Mindfulness Practice

Emphasis areas:

Mindfulness Advocacy at Work

Mindfulness practice has been shown to be effective at reducing burnout in the workplace, particularly in healthcare. This emphasis area prepares students to integrate mindfulness into their own lives and to be an advocate for workplace integration of mindfulness to address institutional sources of burnout.

Clinical Applications of Mindfulness

Many clinical disciplines have found that mindfulness can have a positive effect on therapeutic outcomes for their patients. This emphasis area provides the tools for developing their own mindfulness practice and integrating mindfulness into their clinical interventions.

Awakening Compassion

Developing compassion has been shown to reduce workplace burnout and increase personal happiness and wellbeing. This emphasis provides the experience and tools to develop the heart qualities of empathy, kindness, and compassion and to integrate these qualities into their lives and work.

General Certificate Course Requirements (11 - 13 credits)

Core Mindfulness Courses (5-7 credits)

Introduction to Mindfulness or Fundamentals of Mindfulness

Effects of Mindfulness or The Mindful Practitioner                                                                                      

Mindfulness in Health Science

Mindfulness Capstone

Elective Courses:

Applications of Mindfulness: (2 credits from the following)

Mindful Self Compassion

Introduction to Yoga Nidra

Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice

Independent Study in Mindfulness                                                                                                                  

Theory and Context of Mindfulness: Choose ONE of the following (3 credits)

Introduction to Asian Philosophies

Cognitive Neuroscience

Complementary/Integrative Health    

Movement Meditation Course:  Choose ONE of the following (1 credit)

Beginning Yoga

Intermediate Yoga

Tai Chi             

For more information, please contact Tony Seikel at seikel@isu.edu.

Procedure for applying to the ISU Interprofessional Mindfulness Certificate Program  (last updated December 10, 2024)

1.  Apply to ISU if you are not already an ISU Student.

2. From the drop-down list on the application, select Interprofessional Certificate in Mindfulness as your major; NOTE: if you are already an ISU student, contact your academic advisor and request that the Interprofessional Mindfulness Certificate be declared in addition to your current major.

3. Contact the academic advisor for the Interprofessional Certificate in Mindfulness if you have questions about program requirements:

Karen Fullmer

(208) 282-2375

karenfullmer@isu.edu

Pocatello Campus

Karen may also be reached through the Pre-Health Advising page by scheduling and in-person or Zoom appointment.

You may also direct questions about the Certificate to Tony Seikel tonyseikel@isu.edu or Chris Owens chrisowens@isu.edu in the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences

4. In Bengal Web, check your Degree Works portal for a list of required courses and to track your progress.

5. You should meet regularly with your academic advisor as you complete the courses.  You may graduate with the Mindfulness Certificate when all requirements are completed.

For more information about academic certificates available at ISU, visit: https://www.isu.edu/certificates/

The cost of attendance is based on ISU fee schedule. 

Students are typically charged with in-state tuition/ fees when taking fully online courses, such as those that make up the Mindfulness Certificate. A small eISU fee is also charged for online courses.

MINDFULNESS ONLINE COURSES

Spring and Summer, 2025

KDHS Mindfulness Classes are all offered by Zoom or Asynchronous Online this Spring.

Spring 2025:

Mindful Parenting (DHS 4499-13/5599-12, 2 cr.) Online, fixed time.  Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 pm MT.  Instructors Karen Genelle & Danny Kell.  Students will learn how to practice mindfulness to reduce reactivity and cultivate compassion. Effective communication skills and elements of mindful discipline will be employed to increase cooperation and improve relationships. Contact karengenelle@isu.edu

Introduction to Mindfulness (DHS 4411-01; DHS 5511-01; 1 cr.)  Online, fixed time.  Early 8 weeks, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:50 pm MT. Instructors:  Jenn Holst & Paula Seikel.  This course introduces core skills and basic practices based on the four foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, thoughts, and daily activities. Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Jenn Holst holsjenn@isu.edu

Effects of Mindfulness (DHS 4405-01/5505-01; 1 cr.) Online, Fixed time. Late 8 weeks; Tuesdays, 5:00-6:40pm MT. Instructors: Tony Seikel, Kristin Fletcher, & Ron Solbrig.   This course provides meditation instruction and examination of your practice, while focusing on research on the physical, psychological, and neurophysiological changes resulting from meditation.  Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Tony Seikel seikel@isu.edu

Mindful Self-Compassion (DHS 4408-01/5508-01; 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Pocatello campus, early 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00 pm.  Instructors: Kristin Stewart Yates & Rick Pongratz. Based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, -supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. Participants will learn how to practice self-compassion in daily life and understand the benefits of self-compassion. Contact Kristin Stewart Yates at stewkris@isu.edu.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Yoga Nidra: (DHS 4499/5599, 1 cr.) Online No Fixed Time, late 8 weeks.   Celeste Tandy & Tony Seikel. Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice that helps reduce the effects of physical and emotional stress and increases balance and equanimity. Students will learn how to integrate Yoga Nidra and other meditation practices into their personal and professional lives. This form of yoga is practiced lying down in deep relaxation. Contact Celeste Tandy celestetandy@isu.edu or Tony Seikel at seikel@isu.edu.

Mindfulness-Based Strength Practices (MBSP). (DHS 4416-01/5599-14, 1 cr.) Online Fixed Time, Wed. 1:00-3:00 pm MT, March 10 - May 9.  Jane Coe Smith. MBSP integrates mindfulness and character strengths practices. Character Strengths builds awareness of personal strengths. Mindfulness practices are introduced and integrated with personal strengths practice. This interactive and experiential course promotes mindfully employing character strengths in personal and professional contexts. Contact Jane Coe Smith at <janecoesmith@isu.edu>

Summer 2025:

Introduction to Mindfulness (DHS 4411-01; DHS 5511-01; 1 cr.)  Online, fixed time.  Late 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 4:00-5:40 pm MT. Instructors:  Karen Genelle & Kristin Fletcher.  This course introduces core skills and basic practices based on the four foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, thoughts, and daily activities. Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Karen Genelle karengenelle@isu.edu

Mindful Parenting (DHS 4499-*/5599-*, 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Early 8 weeks, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:10 pm MT.  Instructors Karen Genelle & Danny Kell.  Students will learn how to practice mindfulness to reduce reactivity and cultivate compassion. Effective communication skills and elements of mindful discipline will be employed to increase cooperation and improve relationships. Contact karengenelle@isu.edu

Mindful Self-Compassion (DHS 4408-01/5508-01; 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Pocatello campus, late 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm.  Instructor: Kristin Stewart Yates. Based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, -supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. Participants will learn how to practice self-compassion in daily life and understand the benefits of self-compassion. Contact Kristin Stewart Yates at stewkris@isu.edu.

Classes are offered through the Division of Health Sciences and are open to ISU students, staff, and faculty and others wanting to learn ways to respond more mindfully to stress, improve their ability to stay present, and practice these skills with other learners. These classes are primarily experiential, so consistent attendance is essential. For more information and guided practices see https://www.isu.edu/healthsciences/mindfulness/

         *The section numbers for these courses are not yet available.

DHS 4401/5501 Mindfulness in Health Science

DHS 4408/5508 Mindful Self-Compassion

1. The students will understand concepts of Mindful Self-Compassion.
2. The students will explore and evaluate self-compassion practices as demonstrated through their weekly reflection journals and class discussions. 
3. The graduate students will create a short paper on applying self-compassion in their fields of study. 

DHS 4405/5505 Effects of Mindfulness

DHS 4406/5506 The Mindful Practitioner

1. Students will apply their knowledge of mindfulness through various practices, including meditation, movement, and daily living, and as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
2. Students will explore and evaluate applications of mindfulness in healthcare.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of mindful communication as it relates to the work setting through classroom discussion.
4. Students will learn individual and workplace problems that lead to employee burnout, and identify strategies to ameliorate those at the agency level.
5. The Graduate Student will create a presentation for the class on the ways mindfulness could be applied to their fields of study.

 DHS 4410/5510 Fundamentals of Mindfulness

1.  The students will understand the concepts of mindfulness.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of mindfulness through various practices, including meditation, movement, and daily living, and as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
3. The student will understand the theory of mindfulness meditation and practice, as demonstrated through classroom discussion.
4. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their meditation practice, as demonstrated through their daily meditation logs.
5. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.

DHS 4412/5512 Introduction to Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness

1.  Students will apply their knowledge of Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness through various practices, as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
2. The student will understand the theory of Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness, as demonstrated through classroom discussion.
3. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their Yoga Nidra practice, as demonstrated through their daily meditation logs.
4. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.
    

DHS 4411/5511 Introduction to Mindfulness

1. Students will understand basic concepts of mindfulness.
2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of mindfulness through daily journals.
3. Students will experience a variety of mindfulness activities and evaluate their usefulness in their lives.
4. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.

DHS 4416/5516 Mindfulness-Based Strength Practices

1. The students will understand the concepts of mindfulness and character strengths practices.
2. The students will explore and practice integrated applications of mindfulness-based strengths practices.
3. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their mindfulness-based strengths practices in their weekly reflection journals and class discussions.
4. The graduate students will develop a short paper on applying mindfulness-based strengths practices to their field of study.

 DHS 4414/5515 Independent Study in Mindfulness

1.  Students will work with their mindfulness advisor to develop and implement a plan of independent study in mindfulness.

DHS 4415/5515 Capstone in Mindfulness

1. Students will work with their mindfulness advisor to create and implement a project that may include new program development, research in a particular area, or focused study of a specific interest.