2. Thesis
• At the University of Notre Dame, instead
of having two semesters of PE, there should
be only one while the second semester
becomes a required Yoga/Meditation course
that could also serve as a Philosophy
requirement.
3. Why change?
• Most freshmen complain about two
semesters of required PE, and many of
them participate in one unit of yoga as is
• Currently no credit received for PE, but
two required philosophy courses
• Two contemporary topics units can easily
be condensed into one
4. And most importantly...
• YOGA and MEDITATION have numerous
health, psychological, and fitness benefits as
well as a philosophical background that can
be taught in a productive, encouraging
group atmosphere. ALL OF THIS IN ONE
CLASS twice per week! YAY!
5. Why College Students?
• “Students are encouraged to use the first
year as a time of exploration and
discovery.”
• STRESS, Peer Pressure, Relationships,
Depression, Anxiety, Fitness & Exercise,
Time Management
6. Mahrishi Yogi
• “What is lacking is a complete system of
education which will give depth to a
curriculum and enable students to become
responsible citizens, fully grown in all values
of life, established in higher consciousness
and understanding.”
7. Yoga
• Began in India
• Patience, Balance, Flexibility
• “One in Communion with God”
• Painful for some, but a good burn rather
than excruciating pain. The more you do,
the better you feel/less pain because its all
about loosening the muscles to relax
8. Benefits
• 400,000 deaths/yr due to physical inactivity
or bad eating habits
• Study shows lower arousal levels after yoga
compared to walking/swimming, relaxed
mind
• Group Treatment rather than individual,
makes one feel more involved and less like
something is wrong with them
9. ND Students
• The stresses of college life and depression
students deal with can be helped through
yoga and meditation. Controlling one’s
thoughts for 20 minutes a day can improve
happiness, which likely improves ability to
focus on school work and enjoy the little
things. Happier Notre Dame campus and
possibly better academic performance.
10. Counterargument
• Notre Dame’s Firm Stance against
premarital sex ie parietals, single sex dorms
• Yoga has recently been linked to improving
fertility for women
• Yoga itself is somewhat sexual compared to
weight lifting and ND may not want to
sponsor a class that could potentially
increase on campus sexual activity
11. Counterargument 2
• Yoga is more for women than men
• It’s too painful or people fall asleep.
• Prefer the current system
12. Philosophy
• Although it wouldn’t necessarily have to be
a philosophy course and could remain a PE
class with no credit and no writing, the
philosophical side of yoga could be
explored and make for a very interesting 3-
credit philo course that could knock off a
university requirement and PE in one class
