LIFE FITNESS

LFIT-105 Belly Dancing
1 Credit
This course will focus on training students to understand and perform belly dance. Movement includes basic isolation and moves with the head, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, belly, hips, and feet as well as techniques which incorporate the entire body. Students will also learn about the different music, history, and culture of this dance style. Students will demonstrate mastery of belly dance through choreographed and non-choreographed class performances. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-105.

LFIT-110 Ballroom and Latin Dance
1 Credit
This course will focus on training students to understand and perform basic ballroom and Latin steps, turns, and partnering. Students will also learn the rhythms, history, and culture of each style. Students will demonstrate mastery of these styles through choreographed and non-choreographed class performances. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-110.

LFIT-112 Lifeguard Training
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the necessary minimum skills training for a person to qualify as a non-surf lifeguard. This training should be supplemented with training specific to the facility. This course provides ample opportunity for participants to learn and practice new skills, and to build their endurance so that these skills can be accomplished, and the course successfully completed. To be eligible for this course, the student must be fifteen years old by the last day of class; swim 300 yards continuously using these strokes in the following order: 100 yards front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing propellant kick, 100 yards breaststroke, 100 yards of either front crawl or breaststroke or a combination of them; swim 20 yards using previously mentioned stroke surface dive to a depth of between 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10 pound object, return to the surface, and swim back the 20 yards within the time allotted. (2.5 hours weekly)

LFIT-114 Basic Scuba
1 Credit
This course is designed for the novice skin and scuba diving enthusiast. Emphasis is placed on physical conditioning, perfection of essential skills, and study of the physics and physiology of diving. Also, external hazards of diving and care and maintenance of equipment are studied. All course activities take place in the classroom and pool of Howard Community College. Prerequisite: Minimum age for participation is 12 years. If under 16 years of age, must register for the course with an adult. Pass a Watermanship Skills Test. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-116 Fitness through Swimming
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to swimming and aquatic activities as a means of fitness development and maintenance. In addition to pool sessions, the student will be presented with a series of lectures designed to present to them the basic concepts of fitness development in general, as well as how they relate specifically to swimming. The student will also have the opportunity to learn the techniques and skills involved in snorkeling. Prerequisite: Swim 25-yards, non-stop, using any of the standard swimming strokes. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-117 Aquafit
1 Credit
Aquafit is a vertical water fitness program designed to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility of participants. The course will help the student increase fitness level, improve muscle tone, and look and feel better. Aquafit will be individualized to fit each student’s fitness level and swimming ability. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-120 Aerobic Dance
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide continuous movement through exercise and dance routines. Emphasis will be placed on the physiological benefits of aerobic dance. The course will provide students with the opportunity to maintain an intermediate level of cardiovascular fitness. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-122 StrengthFit
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to improve overall muscle strength, endurance, and tone. Students will learn how to develop and maintain a personal strengthening and conditioning program using basic fitness apparatus. This course will emphasize the use various fitness apparatus including inflatable balls, medicine balls, weighted bars, resistance tubing, and hand weights. No traditional weight machines will be used. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-123 Step Aerobics
1 Credit
This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of Step Aerobics, including information on the science, technique and footwork. Exploration of the “physiological” effects and “biomechanical” effects will be covered. There is no prerequisite for this course. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-124 Conditioning
1 Credit
This course is designed to help students develop an understanding of conditioning techniques through weight training and endurance training. Students will be exposed to exercise bikes, the universal gym and jogging techniques. Specific exercises will be recommended for the development of a personal conditioning program. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-125 Golf
1 Credit
This course is designed to introduce the student to the various aspects of golf. The use of the different types of clubs including the various woods and irons. Proper stroke and putting skills will also be covered. Scoring, course etiquette, and golfing safety will be covered. Students will receive instruction and playing time on a regulation golf course. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-126 Yoga I
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and ability to practice Indian Yoga. Students will experience how yoga can be used to improve health and well-being of mind and body. (1 hour weekly)

LFIT-127 Tai Chi
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the students with a knowledge and ability to perform the ancient Chinese martial art Tai Chi. The health aspects of Tai Chi practice will be emphasized. Students will also be presented with the history and philosophy of Tai Chi. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-128 Martial Arts I
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the martial arts of the World. Students will train in the techniques and methods of the martial arts of Jeet Kune Do. This form of martial art involves the use of hand strikes, kicking, elbowing, takedowns, throws, and locks. The historical and cultural basis of various arts in general, as well as Jeet Kune Do specifically, will be presented. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-129 Self Defense
1 Credit
This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles and concepts of personal safety and self defense. The theories, strategies, and techniques of the Burmese martial art of Bando will form the base used to develop physical self-defense competency. Development of self-protective awareness will be emphasized. The philosophy, history, legality, and psychology of self defense will be presented. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-130 Mixed Martial Arts
1 Credit
This course is designed to introduce the student to the combat sport of mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts combine the techniques and practices of striking and grappling arts. The techniques from the three ranges (stand-up, clinch, groundwork) used in the sport of mixed martial arts will be trained. The training methods, strategies, and techniques of Muay Thai/Thai Boxing, Brazilian Jujitsu, Russian Sambo, Japanese Shootwrestling, and Western Catch as Catch Can Wrestling will be examined and trained. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-131 Martial Arts of Southeast Asia
1 Credit
This course is designed to introduce the student to the Southeast Asian martial arts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Burma. The techniques and methods of Pentjak Silat (Indonesia), Kali/Escrima/Arnis (Philippines), and Bando (Burma) will be examined and trained. Bando (Burmese martial art): Bando is a composite system which includes the traditional Burmese martial arts of Bama Lethey (Burmese Boxing), Thaing (combat self-defense method), Banshay (weapons), and Naban (grappling). Pentjak Silat (Indonesian martial art): Pentjak means to train for fighting and silat means the actual fighting. One can not have pentjak without silat. Many styles of pentjak silat exist in Indonesia, including Serak, Harimau, and Mande Muda. Kali (Filipino martial art): Other versions or names for these martial arts include escrima, arnis, armas de mano, and many others. Class practice will include weapon, striking, throwing, and grappling techniques. Class time will be divided between empty hand and weapons training. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-132 Yoga II
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the student with the skill to perform a variety of advanced Hatha yoga positions and an understanding and experience of meditation. Students will learn the role yoga and meditation play in the two-way relaxation response between mind/body and body/mind. This course will also give students an understanding of the effect yoga and meditation has on one’s overall well-being physically and mentally. Students should have previous experience in practicing yoga. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-133 Tennis - Beginning
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide students who have never participated in, or have had limited formal instruction in, the sport of tennis. Students will be taught the various tennis strokes, as well as the rules, etiquette, and strategies for playing tennis. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-136 Kickboxing for Fitness
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide students with opportunity to practice kickboxing as a means of aerobic and muscular conditioning. The techniques and training methods from the sport of kickboxing will be used to enhance the students exercise experience. Students need no prior training or experience in kickboxing. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-137 Circuit Weight Training
1 Credit
This course is designed to improve muscle strength/endurance and cardiovascular fitness through participation in weight training and aerobic activities. (2 hours weekly)

LFIT-177 Introduction to Stage Combat
2 Credits
This course will introduce students to the basics of safety and partnering techniques in unarmed, knife, broadsword, quarterstaff, and single sword combat for the stage. Students must work diligently to create a safe environment while portraying a character in a fight performance. Students will demonstrate these partnering skills in class performances. This class will also give an overview on stage combat styles around the world. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-177.

LFIT-197 Pilates
1 Credit
Study and application of the Pilates Mat Program as a method of body conditioning, posing questions for anatomical self-evaluation based on applied instruction, lecture/discussion, required readings, and observation. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-197.

LFIT-198 Alexander Technique
1 Credit
This course is an examination of the Alexander Technique as a method to investigate the issues of mind/body disciplines and alleviate excessive tension, and habitual holding patterns which produce inefficient use of the body. Principles of the Alexander Technique will be explored through anatomical self-evaluation based on applied instruction, lecture/discussion, required readings, and observation. (2 hours weekly) Note: Also listed as DANC-198.

LFIT-199 Intermediate Pilates
1 Credit
This course is designed to provide the student with the ability to perform Intermediate Mat Pilates exercises. The student will be able to perform a basic postural assessment and explain exercise modifications based on the assessment. This course will incorporate the use of Pilates Fitness circle and Stability ball to challenge exercise intensity. Prerequisite: DANC-197 or LFIT-197. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-199.

LFIT-205 Intermediate Belly Dancing
1 Credit
This course will enhance students’ previous knowledge in basic belly dance as demonstrated in LFIT/DANC-105 Belly Dancing. This course focuses on training students to hone their skills of isolation, to begin incorporating props and more advanced belly dance techniques, and begins to foster beginning students’ own choreography. Movement vocabulary will include isolations of head, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, belly, hips, and feet as well as techniques incorporating the entire body and traveling. Students are expected to cultivate an enriched understanding of an area of belly dance culture of their choice to further inform their exploration of this dance form. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of belly dance through choreographed and non-choreographed class performances. Prerequisite: LFIT-105 or DANC-105. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-205.

LFIT-277 Intermediate Stage Combat: Unarmed
2 Credits
This physically-intense course will reinforce safety and partnering techniques in unarmed combat for the stage. Students must work diligently to create a safe environment while portraying a character in a fight performance. Students will demonstrate these advanced partnering skills in class performances. Students will have the option of performing a Skills Proficiency Test in Unarmed for a Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors. If students pass, they receive a certificate of proficiency in Unarmed from the SAFD. Prerequisite: THET/LFIT-177. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-277.

LFIT-278 Intermediate Stage Combat: Single Sword
2 Credits
This physically-intense course will reinforce the safety and partnering techniques in flashy, Hollywood sword fighting for the stage. Students must work diligently to create a safe environment while portraying a character in a fight performance. Students will demonstrate these advanced partnering skills in class performances. Students will have the option of performing a Skills Proficiency Test in Single Sword for a Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors. If students pass, they receive a certificate of proficiency in Single Sword from the SAFD. Prerequisite: THET/LFIT-177. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-278.

LFIT-279 Intermediate Stage Combat: Quarterstaff
2 Credits
This physically-intense course is intended for students who seek advanced actor training in quarterstaff combat for the stage. Students must demonstrate safe partnering techniques and strong acting choices while fighting with quarterstaffs onstage. Topics covered include acting the fight, scene selections from film and literature, quarterstaff techniques, critiquing choreography, and voice in violence. Students will have the option of performing a Skills Proficiency Test in Quarterstaff for a Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). If students pass the Skills Proficiency Test, they receive a certificate of proficiency in Quarterstaff from the SAFD. Prerequisite: THET-177/LFIT-177. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-279.

LFIT-280 Intermediate Stage Combat: Knife
2 Credits
This physically-intense course is intended for students who seek advanced actor training in knife combat for the stage. Students must demonstrate safe partnering techniques and strong acting choices while fighting with aluminum theatrical knives. Topics covered include acting the fight, scene selections from film and literature, knife techniques, critiquing choreography, and voice in violence. Students will have the option of performing a Skills Proficiency Test in Knife for a Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). If students pass the Skills Proficiency Test, they receive a certificate of proficiency in Knife from the SAFD. Prerequisite: THET-177/LFIT-177. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-280.

LFIT-298 Intermediate Alexander Technique
1 Credit
This course follows LFIT-198 (The Alexander Technique) and continues the study and practice of Alexander’s work with the Self as a mind/body unity. Recognizing the spiral nature of this type of learning, whereby we revisit the same activities and principles but at a deeper level, this course contains the same daily activities as the first course such as sitting, standing, walking, breathing and constructive rest. There is emphasis on the particular performance or everyday activity of most interest to the student, whether that be in music, dance, drama, athletics, public speaking, computer work or anything involving complex coordination. Prerequisite: DANC-198 or LFIT-198. (2 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as DANC-298.