5 pp. (in APA format). 25%

Graduate level writing, style, and thinking are expected in all work.
Questions about what constitutes graduate level writing or style are to be
directed to either the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association, 6th Addition (2009). or to A Writers Reference by Diana Hacker
(1998). If you need individual support around graduate writing style and
standards, you can contact the Naropa Writing Center at 303.245.4606.
Work that is not graduate level will not be accepted and will be returned to
you for revisions. Revised work will be considered late.
5-minute presentation of your paper in class if time permits.
Attendance at Community Practice Day: (Oct. 7). Log to be filled out. 5%

Completion of Warriors Exam. 5%

Attendance & Grading:

Full attendance and participation are essential for this class. Students are
expected to participate in class practice sessions and experientials and
contribute verbally in class discussion. Also, please be on time, as tardiness
impacts everyone and is disruptive to the container and group cohesion. One
absence is allowed during the semester. Special circumstances regarding over 1
absence must be addressed directly with instructor within 24 hours of absence or
a head of time if known. Three tardys equal one absence. A tardy is if you miss
the bow in that begins class. Your grade will be lowered by one degree for any
absences over 1 (A- to a B+).
Papers that are late are graded down one degree for each day late (A to A-).
Students are responsible for all course material covered in
class when absent and are required to hand in a log for the
class missed, (can be based on readings).This card is due in
the next class period after the missed class and is considered
late after that. Please speak with me if you foresee this as
problematic or if speaking up in groups is challenging for you.

Accommodations for Disabilities:

Naropa University will provide accommodations for qualified students with
disabilities. To request an accommodation, or to discuss any learning needs you
may have, contact Jackie Chavarria, the Disability Resources Coordinator. Her
office is located in the Student Affairs Department in the Administration Building
on the Arapahoe Campus. You may contact her at 303-245-4749 or email:
jchavarria@naropa.edu.
Other Needs:
If you have any other needs that may require accommodations (special
arrangements) or if you will miss a class because of a religious holiday, please
contact the instructor by the third week of class.

Readings:
Source book articles are found on line at:
ELearning on your Mynaropa page
Search by course name. You can now access your online sourcebook directly
through the ELearning platform of your class. Weekly downloadable readings are
located in the Online Sourcebook Tab and links to internet sources are located in
the Web Resources tab. It is the expectation that students will check both tabs
weekly to access assigned readings.
Chodron, Pema. The Wisdom of No Escape & the Path of Loving Kindness.
Boston & London: Shambhala Publications, 2001. (WNE)

Johnson, Will. The Posture of Meditation. Boston & London: Shambhala

Publication, 1996. (PM)
Johnson, Will. Breathing Through the Whole Body: The Buddhas
Instructions on Integrating Mind, Body and Breath, Rochester, Vermont, Toronto,
Canada: Inner Traditions, 2012. (BTWB)

Class schedule & readings:

1.) AUG 25: Overview of class, introduction to material
SEPT. 1: NO CLASS DUE TO LABOR DAY
2.) Sept. 8: Contemplative Education/Why is meditation helpful for the training
of Somatic Psychotherapists?
ELearning Paul Fulton, Meditation and the Therapist
EL Trudy Goodman & Chris Germer, A Discussion Among
Psychologists
3.) SEPT 15: The Body as Ally in Meditation: Alignment.
Readings: PM pp. 1-38
Recommended: BTWB pp. 1-35
4.) SEPT 22: Embodiment; the challenge of awareness: Relaxation.
Readings: PM pp. 39-53
EL Dr. Reginald Ray, To Touch Enlightenment & Floating Heads
Recommended: BTWB pp. 38-80
5.) SEPT 29: Buddhism, Meditation & Psychotherapy:
Guest lecturer: Ani Thurpten Tsondro
HeartMind method
Readings:TBA
6.) OCT 6: Working with physical and emotional pain/challenges: Resilience
Video: The work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinnn
Readings: PM pp. 53-74
EL Ram Das & with Roger Walsh, Your Karma Is Your Dharma
7.) OCT. 7 TUES: COMMUNITY PRACTICE DAY: ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
Please write up a 5 x 7 card on your experience of attending.
8.) OCT. 13: : Maitri & Selfacceptance
Readings WNE 1-21
EL Ed Podvall, The History of Sanity
Written log on ones own History of Sanity
9.) OCT 20: Dyad work; taking your seat

SB Mark Epstein, The Two Person Meditation

*10.) OCT 27: Gender, multicultural and spiritual issues in psychotherapy
Guest lecturer: Beit Groski
Readings: ELTransAllyWorkbook.pdf, lncllntake.pdf,
Educateself.pdf. GenderSexualityDiversity.pdf
*11.) NOV. 3; Tong-Len; Sending and Taking
Readings: WNE pp. 56-81
PAPERS DUE IN 3 WEEKS NOVEMBER 24
?12.) NOV 10: Mindfulness, meditation and neuropsychology
Guest lecturer: Peter Grossenbacher
Readings: TBA
13.) NOV 17: Panel discussion: Psychotherapy and Mindfulness; DBT:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy/ Hakomi/ Somatic
Experiencing
Readings: TBA
Guest lecturers: DBT: Elizabeth Olsen
Hakomi: ?
Somatic Experiencing: Shanley Weber
14.) NOV 24: PAPERS DUE AND PRESENTATION OF PAPERS
15.) DEC.2: WARRIORS' EXAM AND CELEBRATION.
* Jackie will not be in class