Disabilities
Positive improvements through movement
For over a decade I have been working with people who have physical disabilities and during that time I’ve learned how powerful movement can be in the healing process.
First, I believe in meeting people where they are physically and helping them grow from there. When I work with clients, I spend time getting to know their movement patterns. Every body is unique and shouldn’t be categorized or generalized. I feel it is important to take the time to truly understand what works for each person, even if it isn’t a textbook or clear-cut case. When I teach clients, my approach is based on research and investigation that adapts and grows as they do.
Whether you were born with a physical disability, or it happened to you later in life, you can always learn new ways of moving that will make you feel energized and connected to your body. Exercising when you have a physical disability should not always be about learning adaptations and modifications to traditional exercises. You should be able to discover what your body is capable of and create a movement that encourages that capability. I combine therapeutic exercise with elements of Pilates and dance improvisation to help my clients make new discoveries about their bodies while feeling safe and at ease in their movement.
Holistic Pain Management and Wellness
Once found, a new movement that is repeated strengthens the mind/body connection and creates new neural pathways in your brain. This will allow you to progress physically over time. Using exercise as an exploration teaches you what you are capable of and allows you to listen to your physical sensations. It empowers you to feel at home in your body and gives you the tools to exercise on your own as well.
Therapeutic exercise will help you reach beyond your ideas of limitations and find what is possible inside your body. It’s a great way to continue the healing process post-rehabilitation. Pilates is an amazing compliment to rehab and physical therapy. Pilates was initially created to inspire and health and wellness. Joseph Pilates’ early work included rehabilitating war veterans after WWI, so many of the exercises were created as physical therapy. I always work in conjunction with my clients’ doctors and physical therapists to create the best possible physical care routine for them.
Why not try exercise for fibromyalgia? Or exercise for COPD?
Working in this way helps you stay in a growth mindset when it comes to your physical rehabilitation. At times when it feels difficult to believe in yourself, mindful movement can show you how much you are capable of, instead of revealing your limitations. Your body will continue to heal during your life and always be able to make positive changes. Maintaining an active investigation of movement will enhance the process.