#1 Benefit of Brains and Balance Training: Improved Walking Gait

Participants from my four-week brain-based balance and mobility training classes shared the best personal benefit of the program and every single person noted better walking gait!  Wow!

Imagine walking with confidence, increased awareness and feeling more stable.

Steadier walking gait.  Walking is a dynamic integrated movement process that requires strength, flexibility, coordination and balance.  These students over the age of 65 strengthened muscles of hip and leg needed for stability.   They stretched their flexibility and they trained their reflexive stability skills.

Increased awareness of self and surroundings.  Peripheral field vision training increases ability to see what you're not looking at.  This results in better awareness of floor and objects in your pathway and quicker reaction times to imbalances and threats.

Increased confidence.  You feel more in control of your body within your surroundings.  This confidence exudes through better posture as a result of increased spatial awareness.

You envisioned yourself walking steady, strong and upright.  Make that vision a reality.  Get results!

Isn't that the number one purpose of balance training?
To feel more steady on your feet?  
To be aware of your body in space?
To know when and how to react in the case of imbalance???   

Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly

Benefits of Brains an Balance Training per Personal Testimonies

As the Brains and Balance Coach, I have been interviewing private clients and class participants about their experience with the brain-based training that I teach.  I'm known as The Fall Prevention Lady and now, The Brains and Balance Lady.  Either or, same person.

It was awesome to listen to the different reasons for joining the class.  The "why" of brains and balance training.  The personal motivators.  I loved listening and I am thankful for the survivor in each of you.  The warrior. The believer.

Benefits of Brains and Balance Training

When I asked what the greatest benefit, the best personal improvement from participating in the four-week brains and balance training class that I teach, there were common themes.

Benefits of Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly

1. Walk steady.  Improved walking.  Feel better walking.
2. No more fear.  Reduced fear.  Better confidence.
3. Gain control of body.   Increased awareness.
4. Understanding of what balance is and how to train it.
5. The amazing benefits of neuro-vision and neuro-vestibular training.

Aren't these the goals of a balance and mobility training program?  

Aren't these the things you want out of your balance and mobility training efforts?

Yes!  These are the things I want from my training.

Yes!  You can get these things in four-weeks!  Four weeks of brain-based training. Live.  In-Person. 

You can also get these benefits from my online course, Balance Training 101.  

4-modules.  4-weeks of balance drills. Easy.  Learn at your own pace.  Just do the exercises!

Oldest Balance Training Class Member Was Most Improved!

I finished teaching a 4-week Brains and Balance Training session at the Fair Oaks United Methodist Church shortly before Thanksgiving and I'm still bragging about the personal improvements!  In fact, there were some record-breaking achievements in the sense that I've never seen this much improvement in the fifteen years I've been teaching this class.

I"m proud to say that the oldest in the class was also the most improved!  At age 86, a sweet lady went from needing her hands to stand up (7) seven times in 30 seconds to being able to stand up and down (11) eleven times without using her hands at all!

WOW.....think about that....not having to use your hands to stand up anymore!  This woman no longer needs help standing up from the chair!  Independence.  Dignity.   All from four-weeks of brain-based balance training.  Not only can she stand up without help, she's able to do four more chair stands.  Huge improvement and since our legs are our "fall prevention muscles:, she's less likely to fall down!

Lower body strength increased and so did her lower body flexibility.  On the first day of class, this remarkable lady was 4.5 inches away from touching her toes.  On the last day of class, she was able to touch her toes!  This  gain of 4.5 inches in lower body flexibility means she's not as stiff and less likely to trip or shuffle.

86 years old and making this type of physical improvement proves that our body was made to be in motion.  Movement is life and when you learn how to train the body systems involved in balance, the payoffs are instant and life changing.  

Give the gift of independence, allow your loved ones to age with dignity.  Sign them up for my ABCs of Balance workshop.  Enroll them in four weeks, or eight sessions, of brain-based balance training with me, the The Fall Prevention Lady!

If you're not in the Sacramento region, I have an online brain-based balance training course, Balance Training 101, that offers the same training techniques used in my live classes.

Movement is Life.  Gain strength and flexibility so you can move

Number 1 rule of brain-based fitness: Sensory Before Motor

 Brains and Balance Nugget #1:  Sensory Before Motor

I was at the Western Peripheral Neuropathy Association's 20th Anniversary and told the group to rub their feet.  Paint their affected areas with light touch, stroking the skin, paying attention to the feeling.  It's time to touch your feet.  
Rub the toes. 

For people who can't feel a body part, like feet, or only feel pain or tingling;  touch your skin.  Gently rub the body part. Wrap it and rub it.  Feel the touch.  Pay attention to the body part so your brain remembers it's there and how to move it.   

Sensory before motor.  Focus on feeling your body before you try to move it.  Re-introduce your brain to your body.  One joint at a time.   It's a brain thing! 

The fascinating thing about the brain is that the half of the brain is dedicated to sensory processing.  Half of your brain.  If you're not stimulating the senses that the brain relies on in order to move safely through life, then half of your brain is dying.  

The two things a healthy brain needs is 1.  Activation 2.  Fuel.  Use it or lose it, especially sensory neurons of the brain.  One of the golden rules that Dr. Cobb of  Z-Health Performance consistently talks about is sensory before motor.  Skin stimulation. 

Simple.  Subtle.  Strategic.  

Holistic life care through specific brain activation techniques.  Simple.  Try them.  Rub your feet.  Rub your skin.  Then move.  

Sensory before motor.  It's how your nervous system functions.  Trust me.

Brains and Balance Lady,
also known as the Fall Prevention Lady

Stroke Survivor shows huge improvements in Brains and Balance Training class

The lone wolf.  The only guy in a class of three sisters and another female and the only reason this 79-year old stroke survivor was even in the class was because his wife signed him up!   Marv represented well and tied the oldest sister for most improved in the class.

Ninety minutes, twice a week for four-weeks.  Eight sessions of brain-based balance and mobility training.  Marv missed the first week so in essence, he improved the most the quickest!   He walked in with a severe limp and a cane and walked out tall and steady with his cane. 

His lower body strength improved 4.  In other words, he could stand up and sit down four more times in 30 seconds.  He reached nearly 3 inches further and was able to touch his toes!  This is tremendous!  His legs and low back aren't as stiff.  The greatest functional gain is that he was 2-seconds faster getting up from the chair and walking around a cone!  And steady, too!

The science of neuroplasticity is behind the significant improvements this man made in three weeks.  Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change structure to become more efficient.  The brain is hard-wired for survival and with precise training, you get precise results.

If you're tired of NOT GETTING RESULTS, I can help!  The training strategies I use are based on functional neurology and the science of neuroplasticity proves that change is possible at any age and any ability.

You know there's more to life than what you've been told to accept.  You know there's got to be another way.  If you've tried everything and nothing has worked, it's time to try something else!

I offer holistic, science-based training principles that will transform your balance, movement and vision when done as suggested.

Brains and Balance Lady

2019 Classes and Workshops
Private In-Home Training
Online Balance Training Course

Feel Confident Walking Your Dog

I recently finished my first ever 4-week Brains and Balance Training in the beautiful gated-community of Whitney Oaks Springfield in the hills of Rocklin.   This independent living community is paradise.  Residents are active and many walk their dogs up and down steep hills and enjoy gorgeous views.

A small group between the ages of 76 and 86 invested their time and a minimal fee to participate in the 90-minute brain-based classes that met twice a week for four-weeks.  I applaud these individuals for their interest in brain-based training for optimized movement in daily activity.  Thanks for believing in the message I am sending:  your brain can change and you can learn how to move better, balance better, and see better.

One of the most improved in the class was a 76-year old lady who not only excelled in the three Senior Fitness Tests but also gained balance confidence that has impacted her life in wonderful ways.

Physically, she stood up and sat down 3 more times in 30 seconds, putting her in the 95th percentile for ladies her age.  Emotionally, she feels more secure and has increased confidence walking her dogs up and down the paths in her beautiful community.

She continues to be fascinated by the brain-based training and sensory activation techniques that caused her to balance, move and see better in four short weeks.

Neighbors in the Whitney Oaks community....don't miss out on the next Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly session!  Introductory Brains and Balance seminar in late-January and classes begin in February.    Check out my website for local schedule.

Listen to her personal testimony!  Thank you Diane!

Guess which sister over the age of 74 was most improved in brains and balance class!

I recently finished a four-week Brains and Balance Training session at Fair Oaks United Methodist Church.  This class was something special because there were three sisters, ages 74, 83, and 86 taking this balance journey together.

The youngest sister just finished the class and because it helped her so much, she wanted her older sisters, both of whom had suffered a bad fall, to reap the benefits of my four-week brains and balance training program.

As usual, I collect pre and post-senior fitness test scores to measure the efficacy of the intervention; in this case, 8 sessions of small group, brain-based balance and fitness training with assigned homework drills.

Each sister presented with unique challenges to their balance and stability but they all did very well in the class.  There were some immediate improvements but the noticeable, "wow, you're moving so much better" changes started in the third week.  Taller, level postures.  Lengthened spines.  Quicker reaction times.  Big smiles.

Their nervous systems were integrating both sensory stimulation and motor activation better and the results were evident.

The post-assessment scores proved it!  There were some amazing results and the  sister with the most improved scores was the oldest!

Lower Body Flexibility:  
The 86-year old sister improved her lower body flexibility by 8.5 inches!  In FOUR-WEEKS!  Day one, she was six and one-half inches away from her toes and the last day, she reached two and one-half inches past those same toes!!!
Not far behind, the 83-year old sister gained an 5.5 inches.  The youngest has gained 8 inches but it has taken her a little longer (8-weeks) and there's nothing wrong with that!!!

Lower Body Strength: 
Sit down and stand up as many times as you can in 30 seconds.  The 86-year old sister did 3 more chair stands, the middle sister did 2 more and the youngest did more 4 more chair stands!  She also made it the full 30 seconds without stopping.  This was huge because she has COPD.  The fact that she can exert high effort and not lose her breath is beyond FANTASTIC!  Yay.

Dynamic Balance and Agility:
This tests how quickly they can get up from chair, walk around a cone that is eight-feet away, and return to seated position.  This is huge due to the integration of sensory and motor systems for mobility.  In the post-test, everyone walked with more stability, awareness, and confidence. The 86-year old was nearly 2.5 seconds faster!  WOW!

Amazing results in a short period of time.   And this wonderful sisterhood proves that you're never too old to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

Show your sister, or brother how much you care!  If you're in the Sacramento region, attend one of my live brain-based balance and mobility classes or attend one of my ABCs of Balance workshops.

If you're not in the area, make sure you sign up for my online balance training course, Balance Training 101.  Enrollment begins next week.

Brains and Balance Lady
Formerly known as The Fall Prevention Lady!

Do you want to feel more steady on your feet???

I  recently completed two Brains and Balance Training sessions in local communities.  As you know, I'm always commenting on how well the class does but this time, I decided to get personal testimonials from class participants so you can see directly how mature adults felt about the Brains and Balance Training.

After ten testimonials, I'm noticing some recurring benefits that class participants are sharing.   After participating in my four-week balance training program that combines brain activation and balance skill, older adults walk more steady.  Their walking gait is more confident and they are more aware of their surroundings and when they need to react.

Isn't that the number one purpose of balance training?

• To feel more steady on your feet?  
• To be aware of your body in space?
• To know when and how to react in the case of imbalance???    

My Brains and Balance Training class teaches mature adults of all ages and ability levels how to walk steady and know when and how to react.

Walking is one of the first skills we learn as infants and one of the first skills we take for granted as adults.  Opposite arm, opposite leg is now replaced with a cane or using a walker.

Walking is a window to brain function because it is a reflexive activity; an automatic process that we don't have to think about.   Unfortunately, years of prolonged sitting, untreated injuries and movement compensation result in unstable, unsteady walking gaits.

The fear of falling worsens the walking gait because your brain triggers protective behaviors such as short steps, hunched forward posture and shuffling feet.

It doesn't have to be this way!!!!  You can learn how to walk strong and confident again.  You're too young to sit back and let life happen to you;  make life happen for you.  One step at a time.

Register now for my 2019 Brains and Balance Training classes:  Local Schedule

Enroll in my online Balance Training 101 course:  Balance Training 101

68 yo Felt Unsteady and Knew She Would Fall if She Didn't Do Something

In a recent four-week Brains and Balance Training session at the Fair Oaks United Methodist church, the youngest person in the class was 68 years old.  Sally came to class because she knew her legs were weak, she tripped over her own toes all the time and she felt unsteady on her feet.

This tall burst of energy was scared of falling and knew that if she didn't do something now to fix the problem that she would end up falling and who knows how that would turn out.  

That's when her friend told her about my Brains and Balance Training classes.  After attending my introductory seminar, she immediately signed up for the 4-week training session.

Sally was fascinated with the brain-based drills and she saw huge improvements during class.  Her eyes would open wide and she would laugh as she reached further toward her toes than she had ever had in her lifetime.

She missed two classes but that didn't matter; this lady did her homework drills as recommended and her results were amazing!  In three short weeks, she:

• Strengthened her legs 
• Increased he lower body flexibility

These improvements are huge in the fall prevention world because your legs are your 'fall prevention' muscles and they need to be strong to react and supple enough to be precise.  How you move is important and can greatly affect fall risk.

This nearly 70-year old student learned how to get up and in doing so she no longer needs her hands to get up from the chair!  Woo-hoo!!!!  This is a personal success for many women because no one likes needing help to stand up.  Trying and failing to stand up over and over again gets old and the unpredictability of lower body weakness takes a toll on your confidence.

So after three weeks of brain-based balance training, this lady was able to stand up and sit down without using her hands and on top of that,  she could do three more chair stands!  

Not only did her legs get stronger but she also increased her lower body flexibility.  On the first day, she was one inch away from touching her toes.  Three weeks later, she reached one and one-half inches past her toes!  Woo-hoo!

Greater lower body flexibility means less likely to drag your toes when you walk, causing unnecessary trips and slips.  This was one of her main concerns on the first day of class.

Congratulations for your hard work, Sally, it paid off.  When you train the senses of balance, your brain smiles.  Learn how to activate half of your brain through brain-based balance training with me, The Brains and Balance Lady!  

ParkinsonWISE Training by PANC & Kasier Neurologists

Thanks to PANC (Parkinson's Association of Northern California), I had the amazing opportunity to learn from the best of the best; Kaiser Permanente movement disorder neurologists who specialize in Parkinsons Disease.

Neurophysical therapists and vestibular specialist Erin from Kaiser put on an amazingly functional neurology based-training program for health and fitness professionals who work with people living with Parkinsons.

Fabulous presentation by Drs and PT from Kaiser. As a brain practitioner, I loved learning functional exercises that target both how to reduce the risk of "freezes" but also how to work through a freezing epsiode.

I learned that there are two major areas of focus when working with people living with Parkinson's.  The first and foremost area of concern of their state of mind.

The second area of concern of people living with Parkinson's is motivation.  The PTs and Doctors shared motivational strategies like the reminder that "if you don't do it, the disease wins.  Get up, Do it.  Be accountable.  Be responsible.  You're empowered.

Specialists Neuro-PT, Erin showed amazing agility ladder drills stacked with my favorite stroop effect drill!  The tools they showed; amazing!  All my clients will benefit from speed and agility training.

Stroop is amazing for pre-frontal lobe activation.  Basal Ganglia,  Substantia Niagra.  Add metronome.  Bam.  It was so rewarding to see that the programs I wrote for my PD clients were right on time with neuro-specialist's suggested elements.

Amazing learning opportunity with awesome neuro-based exercises.  Pay attention to the Specifics.  Precise training gets precise results.  There is hope.  Train the input for better output.