Introduction to Meditation | Tuesday | Period 1
Originally, Bruce had planned to teach first-aid for the full summer. He knew it very well and it was something approximating a real educational class (practically health class, even) to the extent that he didn't feel like he was just screwing around doing nothing.
But apparently diversifying one's course offerings was the thing to do around here, and that was why the students arriving for class today would find a dimly-lit room with a lot of windows and a whole bunch of yoga mats and pillows on the floor, rather than desks lined up in rows. That would seem a little silly, since the name of the class was Introduction to Meditation and all. There was also a table at the front of the room with several pitchers of ice water with lemon, as well as some tea.
Deciding that, for the moment, standing seemed rather less pretentious than lecturing from a perch on his own yoga mat, Bruce cleared his throat and introduced himself.
"Hi," he said, with an awkward little half-wave. "I'm Dr. Banner. This is Introduction to Meditation, which you probably gathered from the mats and everything since I don't think there's a pilates class being offered. For those of you who might not be familiar with the concept, meditation is a broad term that refers to different schools of thought in regards to clearing your mind and achieving a particular emotional state. It's also... used a lot in anger management therapy."
Cough.
"We're going to be looking at theory as well as practice in this class, and there'll be a lot of sitting and meditating, so you're all encouraged to come dressed in comfortable clothing. It's first period, so if you want to show up in your pajamas, that's fine, as long as you, uh, wear pajamas." Please don't show up in your underwear. Jim. "I also want to ask that you please try to show up in a headspace that's conducive for the kind of work we're going to be doing. If you're feeling especially, um, emotional and don't think you'll be able to concentrate, I'll understand if you miss a class. But I think most people stand to benefit from knowing how to do what we're going to be studying, so if you're at all interested in the subject matter, please do come to class when you can."
He cleared his throat. "For today, I think the custom is to have you all introduce yourselves, so if you could please give your name, something you've recently been emotional about -- if you don't mind sharing -- and one academic subject that interests you, that'd be great. Um. Thanks."
Then he sat down. "Oh, and your TAs for this semester are Natalie Adams and--" he consulted a piece of paper-- "Darcy Lewis. So if you need anything and don't feel comfortable coming to me, you can speak to them."
But apparently diversifying one's course offerings was the thing to do around here, and that was why the students arriving for class today would find a dimly-lit room with a lot of windows and a whole bunch of yoga mats and pillows on the floor, rather than desks lined up in rows. That would seem a little silly, since the name of the class was Introduction to Meditation and all. There was also a table at the front of the room with several pitchers of ice water with lemon, as well as some tea.
Deciding that, for the moment, standing seemed rather less pretentious than lecturing from a perch on his own yoga mat, Bruce cleared his throat and introduced himself.
"Hi," he said, with an awkward little half-wave. "I'm Dr. Banner. This is Introduction to Meditation, which you probably gathered from the mats and everything since I don't think there's a pilates class being offered. For those of you who might not be familiar with the concept, meditation is a broad term that refers to different schools of thought in regards to clearing your mind and achieving a particular emotional state. It's also... used a lot in anger management therapy."
Cough.
"We're going to be looking at theory as well as practice in this class, and there'll be a lot of sitting and meditating, so you're all encouraged to come dressed in comfortable clothing. It's first period, so if you want to show up in your pajamas, that's fine, as long as you, uh, wear pajamas." Please don't show up in your underwear. Jim. "I also want to ask that you please try to show up in a headspace that's conducive for the kind of work we're going to be doing. If you're feeling especially, um, emotional and don't think you'll be able to concentrate, I'll understand if you miss a class. But I think most people stand to benefit from knowing how to do what we're going to be studying, so if you're at all interested in the subject matter, please do come to class when you can."
He cleared his throat. "For today, I think the custom is to have you all introduce yourselves, so if you could please give your name, something you've recently been emotional about -- if you don't mind sharing -- and one academic subject that interests you, that'd be great. Um. Thanks."
Then he sat down. "Oh, and your TAs for this semester are Natalie Adams and--" he consulted a piece of paper-- "Darcy Lewis. So if you need anything and don't feel comfortable coming to me, you can speak to them."