Body Recall

Runner Finds Body Recall to be a Surprising Workout

staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:09:21 +0000

Joseph Maina modestly describes himself as being “moderately fit.” He runs 50 to 60 miles per week and puts in at least one hour a day of moderate to hard training.

So when he sat through his first Body Recall lifetime fitness class, he was surprised by the thoroughness of the workout.

“You are not even sweating but it’s hard,” Joseph says. “The exercise is much more than what I expected.”

And what was he expecting?

Joseph Maina

“I thought it would be easy for me because it was tailored toward seniors,” Joseph says.

Joseph is discovering what Body Recall has been teaching for more than 30 years – you don’t have to have pain to gain from exercise, and the program, while originally designed for seniors is beneficial to anyone of any fitness level.

Joseph already knows quite a bit about exercise. He is earning a master’s degree in exercise and wellness from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was a top cross-country runner as an undergraduate and a part-time coach as a graduate student.

He is working as an intern this semester at Body Recall, and went through the training to become a Certified Body Recall Instructor.

“I want to learn more about the benefits of moving the body,” Maina says. “Benefits as far as aging is concerned.”

He is learning that while the orginal idea behind Body Recall was an exercise program for older adults, “it is good exercise for everybody,” Joseph says.

Before attending EKU, Maina earned an associated degree from Butler Community College in Kansas. He grew up in Kenya.

He is not sure what the future holds, he may pursue a doctoral degree, depending upon what other opportunities open up. His Body Recall Instructor Certification will be useful wherever he goes. Instructors can hold classes wherever there is enough space to fit the class. Depending on how many classes an instructor leads, being a Body Recall instructor can provide a part-time or full-time income.

Joseph also is using his Body Recall internship to conduct some research under the direction of Body Recall Executive Director Jeff Rubin.

“Joseph is a delight,” Jeff Rubin says. “My intention was to have Joseph shadow one of our instructors as she conducted her Body Recall classes, and then to participate in the certified Body Recall training. The goal was for Joseph to learn as much as possible about Body Recall and then apply that knowledge to research that compared and contrasted Body Recall as it related to other exercise programs, focusing on three specific areas: programs that cater to a senior audience, programs that included fall prevention or fall recovery, and programs that included intergenerational components, bringing grandparents and grandchildren together.”

Joseph went through Certified Body Recall Instructor training in January. “It was amazing what I could learn in just three days,” he said afterward, adding that the program addresses what he learned in college as the five components of fitness::

Muscular strength
Flexibility
Body composition, such as obesity and body mass
Muscular endurance, specifically the core muscles
Cardio-respiratory endurance

He is continuing to participate in Pat Rogers’ class at Body Recall headquarters.
“That is helping me master the form, so I can become a better Body Recall instructor,” he says.

Wellness Festival An Opportunity to Share Knowledge

staff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:15:23 +0000

Body Recall invites you to share your knowledge and experience on how to live a happy, healthy and productive personal and professional life.

Body Recall is planning, a wellness festival for mid-May in Berea, KY, intended to bring together current and former Body Recall instructors; students; community presenters; and the general public for a day of workshops providing demonstrations and education around the idea of promoting four pillars of health: body, mind, spirit, and social engagement.

The event will also be an opportunity for Body Recall instructors to present their own workshops on a variety of topics related to Body Recall, general health and wellness, or personal and professional growth.

Some topic areas that could be covered include:

Home and personal safety
Field to fork: How where and what you buy can affect your life and health
Family transitions: Adjusting to an empty nest, a growing family or becoming a care-giver
Creating and maintaining connections across generations
Developing habits for lifetime fitness and wellness

Instructors or other organizations interested in participating and presenting should contact Body Recall Executive Director Jeff Rubin at jrubin@bodyrecall.org or call 859-986-2181.

A location and exact date for the event are still to be determined. Watch the Body Recall website, www.bodyrecall.org, for more details.

New Trainers With New Approach at Body Recall

staff — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:26:47 +0000

Several longtime Body Recall instructors have stepped up to offer their expertise and experience to be Body Recall trainers in 2012.

The trainers have diverse backgrounds and represent decades of Body Recall instruction.

The new trainers and other Body Recall instructors have provided their input into a revised training schedule that provides instructional materials to instructor trainees in advance of a two-and-a-half day onsite training program at Body Recall headquarters.

In designing the new approach, Body Recall also took advantage of the insight of newly Certified Body Recall Instructor Alane Mills, whose career includes physical education as well as developing and leading train-the-trainer programs for other professional educators.

Also providing input were Body Recall board members Dr. T. Brock Symons, a professor at the University of Kentucky Center on Gerontology who specializes in rehabilitation services, and Dr. Jerry Palmer, associate professor and acting program director for the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Eastern Kentucky University and a training design expert.

In addition to covering essential concepts, movements and sequences of the Body Recall lifetime fitness program, the new training schedule also covers class set-up, marketing and self-evaluation.

Body Recall has instructor training sessions scheduled for each month of 2012 at Body Recall headquarters in Berea, KY. Other regional trainings will be scheduled based on demand.

“I am convinced that we have a wealth of talent, ability, and passion within our ranks. That ability and passion is at the core of what makes Body Recall so special. Our intention therefore is to create an environment of inclusion and collaboration where we can learn and grow from one another,” Body Recall Executive Director Jeff Rubin said. “I am very pleased with the process that led to our new core of trainers and the approach we used to develop and redesign our new training program. It brought together veterans and new instructors in a free flowing exchange of ideas of what will be needed to provide greater opportunities for existing instructors, recruit new instructors, and fulfill our mission of reaching and serving more people in the advancement of lifetime fitness.”

The Body Recall trainers are:

Anita Patrick

Anita Patrick of Florence, Ala., has been a Body Recall instructor since 1989. She teaches level 1 and level 2 classes as well as for special populations and has achieved Exemplary Instructor status. She studied physical education at the University of North Alabama.

Anita Patrick

Anita was teaching aerobics and playing competitive softball while also doing some volunteer work for a senior care center. That was where she was first introduced to Body Recall. But it wasn’t until Anita, who has scoliosis, suffered a debilitating back injury while playing softball that she started using Body Recall as part of her rehabilitation. When doctors at Vanderbilt University told her she would need surgery and may never be able to run again, she asked to delay scheduling a surgery while she continued to rehab with Body Recall. By following the Body Recall program, she was able to avoid surgery, amaze the doctors with her recovery and return to the softball diamond.

Patrick has been with Body Recall ever since her recovery.

Carolyn Wallace

Carolyn Wallace has been a Certified Body Recall Instructor since 1985. She currently holds an Exemplary Teacher Certification, which reflects loyalty, commitment and a high level of leadership skill in all levels of classes. She has been involved in health fairs, conferences, and workshops, often leading demonstrations with a team of students from her advanced classes. She is certified as a Trainer of Body Recall for Special Populations, a version of the Body Recall program for those with special needs.

Carolyn Wallace

Her educational background (M.A. – Cultural Anthropology from Arizona State University, 1982) has assisted her ability to visualize and organize projects & trainings that make a difference. Her interest & passion has always been focused on health improvement. She has found Body Recall to be an excellent, life-changing program.

Carolyn served on the Board of Directors of Body Recall Inc., from June 2003 through July 2009. She currently serves on the staff of Body Recall, Inc. as Trainer & Program Coordinator for Special Populations.

Sheila Johnson

Sheila Johnson has been teaching Body Recall since 1989 in Northwest Ohio. She has Exemplary Teacher Certification and became a Special Populations trainer in 1991 and has conducted trainings and workshops in hospitals, long-term care centers, retirement communities, Alzheimer and cancer care centers, and mental health facilities throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Sheila Johnson

Sheila spent a decade as the Resident Activities and Volunteer Director at the Sunset House Retirement Community in Toledo, Ohio, where she was introduced to Body Recall in 1989. She has been a lifelong student and teacher of exercise and modern dance, but feels that she truly became a health educator through Body Recall training and teaching, and has been thrilled to share the benefits of movement, health, and wellness with her students.

In addition to her Body Recall classes, Sheila is a certified teacher of Hatha Yoga, and enjoys her role as an assistant teacher of Adapted Dance for children and young adults with Down Syndrome at the Toledo School of Ballet.

Pat Rogers

Pat Rogers has been leading Body Recall classes since 2005 and currently leads the classes taught at headquarters in Berea, KY, as well as other locations. She has her Intermediate Instructors Certification, Smart Moves Certification and Special Populations Certification.

Pat Rogers

Pat was introduced to Body Recall while leading a 4-H group that implemented the Body Recall Smart Moves for Youth program and saw how the program transformed the behavior of some of the students. She later assisted Body Recall founder Dorothy Chrisman in teaching Smart Moves classes.

Pat has been a registered nurse in Kentucky since 1966 and also operates a beef cattle farm.

Alane Mills

Alane Mills brought her background of physical education and training program development to Body Recall in 2011, becoming Certified Instructor and assisting Body Recall with revising and developing its methods of instructor training.

Alane Mills

Alane, of Danville, KY, graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in physical education in 1981 and earned a master’s degree in health administration from EKU in 1983. She taught in alternative education in the Boyle County School District for 15 years, helping to develop the district’s alternative education program. She designed, developed and led a train-the-trainer program for group facilitators within the school district. In 2001, she co-founded a network marketing firm that she and her husband continue to lead. They also operate a cattle farm.

Study: Exercise Can Curb Alzheimer’s Risk

staff — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:39:59 +0000

A recently completed study has shown that people who are at a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease can help reduce that risk through exercise.
The study, first published earlier this month in the Archives of Neurology and reported in the New York Times and elsewhere, was done at the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University in St Louis.
The study of 201 individuals used brain scans, genetic test results and a 10-year history of physical activity as part of its research.
The study showed that moderate physical activity, such as 30-minutes of exercise five times a week, showed only modest benefit to the group overall regarding mental ability. But when looking at those participants carrying a gene that indicates a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, the benefits of exercise on brain function, and the risks of remaining sedentary, proved much greater.
So while exercise is beneficial in many ways, it may be especially important for those at risk of Alzheimer’s to remain active.
Carolyn Wallace, a Body Recall instructor since 1985, has seen the benefits of the program in many Alzheimer’s patients, including her mother.
She has had several students who developed Alzheimers remain in class “as part of this tightly knit community and continued to participate in the classes, without issues. They retained their physical abilities, and were able to stay in their home longer.”
Her mother, Daphne Morrison, whose career was in social work, “was able to cover up her Alzheimers for a good long time. And even in later stages (of Alzheimer’s) is able to obtain the benefits of physical and social activity.”
Unfortunately, the study showed most of the participants in the study to be mostly sedentary. The mission of Body Recall is to help get people moving for a better quality of life.
The full New York Times story may be read here.

Daphne Morrison, center, continued in Body Recall classes after her Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Next Instructor Training Feb. 18-20

staff — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:25:39 +0000

February 18, 2012

February 20, 2012

The next Certified Body Recall Instructor training session will be Feb. 18-20, 2012 at the Body Recall headquarters in Berea, KY.

The 2 1/2 day training is open to potential new instructors and those instructors who want retraining.

People interested in the training should contact Body Recall at 859-986-2181 or e-mail info@bodyrecall.org.

For more detailed information on becoming an instructor, click here.

Training will include:

Training in Body Recall movement and philosophy
Developing lesson plans using the Body Recall text book
Practice teaching, program planning and implementation
Promoting yourself and Body Recall classes

New Instructor Training Approach a Big Success

staff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:22:25 +0000

With the start of the new year, Body Recall successfully launched a new approach to instructor training with a two-and-a-half day on-site training session that brought together first-time trainees as well as Certified Instructors for re-training.

The new approach included training materials sent in advance to the trainees, four trainers who brought different areas of expertise, and evening sessions on how to successfully promote themselves and their Body Recall classes.

“Body Recall did an excellent job of selecting trainers,” said Fred Crump, an instructor for 17 years in Richmond, KY, who came in for retraining. “Each one brings their own expertise to the table.”

Trainer Sheila Johnson provides some one-on-one instruction for Joseph Maina.

With the advance materials, the training session covered just as much material as the previous five-day training sessions, while better accommodating people’s schedules.

The training, from Jan. 14-16, attracted new instructors from Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, and, for the first time, Rhode Island.

“It went very well,” said Molly Owen, of Bella Vista, Ark. She has been a Body Recall student for five years and was motivated to become an instructor to ensure the class she has been attending could continue. “I feel younger today than the first day I was here,” Owen said as the session wrapped up.

The four instructors were Anita Patrick of Florence, Ala.; Sheila Johnson of Toledo, Ohio; and Carolyn Wallace and Pat Rogers, both of whom teach at the Body Recall headquarters. Certified Instructor Alane Mills coordinated the new training format that combines both off-site and on-site instruction.

“I was impressed with the trainees,” said Anita Patrick, who came from Alabama to be one of the instructors.

As the training concluded at midday Monday, Patrick said she was “just sort of blown away,” by the enthusiasm, energy and productivity of the training session.

“The beauty of this new training is to show both current and new instructors what is possible through Body Recall. It combines the best of the old, with the thinking of the new, where people are inspired not only to learn but to share their ideas, creativity, and input,” said Jeff Rubin, Body Recall Executive Director.

The next instructor training session is Feb. 18-20 at the Berea headquarters, with other instructor training sessions scheduled each month in 2012. Rubin is actively recruiting new instructors for Body Recall while encouraging any current instructor eligible for retraining to attend.

Future trainings will use multiple trainers, which provides more time for individual attention and practice teaching than the previous week-long format that was led by one trainer.

“The response to the training was overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by the smiles on the trainees faces, and their enthusiasm for what they had come to Berea to learn,” Rubin said. “We recognize, however, that we are still a work in progress and lessons learned from our inaugural training will continue to be applied as we grow.”

Here is what other members had to say about their training:

Mary Kaye Lyon, Muncie, Ind., said she has gone through about seven retrainings: “I think the format is great, I thought the trainers were great. I was totally happy with it.”

Elaine Matthes, Louisville, KY: “We’ve had four different trainers presenting material and that’s a real gift because we get to see how four different people do it. … It’s been like a wealth of information. They give extra ideas how to do the exercises, how to talk about it, how to share this with your participants. It’s just really rich in that way.”

“This helps me see that everybody brings who they are to it, and it’s a gift, and it’s OK to think, this is my gift and this is how I’m going to do it. That’s been really great.

Larry Bernhard, Richmond, KY, on being evaluated for demonstrating the sequences:

“We had to really learn it, not just follow somebody.”

Cathy Trcalek, Jacksonville, FL: “Having never had the pleasure of being in a Body Recall class, I found the practical info provided by each trainer (as it would appear) in a classroom setting to be invaluable.”

Joseph Maina, Richmond, KY: “Starting the day with some fun exercises was fun … All the instructors were excellent.”

Anne Graff, Lexington, KY: “All four trainers brought a wealth of experience to this retraining. They demonstrated a passion for teaching, an enthusiasm for the benefits of Body Recall and lifetime fitness, and a kindness and supportive spirit that helped energize the participants with both learning the fundamentals better and providing new ideas for teaching.

“The organizational team that compiled the lesson plans, updated the teachers’ manual and re-created the new training format deserve much credit – Body Recall feels like a ‘living stream’ that has moved to provide updated, creative, valuable materials while honoring the source that created this impressive program.”

Front row, left to right: Molly Owen, Anne Graff, Cathy Trcalek, Larry Bernhard, Elaine Matthes. Second row: Fred Crump, Joseph Maina, Tina Perry, Mary Kaye Lyon. Top row: Pat Rogers, Anita Patrick, Jeff Rubin, Carolyn Wallace, Sheila Johnson, Alane Mills.

Study Links Obesity With Risk of Falling

staff — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:45:53 +0000

An old saying goes: “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Now a study shows that bigger people may actually fall more frequently.
A study to set out examine the effect of obesity on the propensity of older adults to fall, sustain a fall-related injury, and the likelihood that their daily living would be disrupted after a fall.
The study published earlier this month by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, concluded that “Obesity appears to be associated with greater risk of falling in older adults,” as well as a higher risk of disruption to daily activities after a fall.
The study showed that existing health problems and chronic conditions also were associated with greater risk of falling and, of those who fell, greater limitations in activities of daily living.
The study included 10,755 participants aged 65 and older for a period of eight years.
Of the participants who fell, 23.1 percent were obese. Among those who didn’t fall, 19.7 percent were obese. The study showed that being heavier increased the chances of falling; with risks increasing with increased weight when compared with normal weight people.
Being underweight was not related to risk of falling, being injured by a fall or limitation after a fall.
The study was conducted by Christine Himes of Syracuse University and Sandra Reynolds of the University of South Florida.
The studly also showed that when obese people are injured, they may be less likely to recover.
“It’s just harder for obese people to recover from injury. They’re going to be in poorer physical shape to begin with,” Himes told the Reuters news agency.
The authors said their study warranted further investigation on obesity and falls and their effect of people’s health and daily living.
Body Recall is proud to have been helping older people with balance, fitness, fall prevention and fall recovery for more than 30 years.

Body Recall in Africa: Moving to Their Music

staff — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:13:31 +0000

Body Recall instructor Lisa Revell introduced Body Recall classes in Ghana while on a mission trip with her family. Here is an update from her husband David Stone on their experience with Body Recall in Africa. To read their original post about using Body Recall as part of their mission, click here.

Body Recall students in Ghana.

Body Recall a la Afrique!

It is another hot day in north Ghana, though all natives would call it cold, it being about 88 degrees by mid-morning. Lisa Revell, my wife and a Body Recall instructor, hops on her bike to travel the 2 miles to see her early patients needing chiropractic care before starting the 9 A.M Body Recall class (Lisa is a retired chiropractor). I, with volunteers Lou and Marilyn, arrive at 9:00 to partake.

As with most things African, we actually get started late at around 9:20, as chairs and benches need to be set up for a class larger than anticipated. The students are mostly women, most past mid sixties, some into their early 80s. The majority of them are no longer capable of hauling large water containers on their heads from the well to their home, though some say they can still make two trips with a bucket in the morning. Lisa stands by with her translator ready to teach!

“Let’s take off our shoes, and put them underneath the bench …sit tall, straight back,…… feet flat on the floor….. “ and then raising the arms, and without verbal directions, the class collectively takes the traditional Body Recall deep breath. Class begins.

I am one of the students, but sometimes divert my attention to admire the focus of other students. I am so struck by the scene that I ’snap’ a few pictures, and even do a bit of video. Like in the USA, it is clear the lesson will do good, as the leaning to the right and left, the raising of legs, and the straight backs all improve as the class progresses.

Body Recall instructor Lisa Revell leads her class.

We start the music …. it is a CD of a Ghanaian musician who just debuted his music. People know it well here, and it is an instant hit for the class! It is sung in Nab’t, a language with fewer than one million speakers, and accompanied by catchy African drumming, They watch Lisa carefully, but now with bright-toothed smiles. Many are starting to add varied gyrations to the movements Lisa makes. The song is long, giving Lisa the idea to start a more impromtu-styled activity. It seems the older and least flexible now become the most creative and happy dancers! It is quite the scene! Lots of laughing and satisfied smiles as the gyrating moves become more enhanced. Everyone, for this moment, is happy in what is going on in their life. Somehow it seems to be the most powerful thing that could happen on this African day, and as the day is now over, I can tell you, that, for me, it was. Body Recall …good for the world.

David Stone

Nov. 25, 2011

You can read more about their work in mission at gone2ghana.com/

Students, Instructor Share Their Success With Body Recall

staff — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:10:18 +0000

In remembering Body Recall founder Dorothy Chrisman, the class of Body Recall instructor Mary Kaye Lyon of Muncie, Ind., offered their thoughts on the impact of the Body Recall program. Here are some of their comments:

Lavenna Putman, age 93:
“Exercise has always been an important part of my life. … When I began getting too tired, about three years ago, I joined a class of Body Recall and I found it the most thorough of any exercise I have ever done. Seeing others work with me is encouraging. The socializing regularly is a real help to me since I live alone. Body Recall is extending my life and helping me to enjoy living.”

Marilyn Jones, age 79:
“I’ve only been in Body Recall a little over a year. It’s the only exercise program I have enjoyed and committed to.”

Fred (age 88) and Eva (age 86) Hillmor:
“Not only the exercise we enjoy but also the wonderful people we interact with.These 15 years of Body Recall have been great.”

Harry (age 87) and Rosalie (age 86) Metzger:
“In September 1998, at our doctor’s suggestion, we began Body Recall. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Thirteen years of excellent exercising has “kept us going,” even though sometimes we’d rather just take it easy and stay home.
We always feel better after we’ve finished the Body Recall class; plus, we’ve made many wonderful friends there, including Linda Beghtel and Mary Kay.”

Mary Kaye Lyon, age 65:
“I have been an instructor for 21 years. I feel it has been one of the best choices in my life. Dorothy was my first trainer — what a privilege! She inspired me with her energy and determination to get people moving. I have loved teaching and associating with the wonderful people who attend our classes. I have seen miracles occur in the lives of many, many people. Hope returns to their lives as they become confident that they can continue to move and remain active.
Dorothy surely lived her life well. I am grateful to have been touched by her determination and inspiration. I am sorry to say good-bye to such a powerful influence for good in the lives of so many.”

Virginia Byer, age 91:
“I’ve enjoyed Body Recall since 1986. I’ve really appreciated this activity and feel it has helped me reach 91 years.

Marty Raisor, age 74:
“I’ve been coming to Body Recall ever since I retired- 2 ½ yrs. I enjoy it very much and am convinced I feel better because of it.”

Carol Love:
“My Mom participated in Body Recall for 17 years. She was convinced that Body Recall kept her walking and out of a wheelchair. Thanks, Body Recall!!”

Vera, age 91:
“It gets me up and going. I can turn my head and body much better; also better coordination. My balance is also better. I’m 91 and have been coming over a year.”

Carol Casazza, age 69:
“Body Recall has kept me moving for the past 9 years. I look forward to exercising with friends. It gets me going and I feel better when I do it.”

Betty Kendall, age 95:
“I have been in Linda’s class for about 12 years. I am able to do about everything I wish to do.

Joe and Kathy Bush:
To Dorothy,
Thank you for an amazing legacy. Without you and your program- many of us would be in much worse physical condition. You Are A Saint!”

Body Recall Adds Information for Potential Instructors

staff — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:40:37 +0000

Interested in becoming a Certified Body Recall Instructor or know someone who would make a great instructor?
Body Recall has added a wealth of information about becoming an instructor under the Become an Instructor link.
The page covers topics including a brief history of Body Recall, frequently asked questions for potential instructors and a new online application form.
Potential instructors can use the form to enroll in any of the scheduled instructor training sessions in 2012.
The staff at Body Recall is still happy to answer any questions you may have by emailing info@bodyrecall.org or calling us at 859-986-2181.