Employing Restorative Wellness to Build Student Agency and Personal Voice/Choice

Abstract

I use the term restorative wellness practices as a concept associated with life application strategies and procedures that increase or return wellness to individuals or groups, some of whom have lost or never experienced this due to a lack of opportunities and resources. At the college, where I teach dance, fitness, and health courses, it has become my passion and commitment to develop the best wellness practices to create a connective culture for students, faculty, and staff by holding a successful nurturing space to strive academically and personally. This is achieved through community-based holistic activities that emphasize interpersonal skills, physical embodiment, nutrition, and cultural competence. In the heutagogical approach, one requires safe spaces to explore, question, and practice various concepts, and perspectives that involve a diverse group of peers and educators. My aim is to share this approach with dance educators and others who might find this practice useful in their teaching.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Note

Notes

1. This course offers a comprehensive discussion of the critical areas of physical fitness including cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, nutrition, weight management, cardiovascular disease, and injury prevention. Interactive learning and laboratory ­experience for individual assessment, the practice of exercise systems, and the improvement of physical fitness are the strategies employed for student learning.