Senior Fitness Tests Used to Measure Balance in Brain-based Class

Balance is difficult to define because it's different for everyone.  And because balance means different things to different people, it's hard to establish a 'standardized' measurement for balance.  For these reasons, I use the only standardized testing for seniors; Rickli and Jones' Senior Fitness Tests, to measure different components of fitness associated with balance and falls.

For the past fifteen years (15 years), I have collected data on every student on the first and last days of class to provide objective data regarding their balance.  You may not 'feel' like you improved that much in such a short period of time but numbers don't lie.  I measure lower body strength, lower body flexibility and dynamic balance and agility; three components of fitness directly related to personal safety and independence.

The results are in from the two Brains and Balance Training classes at Sun River Church and I am excited about the progress made in four short weeks.  It was interesting to note that avid walkers increased significantly in lower body strength and flexibility but not so much in speed and agility.

The legally blind student was the most improved in his class and in the top 3 improved of 17 people.  He did 3 more chair stands in 30 seconds, reached 3.5 inches further toward his toes and walked 3 full seconds faster around a cone and back to his seat!  He's 83 years old!  And he has macular degeneration!  And he's a US Veteran!

A couple who walks over three miles every morning also showed significant improvement.  The husband was most improved by doing six more chair stands in 30 seconds and reaching 4 inches further toward toes.  His wife did equally as well, increasing lower body strength by 4 and reaching 2.5 inches further.  Both are now in the upper percentile ranks among people their age and gender.

The most improved of both groups was a caregiver in her mid-70s who had taken a bad fall the day before we started class.  Over four weeks, she not only increased her confidence but nearly doubled the number of chair stands, or lower body strength!  She reached 6.5 inches further and can touch her toes for the first time in her life.

I have to mention another couple who made significant improvements in all three areas of fitness however what was better than their numbers was the improved quality of life they felt they have gained from brain-based training.

She said the class was not only life changing but gave her life back!  Diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, she is no longer crawling through life scared of falling but now feels her feet in contact with the ground and knows how to control her body.  Her joy is radiant and all her friends are commenting on how much better she's moving and looking.

A lifelong athlete, he stands up better.  He's short-waisted, long legged and now he feels stable when standing up.  This is huge for a person who exercises daily and enjoys being active.

I absolutely love what I do; train the two things you don't want to lose as you get older; your brains and your balance.   Don't wait ten years for your trainer or doctor to tell you about exercises to activate your body so you can move, balance and see better.  Find a Z-Health trainer near you and change the way you move through life.

Legally blind student drops chronic pain with vision drills

One of my students in my Brains and Balance Training classes at Sun River Church is legally blind.  His macular degeneration is advanced and he can only see in the peripheral field.

On the first day of class, his pain level was a 10 which he attributed to chronic spinal stenosis.  As a Brain Practitioner, I was thinking otherwise.  His posture was stooped forward with a slight bend to the right.  His sense of equilibrium was off center which was evident in his posture.

I had him do specific eye drills to activate PAIN INHIBITION CENTERS in the brain.  His challenge was that he could not  actually see the pencil that I was asking him to follow with his eyes.  This is where brain science gets AWESOME.....

By ENVISIONING the pencil moving (eyes following pencil while in his hand), this gentleman who is illegally blind, activated the same neurons and neural pathways as if he could actually see the pencil.  Envisioning the target has the same powerful effect on brain activation as actually seeing it.

After two weeks, four sessions of brain-based training and lots of homework drills, this legally blind class participant's perceived level of pain is a 4 out of 10.  His eyes are moving 100% better and he's standing up straighter;  shoulders are level and his scoliosis is less pronounced.

You want to know what the best thing I've noticed?  His mood change!  Although he's not 100% pain-free, his mood is lighter, he's more engaged and exudes more confidence.  In fact, he got up and did the walking drills with the rest of the group!

WOW.  Just think about that....legally blind and living in a world of darkness and pain.  Through specific vision training drills and envisioning the target during precise vision training drills, this guy's pain has decreased significantly, his posture has improved dramatically and his mood is happy and hopeful.

What is going on?  Why are these changes happening?  Vision drills activate different parts of the brain; parts of the brain that are directly responsible for posture and pain.  Each eye has six muscles and those muscles are innervated by nerves that go directly into the brainstem.

The processing of all visual information (assigning meaning to visual data) activates all the lobes of the brain.  Vision is a brain-wide event.

And an activated brain is a happy brain because as you know, a healthy brain needs two things:
1.  Fuel  2.  Activation.

Is your vision getting worse each day?  Are you in chronic pain?  Do you feel unsteady and live in fear of falling?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are the perfect candidate for brain-based Balance Training with Coach Kelly.

My Neurologist and Physical Therapist Couldn't Help My Balance

Have you been to your neurologist for nerve pain and he ran every test and still couldn't help you?  Did your neurologist send you to a physical therapist who said, 'there's nothing we can do', leaving you with numb, tingling feet and a fear of falling?   If so, you're not alone.

Educate.  Demonstrate.  Facilitate. 

I just started two Brains and Balance Training classes at Sun River Church and I am blessed to work with some amazing people.  There are people from age 63-87 and every ability level you can imagine.  The two classes are small enough that I can offer (limited) individual attention to those who are struggling or have additional needs.

One lady came up to me after our fourth class (halfway through program) and told me I was an 'absolute lifesaver'.  She proceeded to tell me that she had been to several neurologists and physical therapist for the peripheral neuropathy in her feet and after running every test imaginable, they told her there was nothing they could do for her.

In four sessions, she's learned how to activate the receptors in her feet and is learning when and how to react if she's losing her balance.  She said, "I'm learning so much in this class and it's helping me so much....I can't tell you how happy I am".

That's my goal!  As an independent contractor, I strive to help people improve their balance and brain function. I teach them what's going on with their balance and then give them tools to improve instability and weakness.  It's up to each person to do the drills that work for them: no one's going to do it for you but you!

I'm not saying that my class cures peripheral neuropathy but it can help you live with the condition.  Can damaged nerves be regenerated?  With sufficient sensory stimulation, anything is possible.   Nerves need to move and nerves need stimulation.   Lots of sensory stimulation.

If you have peripheral neuropathy or can't feel your feet as well as you used to, you're a perfect candidate for my 4-week Brains and Balance Training Classes.   Learn how to control your body.  Re-introduce your brain to numb body parts because if you can't feel it, your brain can't move it!

Brains and Balance Class with Coach Kelly.  4-weeks.  8 sessions.  Greatest retirement investment for your money, your body and your brain.