AWC classes stress ways to de-stress

  There's no excuse for being stressed out at Arizona Western College, not when there's classes like meditation and tai chi.

  Classes teaching complementary or alternative health care aren't just available at AWC. Professors say they are rapidly growing in popularity.

  "We've had a great response for these classes," said Kate Turpin, coordinator for AWC's massage program. "I think people are searching and questioning all the time, and these classes are just another avenue for self-discovery in a nonthreatening environment."

  Yuma's community college began offering complementary health classes when the massage program was created four years. The classes originally targeted massage students who needed elective classes, but students from all sorts of backgrounds began showing interest in learning about Chinese medicine and Native American healing.

  Turpin said the classes are also popular with working professionals and retirees interested in lifelong learning.

  Complementary medicine classes are taught by "community experts" ranging from herbalists to alternative healers such as acupuncturists and Reiki masters.

  "We actually don't like to say (just) alternative medicine. We prefer to say complementary and alternative medicine," Turpin stressed. "A growing number of people are turning to alternative methods looking for preventative health medicine to complement Western medicine, which is more crisis intervention. The two can work together to help people be whole and well."

  She added that, as would be expected at a place of higher learning, all the classes take an academic approach to all topics.

  "Scientifically backed information is given, as well as the anecdotal information as to why these methods work."

  Many classes offer online components, while a few are taught completely online.

  The cost is $56 per credit hour for Arizona residents 59 and under. Older Arizona residents pay $47. The cost for non-Arizona residents is $62 and $53, respectively. The classes range from one to three credits.

  To register for any of the classes interested students can go online to azwestern.edu or register in person on the campus Monday through Thursday. The spring semester begins MondayJan. 12, but several of the complementary medicine classes will have a late start.

  For more information about these classes, call Turpin at 317-6056 or e-mail kate.turpin@azwestern.edu.

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AWC CLASSES:

• Five Element Chinese Medicine
Instructor: Elyse Tera
When: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 16 through March 6

• Massage Technique for Family Use
Instructor: Kate Turpin
When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays (lecture) and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays (lab) Feb. 24 through March 7

• Flower Essences
Instructor: Laura Lago
When: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, March 16 through June 8

• Humor and Play
Instructor: Sherri Wayman
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays, March 16 through June 4

• Concepts of Wellness
Instructor: Shanen Aranmor
When: To be announced

• Introduction to Energy Therapy
Instructor: Pamela Gassaway
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 through March 9

• Stress Management
Instructor: Susan Hejhal
When: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 14 through June 6

• Advanced Herbal Remedies
Instructor: Laura Lago
When: Times to be announced, Feb. 7-8, March 7-8, April 11-12, May 2-3

• Applied Aromatherapy
Instructor: Laura Lago
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18, March 4, March 18, April 1, April 22, April 29 and May 13

• Tai Chi Chih
Instructor: Kasanda Lor
When: 7:20 to 8:35 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 13 through March 5

• Yoga
Instructors: Pamela Gassaway and Jason McCutcheon
When: Various classes, see online schedule
Source: AZwestern.edu

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.