Psycho-Physical Balance Therapy

Here's what practitioners have to say about Psycho-Physical Balance Therapy™:

M. Isabel MacGregor, MD., Medical Director, Keswick Multi-Care Center:
As Medical Director of Keswick I have worked closely with Mr. Levine during the past two years...Mr. Levine has trained the health professionals who, in turn, are teaching TaiChi to selected patients. In this way TaiChi is being used as a compliment to other nursing restorative practices...From the very beginning it was apparent that Mr. Levine brought a sense of quality, professionalism and dedication to his work...His enthusiasm, patience and ability to work exceedingly well with residents and staff has won him respect throughout out community.

Steve Warres, MD, Psychiatrist at Sheppard-Pratt Hospital and the Forbush School
I have especially appreciated our working together to modify the form so that I could utilize it with my physical handicap. Doing the form on one leg as well as a leg and a crutch has helped strength, balance, and confidence.

There are two additional ways that the instruction has proved useful: in my work with children and with married couples. The t'ai chi children's games, particularly those that enhance the skill of moving around one another without colliding, provide a kinesthetic teaching on alternatives to confrontation and aggression. For couples, I have used introductory push hands, focusing on awareness of each other's pressure and movement, to sensitize spouses to the interpenetration of action and reaction that goes on at an emotional as well as a physical level and to bring to a more conscious level their awareness of and sensitivity to the shared state of the dyad.

Marta Grosmark, RMT
The best reward teaching the Psycho-physical balance therapy with long term care residents is giving them the chance to improve their mobility skills and teach them to relax in a non-threatening environment. I can see how, day by day, they start to enjoy the simple act of breathing and moving to my cues. They feel cared and important because this is an exclusive time for them to exercise as well as having a good time. While my background is in Music Therapy learning this technique has helped me to focus on the physical aspect of aging. Body, mind and spirit work together in unison with this approach, by melting out those blocking connections that prevent us from becoming more balanced people. At the end of each class, residents might feel tired or relaxed, but their smile explained to us better how beneficial it was for them.

Sandy Hamlin, Activities Coordinator
When I first started I had my doubts about the program, but the more I allowed my mind and body to really get into the exercise, I begin to see great results. The arthritic problem I have in my knees decreased. They begin to feel better. It has improved my dancing when before I would tire easily. Now I can dance the night away.
I can see great improvement in my residents as well. They are standing better, walking with more balance and socializing with others in the group. I have seen great improvement in transferring from chair to chair.

I feel that the Tai Chi exercise can eliminate in the future some of the wheel chair usage in this facility. Tai Chi is a great asset by providing first hand assistance to residents with mobility problems

Sue Meadow Bennett, Director, Therapeutic Recreation, Keswick Multi-Care Center:
Psycho-Physical Balance therapy has been very rewarding for the long-term care residents. The residents feel more confident and less afraid to approach a new situation. I had some residents who were very fearful of just standing. Through encouragement and watching other residents during these sessions, these residents are now able to stand for a short time. The breathing exercises have been beneficial. Residents have learned how to relax and reduce some stress. They are now more aware of the interaction between mind and body. Most of all the residents enjoy the sessions and look forward to doing them. For me, by participating in these sessions with the residents, I have become more relaxed and aware of my ability to control my physical aspects of my being.

Anne Marie Williams, P.T.
I could feel a real change in my awareness of my center of balance. When I went home Friday night, my husband said I looked more relaxed and at peace.

Cara Drake, P.T.
I have a start of really being able to feel centered. I have a new exercise that I can use for myself and teach my very active 5-year-old boy.

Mary Kate Fries-Hershfeld, P.T.
After the first day I felt like I'd gotten a wonderful massage. It gave me work ideas for a difficult patient with a prosthesis-leg.

Shirley Duffy, Recreational Therapist
Bob made this class very interesting and fun. It helps me to focus. I loved learning about the philosophy behind t'ai chi. I feel that I learned how to teach the residents how to have better balance.

Ellen Driscoll, P.T.
I loved the centering. The hands on part were great. P.t.'s learn many techniques - this one is unique in many aspects, but also has a universal appeal like many others

Lauren Holtzman, P.T.
The course was relaxed but well organized. Bob's teaching skills are excellent. I felt more centered and balanced. I couldn't stand on one foot before!!! I can use the relaxation/emptying techniques and breathing techniques for my patients.

Linda Kfoury-House, P.T.
I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and am very grateful for the direct application to patient populations. This will prove very helpful in discussion and application of the research project at the University of MD. The workshop improved my self-awareness of my tension and gave me a routine for stress reduction. The 8Ways, the ideas presented for groups, the general hand contact to improve patients movements without force will be useful for patients with spinal cord injuries and those with orthopedic and neurological impairment.

Amber Hays, Gerontologist
I very much enjoyed the whole experience of the workshop. I felt that I have benefited from it a lot as well as the resident's will. I feel that I have learned how to relax a lot easier and I feel confident that I will be able to help others as well. My resident's need this!! I think it will help them immensely.

Jennifer Beatty, CTRS
I thought this conference was very good. The hands-on and actual demonstrations were very insightful. I have learned a lot and hope to continue to use what I've learned for personal reasons and share with patients and co-workers. The breathing and relaxation exercises will be beneficial for my groups.

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