Chair Chi – Page 2

Be Upright

When I work with residents at aged care centres, running a Chair Chi session, occasionally something special happens that makes it all worthwhile.

The other day I was working with a group of residents and one was resident stooped over in his wheel chair, his back at about a 45 degree angle.

We were focusing on aligning the body vertically and I’m very careful when I teach this technique not to cause pain or aggravate any existing injuries.

I make sure the residents watch my demonstration before they consider attempting the realignment and I always say ‘if you feel any pain stop what you are doing’.

Anyway, this particular resident next to me said he suffered from ‘severe depression’ which he said is one of the reason he stoops. So I gently guided him towards a vertical alignment not expecting much change from his posture, because I’d seen him stooped several times before.

Then an amazing thing happened. As he moved his body this time, he managed to achieve an almost vertical alignment without experiencing any pain. The transformation was incredible! I asked him to work on what he had achieved each day.

Next week I hope he is part of our session again. It will be very interesting to see if he has practiced and whether he can do the alignment again. With encouragement I think he can.

I’ll keep you posted of his progress.

The Johnny Weissmuller Question

By Chris Leave a Comment

A question I ask aged care residents when I’m running a Chair Chi workshop is “Who was Johnny Weissmuller?”

TARZAN 1934 Johnny Weissmuller by LALO VAZQUEZ

Usually one or two will know the answer.

Why ask this question? To stimulate residents’ long term memory and also to get a laugh.

This is how I go about it.

I’ll say, “Now it’s time to do the Johnny Weismuller”. I then ask “Do you know who Johnny Weissmuller was?”

Anyway, Johnny Weissmuller was a champion swimmer and a movie actor famous for his portrayal of Tarzan during the 1930s and 1940s. And when he thumped his chest with his hands and yelled, you knew he was nearby in the jungle.

I get the residents to do a milder version of Tarzan by lightly tapping their chests with their hands … but the yell is optional. Occasionally we get one or two residents who do the Tarzan yell as well. 🙂

So far the funniest response to my question was when one resident smiled and replied, “It’s Mrs Weissmuller’s husband!”

Oh, the Pain … the Pain

By Chris Leave a Comment

One of my favourite quotes from the 1960s American television show, Lost in Space, was uttered by Dr Smith.

He would often cry ‘oh, the pain the pain’ when facing a difficult situation. It always provided me with a good laugh.

But it is not laughable when you are the one suffering pain.

Last year I was running our Aged Care Chair Training Level Two workshop which has a Pain Management component and I received positive feedback from a participant. He also provided me with information about two leading researchers in the area of ‘pain management’ who run conferences called Explain Pain.. Their next conference was scheduled for Christchurch, New Zealand later that year so I decided to attend to learn what the current Western research is on pain management.

While in Christchurch I also took the opportunity to deliver our own first international Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level One workshop after the Ease Pain conference.

Anyway, when I got back from the conference and with the help of my colleague, Sue James, I decided to create a workshop called Ease Pain … the Chi way using practical skills from Tai Chi and Chi Kung (energy work).

This year we launched our first Ease Pain … the Chi way in Sydney and it was well received. We’ve scheduled more workshops in various Victorian Country areas and interstate and I’m looking forward to our next Ease Pain .. the Chi way workshop in Echuca on the 25th of June. Here’s a link to our complete Australian and New Zealand 2018 schedule.

This particular workshop is designed for anyone, not just aged care staff.

So if you find yourself saying ‘Oh, the pain, the pain’ then come along to one of our workshop and learn how to ease the pain.

Chair Chi: Aged Care Training Workshops

By Chris 2 Comments

Well, it’s all happening again.

After a very enjoyable recent road trip to Brisbane and Sydney where I ran our public Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level One and Two workshops and also a Level One onsite workshop for a large aged care centre I’m hitting the road again.

I’m about to fly off to Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Devonport – in that order – in just over a three week period to run our Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level one and Level Two workshops.

And when that’s done I think I’ll retire to the couch and do some couch chi 🙂

Here’s the schedule:

Adelaide: 9, 10
Hobart: 16,17
Perth: 23,24
Devonport: 30 Nov,1 Dec

The first day is Level One with the option of completing Level Two on the second day.

This is an ideal workshop for lifestyle staff, diversional therapists, carers, and physiotherapists

If you are interested in revitalising your residents then book here now so you don’t miss out!

Brisbane: Aged Care Chair Chi Training

By Chris Leave a Comment

We still have some places available for our upcoming Brisbane Chair Chi Aged Care Training on the 17, 18 August.

This is an ideal workshop for aged care lifestyle staff, physiotherapists, diversional therapists, and carers who work with the elderly.

Here are the details:
Fee: $352 (includes GST) per workshop – includes comprehensive work book/manual
Location: Queensland Council of Social Service Ltd (QCOSS) River Tower, Ground floor, 20 Pidgeon Close, West End
Dates: Mon 17 August (Level 1), Tue 18 August (Level 2)

Options
1. Attend Level One workshop
2. Attend Level One and Level Two workshops on consecutive days. To attend Level Two you must complete Level One first.
3. Onsite workshops available – please contact us for details

Feedback from a Recent Workshop
‘Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic – they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor’!
Jennie Guthrie

Registration
Please register here to ensure a place in a workshop/s