Mature Market Experts Gem Of The Day: Exercise And Aging

Maestro — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:48:17 +0000

Maestro David Dworking (right) and Dr. Roger Landry, President of My Masterpiece Living

Mature Market Experts: more news and stats you can use about boomers, seniors, and the mature market – Exercise and Aging – I recently returned from presenting Conductorcise in Texas and California. Every time I visit new venues, I meet the most unbelievable people. I would like to share with you the learning, the joy and the love I experienced in my travels.

I first traveled to Temple, Texas, one hour from Austin. I was met by Kathleen Brown and her husband Rayford, two of the most gracious people I have ever met. Kathleen is a Board Certified Music therapist. She heads the outreach program for the Plummer Movement Disorders Center at the Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Texas A and M.University. The outreach focuses on Parkinson Disease patients.

I was asked to participate in a Parkinson’s disease Day, a day filled with an opportunity to learn and participate in all that has to do with this disease. I began the day with an hour program of Conductorcise to almost 100 Parkinson Disease patients assembled in the auditorium. The audience was made up of very severe cases of Parkinson’s to those in the very beginning stages. At the conclusion of my program, tears came to my eyes as I saw a sea of smiles, motion and wonder. Here were individuals that walking three steps proved a great effort. Controlling shaking was impossible or very difficult and yet they all attempted successfully to move to the music. I was told by Kathleen’s husband, who is very involved in the program, that if they had announced that they would start the day off with an hour of exercise, possibly ten people would have been in attendance. That certainly was not the case. Stretching muscles, activating the brain, allowing joy and laughter to permeate the mind and body proved to be so healing.

The day went on with discussions by physicians, therapists, and social workers and ended with a speech by a gentleman who had Parkinson’s. His name is John Brissette. He wrote a book called “WHAT’S SHAKIN?” on how he conquered the fears of Parkinson’s. He conquered his fears through humor. He spoke in a rapid but clear voice. He mentioned how he described to people how he would be “just the best cocktail shaker” they would ever know. Or how at Christmas, he would always be chosen as the best bell ringer. His capacity to laugh at the realities of the disease made him strong once again. A beautiful man with a most important message. It was a most inspiring visit. I was asked, “Would I be available if another Parkinson’s Day was planned?” I’m sure you all know the answer to that!

I left Texas and was on my way to San Francisco. Lisa Bartlet, Lifestyle coordinator for Pilgrim Haven in Los Altos, CA. met me at the airport.

Pilgrim Haven is a small but wonderful Independent and Assisted Living venue. I believe it housed only 89 residents. Lisa is very special and an advocate of the My Masterpiece Living program. A marvelous, new age, and realistic program for seniors. I am sure at least forty-five to fifty attended the program. All participated enthusiastically and left rejuvenated.

On to Palo Alto, California. Palo Alto is very close to Los Altos.

I was welcomed by Terry Sand, the Lifestyle Director for a fantastic Classic Residence By Hyatt Care Center. I performed for assisted living residents. Again, a marvelous experience. As I waited to do the program, I observed a charismatic gentleman whose name I do not know, who did a program of Chi Gong for these assisted living residents. It was wonderful to observe. His humor, expertise and energy were healing just to watch, so you can imagine what it did for the participants. Terry Sand is a woman of great experience in the theater, as well as a Lifestyle Director. Time after time I meet individuals that are so compassionate and caring. She reached out to me to do the program for her residents and the result was beautiful. If I seem to repeat my words, it is because it is what happens every time I do a program.

Finally, I headed fifty miles North of Palo Alto to Fairfield, California.

This is located thirty miles from the Napa Valley region. A beautiful location amidst rolling hills and close to the vineyards of Napa. Jan Olson is the Fitness Director of Paradise Valley Estates. A very special venue for Independent, Assisted and Nursing care. It is very special for a numberof reasons. 1,2,3,4, etc.

JAN OLSON. A woman of such energy, humor, expertise and caring. The residents love her. Jan asked me to Paradise Valley Estates not only to do the program, but also to certify Paradise Valley Estates as a Certified Conductorcise venue.

They are now doing Conductorcise twice a week and Jan is bouncing and flying around as though she has done the program for years. I presented the conductorcise program to one of the largest audiences I ever had the pleasure of performing for in an Independent Living situation. Numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8 for reasons why PVA is so special is a young lady by the name of Lise Hansen. She is Community Services Manager. The residents are so fortunate to have Lise to arrange so many wonderful trips and happenings. The combination of Jan and Lise would make any venue proud. Paradise Valley Estates is a single Independent venue. It was started a number of years ago by the US Air Force Military. One must have been a member of the military to qualify for residence at PVA. Others may be admitted only by recommendation by one of the residents.

I could go on and on, but have said too much already. One thing stands out in my mind as I travel the country presenting Conductorcise. The benefits for Mind and Body, the physical and the BRAIN are never ending. All participants leave the sessions with renewed energy, a smile on their face and so much more. I have made this statement before. I feel blessed. I have never in all my years of performance have felt the warmth of an audience as I do when performing for Independent, Assisted, nursing, or rehabilitation communities. If you have an interest in becoming a Certified Conductorcise Conductor, you should consider not only the supplementary financial benefits, but the enormous satisfaction of giving something very real and beautiful to Seniors with a great need for physical and mental activity, a feeling of being a part of a family, and an understanding that they are deriving all with a sense of pure joy.

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was one of the foremost poets, scholars, philosophers and meditation masters of the Mahayana, Mahamudra and Great Perfection traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism. He was highly respected by thousands of students in Tibet and throughout the world.

I end with his words:

“To free yourself from harm
And others from their sufferings,
Give away yourself to others,
Guard others as you would protect yourself.”

Peace and Love, Maestro David

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Mature Market Experts Gem Of The Day: Exercise And Aging