Does your low back hurt? Do you often trip over your own toes? Do you sit a lot during the day?
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT FALLING?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you want to enroll in my brain-based balance and mobility fall prevention training classes.
I just finished a 4-week session of "Brains and Balance Fall Prevention Training with Coach Kelly" through the City of Folsom's Parks and Recreation Department. I had a full class with 14 people, 2 withdrew, leaving the perfect small group training size of 12 mature adults.
This group was a combination of old and young, athletic and sedentary, but all had the goal of improving their balance through functional neurology brain activation drills and physical therapy-based balance and mobility training techniques.
Senior Fitness Test results were outstanding; six out of the eight people tested on the last day improved their lower body flexibility score three (3) or more inches! This is remarkable improvement for everyday life.
Improved lower body flexibility translates to safer walking gait, less back pain, improved posture and better balance because you can react quicker to life's imbalances if you're not in pain and your legs are more agile.
In addition to improved lower body flexibility, this group of women improved lower body strength by an average of 3.5 chair stands. The chair stand is a universal test to measure lower body strength among older adults. Three more stand ups in 30 seconds translates to quicker reaction to imbalance and can save your life.
Lower body weakness is the #1 cause of falls among older adults. This group of ladies significantly reduced their risk of a fall in only four-weeks. They worked hard, did their homework and the test results prove the results.
Unfortunately, four people were not in attendance for the final testing. I am certain these numbers would have been even better if they were tested.
If you want to get stronger legs, reduce back pain and learn how to active the senses involved in balance, enroll in one of my brain-based balance and mobility training classes.
Visit my website for upcoming classes: THE FALL PREVENTION LADY
Showing posts with label FallProof. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FallProof. Show all posts
Friday, October 4, 2019
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Brains and Balance Training El Dorado Hills
El Dorado Hills is a beautiful, affluent suburb in the foothills of Sacramento and the older adults that live there are educated and know a good program when they see one. This summer I offered several workshops to introduce brain-based balance training to this community and I just completed my first four-week Brains and Balance Training session at the Gilmore Senior Center.
Eight participants joined with high hopes of improving their balance. After eight 90-minute sessions, each person left feeling more balanced, stronger and steadier on their feet. One of the most consistent remarks I heard was how much steadier people feel while walking.
Pre- and Post-Senior Fitness Test scores showed huge improvements in four short weeks. The most improved was a 71-year old woman with a chronic shoulder injury that affects her balance, stability and mobility. She increased lower body strength by 7 chair stand ups, increased lower body flexibility by three and a half inches and was nearly two seconds faster getting up and walking eight feet.
The most improved male was a 76-year old gentleman who increased his lower body flexibility by FIVE and a half FULL INCHES and increased lower body strength by 5 chair stands in 30 seconds. He worked hard doing his homework and applying the neuro-suggestions I give students for better performance.
Do you want to walk better? Do you want to feel more steady on your feet? Do you want to walk your dog with confidence? Are you retired and ready to enjoy the next chapter of your life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, get into a Brains and Balance Training program!
Eight participants joined with high hopes of improving their balance. After eight 90-minute sessions, each person left feeling more balanced, stronger and steadier on their feet. One of the most consistent remarks I heard was how much steadier people feel while walking.
Pre- and Post-Senior Fitness Test scores showed huge improvements in four short weeks. The most improved was a 71-year old woman with a chronic shoulder injury that affects her balance, stability and mobility. She increased lower body strength by 7 chair stand ups, increased lower body flexibility by three and a half inches and was nearly two seconds faster getting up and walking eight feet.
The most improved male was a 76-year old gentleman who increased his lower body flexibility by FIVE and a half FULL INCHES and increased lower body strength by 5 chair stands in 30 seconds. He worked hard doing his homework and applying the neuro-suggestions I give students for better performance.
Do you want to walk better? Do you want to feel more steady on your feet? Do you want to walk your dog with confidence? Are you retired and ready to enjoy the next chapter of your life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, get into a Brains and Balance Training program!
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Do You Want Your Life Back???
I'm finishing up two amazing Brains and Balance classes at Sun River church in Rancho Cordova and my students are thrilled with the results. This awesome lady explains how the class changed her life but is giving her life back!
"This class is not just LIFE CHANGING,
it's giving me LIFE BACK!
She's been living with neuropathy for over 10 years. She went to multiple neurologists and physical therapists who told her there was nothing they could do for her. Discouraged, she stopped doing the things she loved.
Through sensory activation, she's gained control of her body and is hopeful about her future. She still has peripheral neuropathy but she feels stable and is more aware of her body and knows how to move it.
Do you want your life back? Do you want to do the things you love again? If so, join me in one of my Brains and Balance Training classes. Lots of classes scheduled for spring and summer.
If you can't make classes, I can come to you for private sessions. And thanks to technology, we can even do some training online!
Your brain controls everything, learn how to active different parts of your brain for better movement. After all, movement is life and it's time to start living.
Monday, February 18, 2019
Your belly button and balance
What does your belly button have to do with your balance and what in the heck is belly button training???
One definition of balance is keeping your belly button over your feet whether you're walking or standing still (Dr. Debra Rose, Director Center for Successful Aging, Creator of FallProof). This is because your belly button is your center of gravity and your feet are your base of support. Belly button training is learning to keep your belly button over your feet at all times.
Balance, like aging, is different for each of us because we have all lived different lives, made different choices and face different challenges. Also, we all have different belly buttons!
In my Brains and Balance training classes, I teach belly button training to increase people's awareness of their center of gravity and how to move in such a way to keep their belly button over their feet. I assign evidence-based Stepping On balance training drills for homework.
The only way to improve your balance is to continuously challenge yourself. Since everyone starts with different abilities and challenges, there are modification and progressions that everyone needs to know when trying to improve their balance.
Don't wait for an accident, enroll today so you can learn how to keep your belly button over your feet!!!
One definition of balance is keeping your belly button over your feet whether you're walking or standing still (Dr. Debra Rose, Director Center for Successful Aging, Creator of FallProof). This is because your belly button is your center of gravity and your feet are your base of support. Belly button training is learning to keep your belly button over your feet at all times.
Balance, like aging, is different for each of us because we have all lived different lives, made different choices and face different challenges. Also, we all have different belly buttons!
In my Brains and Balance training classes, I teach belly button training to increase people's awareness of their center of gravity and how to move in such a way to keep their belly button over their feet. I assign evidence-based Stepping On balance training drills for homework.
The only way to improve your balance is to continuously challenge yourself. Since everyone starts with different abilities and challenges, there are modification and progressions that everyone needs to know when trying to improve their balance.
Don't wait for an accident, enroll today so you can learn how to keep your belly button over your feet!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Are you training the two types of movement needed to prevent falls?
There are two types of movement; reflexive and voluntary. Reflexes are subconscious, instinctual reactions that occur quickly. We learn these instincts as children and unfortunately, we may never train them again. Remember that entire nervous system runs on the Use it or Lose it principle.
Voluntary movement is conscious, intentional movement. This involves the frontal lobe and you decide how big a step to take, how wide, and in what direction. We obviously train voluntary movements like squats everytime you stand up and sit down. A conscious choice is to get up and move because if you know that if don't use those muscles, you know you will lose those muscles.
In my Brains and Balance Training classes, I train both reflexive and voluntary movement. We go back to the basics and learn when you need to react and then teach you how to react. I teach you how to train both your reflexes and your voluntary movement.
A Del Webb class participant reported that she used the reflexive training technique when walking through the parking lot and it saved her life. We all know those cement parking stops. Well she didn't see it because it was dark and she was looking somewhere else when she accidentally tripped over the parking stop. Automatically, she started taking as many steps as necessary to regain her balance...just like we practice in class!
Hallejulah! A fall prevented because of reflexive movement! She didn't think about how to react, it just happened. Train those instincts and your brain will automatically fire when needed.
As a certified Z-Health Brain Practitioner and Balance Specialist, I re-train people's instincts and voluntary movement. I train the nervous system so you know when you're falling and then how to react.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Enroll in my Brains and Balance Training class and train the two types of movement needed for independent life; reflexive and voluntary movement patterns.
Website: www.thefallpreventionlady.com
Voluntary movement is conscious, intentional movement. This involves the frontal lobe and you decide how big a step to take, how wide, and in what direction. We obviously train voluntary movements like squats everytime you stand up and sit down. A conscious choice is to get up and move because if you know that if don't use those muscles, you know you will lose those muscles.
In my Brains and Balance Training classes, I train both reflexive and voluntary movement. We go back to the basics and learn when you need to react and then teach you how to react. I teach you how to train both your reflexes and your voluntary movement.
A Del Webb class participant reported that she used the reflexive training technique when walking through the parking lot and it saved her life. We all know those cement parking stops. Well she didn't see it because it was dark and she was looking somewhere else when she accidentally tripped over the parking stop. Automatically, she started taking as many steps as necessary to regain her balance...just like we practice in class!
Hallejulah! A fall prevented because of reflexive movement! She didn't think about how to react, it just happened. Train those instincts and your brain will automatically fire when needed.
As a certified Z-Health Brain Practitioner and Balance Specialist, I re-train people's instincts and voluntary movement. I train the nervous system so you know when you're falling and then how to react.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Enroll in my Brains and Balance Training class and train the two types of movement needed for independent life; reflexive and voluntary movement patterns.
Website: www.thefallpreventionlady.com
Friday, December 21, 2018
Avoid Bumps and Dips in the Country and Prevent Falls
Holiday session "Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly" class participant shares her personal testimonial of benefits of the the brain-based training at the Woodland Senior and Community Center.
After four-weeks of brain-based balance and mobility training, she understands balance and knows what she needs to train. In eight sessions, she learned how to train her balance.
This multi-sensory training stimulates the most neglected part of the brain. As such, the drills we do in class are new and unknown to the class. Students learn how to train the vision and vestibular systems.
This student lives in the country and explains how the class has helped her avoid the "bumps and dips" when living on a farm. The vision drills increased her awareness of surroundings and now she reacts quicker and knows how to react.
After four-weeks of brain-based balance and mobility training, she understands balance and knows what she needs to train. In eight sessions, she learned how to train her balance.
This multi-sensory training stimulates the most neglected part of the brain. As such, the drills we do in class are new and unknown to the class. Students learn how to train the vision and vestibular systems.
This student lives in the country and explains how the class has helped her avoid the "bumps and dips" when living on a farm. The vision drills increased her awareness of surroundings and now she reacts quicker and knows how to react.
Friday, November 16, 2018
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Younger faces and more men in balance classes
Over the past decade, I've been teaching FallProof™ balance and mobility classes to older adults in communities throughout the Sacramento California region. As a certified movement re-educator and balance expert, I've seen the positive impact of multi-sensory training upon hundreds of lives and I'm proud to continue to teach 4- and 6-week sessions to adults who live at home and want to stay there through improved balance & quicker reaction speeds necessary to prevent a fall.
I've recently noticed a change in the 'average' FallProof™ class participant; 81year old females are now early to mid-70s with equal mixture of males and females. As an established fall prevention coalition member, this demographic shift is exciting proof that "FREE" hospital outreach programs are successfully offering evidence-based programs to our "older" more frail adults.
Most baby boomers, society's "younger" older adults, want to get a head start on retirement plans. Due to the overwhelming number of research studies that demonstrate exercise as the number one way to remain independent and THRIVE in later years, these boomers are ready to invest time and effort into research-based programs led by qualified instructors. As such, more people in their sixth and seventh decade, including MEN, are proactively enrolling in community-based "balance" training classes offered by qualified health and fitness independent contractors!
I'm psyched because I've taken my "multi-sensory" masters degree to the next level with brain science. As a certified Z-Health Practitioner, I train the nervous system and the engine running it; your brain. Founded on research and science, Z-Health principles train the input, the interpretation and output of the nervous system. The better the input, the better the output and the results are immediate. No guessing if you're doing the best drill for your brain; your movement shows it!
As we age, there are two things we don't want to lose:
1. Your balance
2. Your brains
My brain-based balance training class is perfect for anyone who is concerned about losing either #1 or #2, or both! Your brain is a "use it or lose it" muscle and needs proper activation and proper fueling in order to run efficiently. Want to learn more about how to train your brain so you can move well, balance well and see well?
Visit my website (The Fall Prevention Lady) and enroll in one of my classes:
Save your spot. Be proactive. Re-write the next chapter of your life.
Kelly
Sunday, May 7, 2017
I can tie my own shoes now!!!
While the face of participants in my FallProof™ balance & mobility classes is getting younger, I still have the honor of coaching a few people over the age of 80. In the April session at Fit4-U, I had both the 83-year old mom and her 56-year old daughter in class. This was quite a combination and both did exceptionally well. In fact, the oldest member of the class was also the most improved!
Barbara came to the Fall Prevention 101 workshop I presented at the local Church of Latter Day Saints and she was told me she eager to get started on the homework exercises since her balance was 'horrible'. She was the first person in the door on the first day of balance training and she proudly stated that she had been doing her homework every night!
She came to class using a walker and said she only used it once in awhile and mostly because her daughter was so worried about her balance. I assured her it was ok to use it when necessary and smiled as I said, 'you won't be needing that when I'm done with you!'.
By the fourth class, Barbara had switched from bringing her walker with her to carrying a cane. She didn't use either in class but carried them 'just in case'. The improvement in her walking gait became evident to everyone by the fifth class; she was standing taller, no longer looked at the floor and her walking stride was longer and stronger.
On the first day of class, she refused to do the sit and reach assessment because her back and legs were so stiff, it hurt for her to bend forward toward her toes. I showed her a modified way to do that exercise and on the last day, she not only did the assessment but also scored in the 37th percentile for women her age in lower body flexibility!!!
At the last class, she was so excited about everyone's kind responses to her noticeable posture and walking gait improvements. She was in tears as she recollected how she couldn't touch her toes or put on her own shoes before participating in this class. She smiled ear to ear as she talked about how surprised her daughter in Arizona will be with her improvement when she visits next month.
A wise, vibrant woman, Barbara gets the connection between staying active and being independent. She can't wait to repeat the beginner class in June and I can't wait to see her again, too!
Movement is life. Start living.
The Fall Prevention Lady
Barbara came to the Fall Prevention 101 workshop I presented at the local Church of Latter Day Saints and she was told me she eager to get started on the homework exercises since her balance was 'horrible'. She was the first person in the door on the first day of balance training and she proudly stated that she had been doing her homework every night!
She came to class using a walker and said she only used it once in awhile and mostly because her daughter was so worried about her balance. I assured her it was ok to use it when necessary and smiled as I said, 'you won't be needing that when I'm done with you!'.
By the fourth class, Barbara had switched from bringing her walker with her to carrying a cane. She didn't use either in class but carried them 'just in case'. The improvement in her walking gait became evident to everyone by the fifth class; she was standing taller, no longer looked at the floor and her walking stride was longer and stronger.
On the first day of class, she refused to do the sit and reach assessment because her back and legs were so stiff, it hurt for her to bend forward toward her toes. I showed her a modified way to do that exercise and on the last day, she not only did the assessment but also scored in the 37th percentile for women her age in lower body flexibility!!!
At the last class, she was so excited about everyone's kind responses to her noticeable posture and walking gait improvements. She was in tears as she recollected how she couldn't touch her toes or put on her own shoes before participating in this class. She smiled ear to ear as she talked about how surprised her daughter in Arizona will be with her improvement when she visits next month.
A wise, vibrant woman, Barbara gets the connection between staying active and being independent. She can't wait to repeat the beginner class in June and I can't wait to see her again, too!
Movement is life. Start living.
The Fall Prevention Lady
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Post-balance training test results are in and this is amazing!
I just finished coaching a four-week FallProof™ balance training session at a local church here in Carmichael, California. Even though we had a small group, the improvements were HUGE~
I test fitness parameters associated with fall risk both the first and last day of class to measure the effectiveness of the classes. I do this for several reasons; one, I am a firm believer in using standardized tests to measure the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Secondly, I am a firm believer in the FallProof™ program and have been keeping data for over eight years to show the effectiveness of the program and the methodology of instruction.
Lastly, numbers don't lie. Balance can be a subjective feeling that is hard to measure so having pre-and post-data clearly shows the impact of participating in the class on the three fitness parameters associated with balance and falls.
Ages varied from 67 to 89. Fitness levels ranged from highly independent and active to high fall-risk. Here are the results:
I test fitness parameters associated with fall risk both the first and last day of class to measure the effectiveness of the classes. I do this for several reasons; one, I am a firm believer in using standardized tests to measure the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Secondly, I am a firm believer in the FallProof™ program and have been keeping data for over eight years to show the effectiveness of the program and the methodology of instruction.
Lastly, numbers don't lie. Balance can be a subjective feeling that is hard to measure so having pre-and post-data clearly shows the impact of participating in the class on the three fitness parameters associated with balance and falls.
Ages varied from 67 to 89. Fitness levels ranged from highly independent and active to high fall-risk. Here are the results:
- Dynamic Balance: 89 yo improved her speed and agility by 2.5 seconds (+2.5 seconds)
- Lower body strength: 67 yo increased leg strength by 5 chair stands, putting her in the 100th percentile for women her age (+5 stands)
- Lower body flexibility:
- 89 yo man: improved (4)four inches in (4)four weeks (+4.1 inches)
- 81 yo woman: increased flexibility 6.5 inches in four weeks (+6.5 inches)
I am so proud everyone in the class. These people "get it" and understand the importance of consistent movement to remain independent . They also "get" the fact that balance can improve but it takes effort. Isn't your independence and vitality worth the effort?
Next class starting March 30th at Fit-4U Fitness Studio.
Contact me at info@thefallpreventionlady.com
Like my Facebook page: The Fall Prevention Lady
Visit my website: The Fall Prevention Lady.com
Friday, February 3, 2017
BENEFITS OF FALLPROOF BALANCE TRAINING
For nearly a decade, I have been doing what I love and living my purpose; teaching older adults how to improve balance and strength so they
DO NOT FALL DOWN!
Dr. Debra Rose designed FallProof™ balance training with a specific target audience in mind. Although FallProof™ is not for everyone, I have seen people of all ability levels benefit from the program and hundreds of lives have changed for the better because of this program.
Benefits:
The Fallroof™ program has been proven to reduce the
risk of falling in participants who have completed one or more rotations of the
program. The goal of
FallProof™ is to deliver:
- Improved postural alignment
- Increased limits of stability
- Improved integration of sensory information
- Increased confidence
- Improved performance of activities of daily life
- Heightened awareness of risk factors and circumstances
- Improved walking ability
- Improved ability to recover from loss of balance
One achieves these benefits from the structured and progressive program of activities
specifically designed to address the multiple dimensions that contribute to
balance and mobility. THIS IS NOT YOUR SENIOR CENTER FALL PREVENTION CLASS!!!
Techniques taught by balance and mobility specialists include:
- Center of Gravity Control Training
- Multisensory Training
- Postural Strategy Training
- Gait Pattern Enhancement Variation Training
- Strength & Flexibility Training
As I mentioned, FallProof™ was designed with a specific target audience in mind. The ideal candidate for the classes I teach meet the following criteria:
- Community dwelling, live independently in own home or apartment
- Able to safely walk a distance of 200 feet without the use of any assistive device (cane or walker)
- No memory loss or cognitive impairment likely to adversely impact judgment and/or decision-making abilities
- No unstable medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or asthma)
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Walk Steady. Stop Confidently.
The FallProof™ balance and mobility training program is the best program for anyone over the age of 60 who is living life at home and realizes your balance is getting worse and you want to do something about it before a fall so I can stay at home and live the quality life you have worked so hard to enjoy! FallProof™ is also perfect for anyone who may have already fallen and DOES NOT WANT TO FALL DOWN AGAIN!
FallProof is a theory-based, multi-sensory balance training program that was developed years ahead of it's time! I fell in love with this program from my first exposure in one of creator Dr. Debra Rose's workshops at the International Council on Active Aging Conference in 2007!
After spending time at the conference with Dr. Rose's team of graduate gerokinesiology students, I knew I wanted to be certified FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist and coach older adults through this progressively challenging program to improve their balance, increase self-confidence and reduce fall risk.
That was over ten years ago! It's been quite a decade but I have continued to offer the best balance training class for older adults throughout the Sacramento region.
If you're 'ambulatory', 'mobile', or 'barely get around', this class is for you! This balance training session is in Carmichael area, close to Whole Foods. Love to see you there this week.
If you're 'ambulatory', 'mobile', or 'barely get around', this class is for you! This balance training session is in Carmichael area, close to Whole Foods. Love to see you there this week.
UPCOMING FALLPROOF CLASS IN SACRAMENTO:
WHERE: Parkside Community Church
5700 S. Land Park Dr. Sacramento, CA 95822
5700 S. Land Park Dr. Sacramento, CA 95822
WHEN: Feb.14- March 9th
DAYS: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
TIMES: 1pm-2:30pm
COST: $99 per person
REGISTER: info@thefallpreventionlady.com
REGISTER: info@thefallpreventionlady.com
Friday, January 6, 2017
STOP WIDE!!!! Don't Fall Down!
Stop WIDE.
Anyone who has participated in one of the balance and mobility training classes I instruct in the Northern California region will more than likely automatically demonstrate the "wide stance reaction" when they hear those words. Some may smile as they remember me saying with a grin, "Put some flare into it!"
One of the crew putting some flare into her wide stop!
Imagine you are walking along a sidewalk and something catches your eye in the window of store; you stop to look at the item as you're passing by. Think for a minute:
- Are your feet close together?
- Are they facing the same direction?
- Is your weight centered over your feet?
- Are your feet facing one direction and your shoulders in another?
Obviously, it's easier to stop wide when you "anticipate" or see, the need to stop. But what about those times when you have to stop suddenly? You're Christmas shopping and you have to dodge the masses; stopping and starting along the path for your own safety!
Stop Wide is a balance and mobility training technique used to increase safety whenever you stop walking; expectantly or suddenly. Class participants line up on one side of the room. After I demonstrate proper walking form, I show how to "stop wide". Some giggle as I exaggerate my wide stop but they're usually the ones who remember; feet wide!
Then it's the participant's turn; they start walking across the room, practicing proper walking form and physically responding to my verbal cues to correct form. Suddenly, they hear a loud "STOP" command!
Some instantly come to a stop then step feet out wide, some keep on walking. You may suddenly hear someone say "WIDE" as they remind classmates in proper form. Then there some who literally hang on by their toes as they regain sense of body position (where the body parts are in space; oriented to body position) and slowly place feet in proper wide stance.
Senses awakened, they start walking again, "STOP". Physical responses quicken as neurons start firing and people's 'stop pattern' becomes more efficient. The message 'wide' slowly hits home and the feet go out. As we continue to practice this STOP WIDE exercise in conjunction with other walking gait patterns, I see the vast improvements in stability, mobility, balance and coordination in each participant.
This is one of my favorite fundamental mobility strategies taught in the FallProof™ progam and the participants love it. If you want to learn how to stop wide, register for one of my classes! If you do not live near me, video coming soon!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
FallProof™ balance training improves coordination after a stroke
I teach FallProof™ balance and mobility classes throughout the Sacramento area and I currently have several class participants who are living life after a stroke. Because the program I teach trains both the muscles and senses, some exercises can be especially challenging for these individuals due to motor sensory deficits.
Determined, these participants push themselves to do the exercises when the body doesn't respond as efficiently as it once did. Dedicated, these participants are focused on getting the body to function like it once did. Having had to learn to walk again after a near fatal car accident when I was 17, I feel their frustration but I am living testimony that impulses can return to normal.
Regenerating neural impulses takes time! Rarely do I see marked improvement in four weeks but changes become noticeable after a six-week program. That's why I'm excited when persons who had a stroke repeats my class. I've been told repeating the FallProof™ program is like reading a good book; you learn something new the second, third and even fourth time.
One 89 year-old gentleman is currently repeating the six-week balance and mobility program. Today was class #7 and he showed such a MARKED improvement in his walking gait and movement patterns that his classmates commented about his progress. His gait is more steady, his movements are more efficient and his confidence has doubled.
Today he had a "lightbulb" moment that made me realize the importance of consistent practice. After nine weeks of training, he finally understood the correlation between toes coming up and loss of balance! Although he still needs work on his reaction strategy, he gets it! This man is determined to improve and the results of training are starting to catch up. The entire class applauded when he went through the obstacle course and he was grinning ear to ear.
A retired physical therapist who had a stroke, Christina is also starting to show significant improvement in her walking gait and reaction strategies. Also a repeat student, she tends to 'overthink' things but when she relaxes and does the exercises, her body moves efficiently and she is more stable. Yesterday was the fist day in seven weeks that she did not shuffle! She took longer strides and you could NOT wipe the smile off her face when the class applauded her efforts.
I absolutely love what I do and I look forward to working with as many people as I can to improve coordination and reduce the risk of an accidental fall.
Blessings~
The Fall Prevention Lady
Determined, these participants push themselves to do the exercises when the body doesn't respond as efficiently as it once did. Dedicated, these participants are focused on getting the body to function like it once did. Having had to learn to walk again after a near fatal car accident when I was 17, I feel their frustration but I am living testimony that impulses can return to normal.
Regenerating neural impulses takes time! Rarely do I see marked improvement in four weeks but changes become noticeable after a six-week program. That's why I'm excited when persons who had a stroke repeats my class. I've been told repeating the FallProof™ program is like reading a good book; you learn something new the second, third and even fourth time.
One 89 year-old gentleman is currently repeating the six-week balance and mobility program. Today was class #7 and he showed such a MARKED improvement in his walking gait and movement patterns that his classmates commented about his progress. His gait is more steady, his movements are more efficient and his confidence has doubled.
Today he had a "lightbulb" moment that made me realize the importance of consistent practice. After nine weeks of training, he finally understood the correlation between toes coming up and loss of balance! Although he still needs work on his reaction strategy, he gets it! This man is determined to improve and the results of training are starting to catch up. The entire class applauded when he went through the obstacle course and he was grinning ear to ear.
A retired physical therapist who had a stroke, Christina is also starting to show significant improvement in her walking gait and reaction strategies. Also a repeat student, she tends to 'overthink' things but when she relaxes and does the exercises, her body moves efficiently and she is more stable. Yesterday was the fist day in seven weeks that she did not shuffle! She took longer strides and you could NOT wipe the smile off her face when the class applauded her efforts.
I absolutely love what I do and I look forward to working with as many people as I can to improve coordination and reduce the risk of an accidental fall.
Blessings~
The Fall Prevention Lady
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Fall Prevention 101™ by Kelly Ward, M.S., CTRS
Researched and created by certified FallProof™ Balance and Mobility Specialist and Stepping On Master Trainer Kelly Ward, M.S., CTRS.
Dynamic workshop about factors that increase the risk of falling and how older adults can reduce that risk. Supplemental workbook required.
Copyright 2012.
Dynamic workshop about factors that increase the risk of falling and how older adults can reduce that risk. Supplemental workbook required.
Copyright 2012.
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