Summer is here and with that comes BBQs, cookouts, outdoor eating, and a need for easy recipes that are quick, light, and transportable so you have good options for your next backyard lunch or afternoon picnic.
COOKING WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: THE ART OF HEALTHY AND EASY ITALIAN COOKING - MAY 26, 2022, 60-minutes
Everyone loves Italian food, right? Pasta, lasagna, pizza are favorites (for good reason) but there's so much more to cook, eat and enjoy. Arash used to live and work (and eat) in Italy so he'll have some insider secrets to share
Asparagus, strawberries, arugula, carrots, peas, rhubarb, artichokes, leafy greens, and fresh herbs, just to name a few, are all in peak form at this time of year. So grab some of spring's finest and join Arash and Shelley in the kitchen to cook it all up!
COOKING WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: Celebrating Persian New Year & Cuisine - March 17, 2022, 67-minutes
Spring is coming! March 21st isn't just the first day of spring, it's also the Persian New Year, or Norouz, which brings a feast of delicious dishes. Don't know what Persian food is? Don't worry, but once you taste it, you're going to want much more of this unique cuisine.
Cooking with Arash & Shelley: making healthy Thai cuisine at home - FEB. 17, 2022, 57-MINUTES
It wasn't long ago when Thai food was little known whereas now, it seems like Pad Thai and Yellow Curry can be found in cities and towns all over the country. But there's so much more to this incredible cuisine than those common dishes.
Cooking with Arash & Shelley: how to celebrate Chinese New Year with healthy Chinese meals - JAN. 20, 2022, 61-MINUTES
Almost two billion people celebrate Chinese (or Lunar) New Year, which falls on February 1st this year. So let's get in the spirit and cook some fun and easy takes inspired by this holiday that's celebrated not only by China but also a number of other East Asian countries.
Pressure injuries & flap surgery: everything you wanted to ask but were afraid to - Nov. 18, 2021, 70-MINUTES
Pressure wounds, pressure sores, bed sores … call them what you want but the whisper of those words send shivers up and down the spine (yes, even an injured spine) of anyone with a spinal cord injury and if you end up facing the prospect of requiring a flap surgery, it is a lengthy and nerve-racking recovery process that sidelines people for many months.
Cooking & Nutrition with Arash & Shelley: making Thanksgiving cooking delicious, healthy & fun - NOVEMBER 16, 2021, 62-MINUTES
If mashed potatoes and candied yams aren't enough for you, join Arash & Shelley as they share their favorite dishes and introduce some new and fresh ideas to make your Thanksgiving delicious, healthy and fun.
Cooking & Nutrition with Arash & Shelley: "Flavors of Fall" - October 28, 2021, 66-minutes
Pumpkin, butternut squash, pomegranate, apples, pears, and so many delicious things to enjoy now as the weather gets cooler. We know pumpkin and apple pie are already favorites, but what are the best savory ways to enjoy the tasty flavors of fall?
Putting it all Together: A Comprehensive Home Exercise Routine for PARAPLEGICS - October 27, 2021, 72-MINUTES
Rach has now taught 16 workshops over the past 16 months and it is time to put it all together into a comprehensive home workout program. We will put it all together into a comprehensive exercise program with an intentional order and flow.
Putting it all Together: A Comprehensive Home Exercise Routine for QUADRIPLEGICS - October 26, 2021, 69-minutes
Rach has now taught 16 workshops over the past 16 months and it is time to put it all together into a comprehensive home workout program. We will put it all together into a comprehensive exercise program with an intentional order and flow.
“Thoracic Rotation: The Importance of Trunk Rotation post SCI” - September 29, 2021, 69-minutes
Thoracic rotation is the rotation of the middle part of your spine. It is the movement that allows you to turn and look over your shoulder or reach something behind you. Improving trunk rotation is an important component of a home exercise program following a spinal cord injury.
Gastrointestinal (GI) issues and considerations for those with SCI - september 28, 2021, 69-minutes
We'll have an overview of the GI system, mouth to rectum, discuss the gut microbiota and dive into specifics pertaining to those with spinal cord injuries.
COOKING WITH ARASH: Stir Frying & Wok Cooking from your wheelchair - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021, 62-minutes
Don't have a wok? Never made stir fry? Don't worry, it's all about applying the principles of fast, fresh, one-pan cooking to whatever you want to make.
COOKING WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: Packed Lunches and Meals on the Go - August 26, 2021, 70-minutes
Eating healthy is easier when you're at home, but how do you pack lunches and meals that are delicious, travel well and easy to assemble – and more exciting than a PB&J or a soggy cold cut sandwich? In their next session, Shelley and Arash will team up to talk about quick and easy meals to put together ahead of time and that can survive the day in your car, backpack, car ride or outing.
Myofascial Meridians: Building Connections Between Muscles After Paralysis - August 25, 2021, 70-minutes
In this workshop, Rach will teach you about the 12 myofascial meridians including how to identify which meridians are most relevant to you and your goals. Rach will also teach you how to use the myofascial meridians to connect to areas of your body that you do not have a connection (or access) to.
COOKING WITH ARASH: Beat the Summer heat with some tasty hot weather dishes - July 29, 2021, 65-MINUTES
It’s the peak of summer, which means it’s time to make the most of the season’s bounty (did someone say tomatoes??!) and make some tasty hot weather dishes.
Learn How to Strengthen the “Sleepy” Side of your Spinal Cord Injury Body - July 28, 2021, 73-minutes
Following a spinal cord injury, it is very common that one side of the body is affected more than the other side. Often, the “weaker” side (or “sleepier” side as Rach likes to call it), is not only harder to connect to, it can also have decreased awareness and sensation.
DIABETES MANAGEMENT WITH CONSIDERATION FOR THOSE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY - JULY 27, 2021, 51-minutes
For people with spinal cord injury, recognizing symptoms of diabetes can be difficult because changes to the body after SCI may make it difficult to identify. Which is why we’re happy that Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, tackles this important topic that requires your attention.
COOKING & NUTRITION WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: Making tasty & healthy Sauces, Salsas, Dressings and Herbs - june 24, 2021, 71-minutes
Who likes flavorful food? Everyone, we'd hope! A great way to add flavor, freshness AND nutrition to your food is to learn the basics of making tasty sauces, salsas, dressings and herbs. What components do you have to include to make a tasty sauce (hint: acid and fat are two of them)? How can you make the most of summer's bounty to add unique flavor to your food? And how do you make it all HEALTHY?
Part 2: No more knots - Back and Hip Self-Release Techniques for those with SCI - June 17, 2021, 77-minutes
Rachel Kahn is back to take you through a full upper, middle, and lower back release as well as a release for the front of the hip to help decompress and lengthen the most restricted areas.
COOKING & NUTRITION WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: Breakfast of Champions ideas for those with SCI - may 27, 2021, 66-minutes
Rise and shine! Breakfast is the next topic to tackle for Shelley and Arash as they tag team the tastiest ways to prep and enjoy what many call the most important meal of the day. Arash will focus on easy recipes and time-saving tricks and Shelley will share her wealth of knowledge on the nutrients to eat (and what to avoid) to start your day off right. You will learn ways to prepare in advance various tasty & nutritious breakfast meals that you can then enjoy on any given morning.
Incorporating Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in your home exercise program - may 22, 2021, 72-minutes
In the 6th and final presentation on electrical stimulation, we will discuss how to incorporate neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) into activities of daily living and already existing home exercise programs. We will give some examples and options for using NMES during activities that may already be taking place during your daily routine. Examples will be provided for activities performed while laying down, sitting and standing.
No More Knots: Self Release Techniques for those with SCI - May 13, 2021, 76-minutes
Do your muscles ever feel tight or restricted? Do you feel like your neck or shoulders have a limited range of motion? Do you like massages?! Then this workshop is for you! Join Rachel to learn how you can use self-release techniques to calm your nervous system, release tension in your body, increase the range of motion of your joints, and move with more ease and freedom!
COOKING WITH ARASH & SHELLEY: Spring dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients - April 29, 2021, 64-minutes
Spring has arrived and it's time to enjoy the bounty of all the tasty spring produce. If you've watched any of Shelley or Arash's sessions, you know we are all about eating with the seasons. Not only do fruits and vegetables taste SO much better, you get more of the nutrients from something grown locally and in the proper season, instead of shipped to you from around the globe.
Experiencing chronic pain after SCI? How mindfulness can help you reclaim your life - april 27, 2021, 60-minutes
Chronic pain is the monster that steals hearts and souls and impacts every aspect of life for a person with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Chronic pain never sleeps or rests. There is only bad or worse. Our presenters have developed a revolutionary approach to living and thriving with chronic pain. Validated by scientific studies, they employ mindfulness as a foundation to physically change a pain sufferer’s brain, patterns of behavior and most importantly, the relationship with pain.
Learn how Your Hands and Feet Affect Movement after a spinal cord injury - April 15, 2021, 66-minutes
We can always count on strength and conditioning trainer, Rachel Kahn, to open our eyes to the unusual connections within our body and how they relate to movement. This workshop is about caring for, mobilizing, and strengthening the hands and feet following a spinal cord injury.
Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy via Zoom for Chronic SCI Pain - april 6, 2021, 60-minutes
Dr. Charles Bombardier, a clinical psychologist and professor and head of the Rehabilitation Psychology Division in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, addresses chronic pain in those with spinal cord injuries and how cognitive therapy plus hypnosis can be a potential non-medicinal solution to one of the most common and concerning aspects of spinal cord injury (SCI).
Use & benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) after a spinal cord injury - March 27, 2021, 72-minutes
In this session, we will discuss Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). FES involves the application of electrical stimulation to a variety of muscle groups during a functional task such as riding an arm or leg cycle.
Wheelchair user and foodie, Arash Bayatmakou, is going to talk about some of his favorite ways to enjoy Mexican dishes at home, and how to make them healthier and better suited for your nutritional needs than what you would get from eating out.
In this session, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, discusses the most current fad diets - what they are, what they promise, and the health implications behind them (short term and long term).
Are you a paraplegic and looking for a full upper body and core workout from your wheelchair without all the fuss or fancy equipment? Then this class is for you! A simple set of resistance bands can go a long way. Rachel will teach 15-20 exercises with multiple variations, progressions, and modifications.
FOR QUADRIPLEGICS: Using resistance bands to exercise your Full Upper Body and Core - MARCH 16, 2021, 72-MINUTES
Are you looking for a full upper body and core workout from your wheelchair without all the fuss or fancy equipment? Then this class is for you! A simple set of resistance bands can go a long way. Rachel will teach 15-20 exercises with multiple variations, progressions, and modifications.
Use of electrical stimulation in SCI to maintain, improve range of motion & strength - Feb. 27, 2021, 80-minutes
This class will cover how Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) generates deep electrical impulses that allow for muscle contraction, helping to maintain or improve muscle length and strength following a spinal cord injury.
MAKING COMFORT FOOD: Shelley & Arash in first-ever cooking healthy meals collaboration - february 25, 2021, 68-minutes
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, and Chef in a Wheelchair, Arash Bayatmakou, are hosting a presentation that brings the education and research behind food into reality of a kitchen that you can learn and enjoy preparing nutritious and tasty meals from your wheelchair. Given that it’s winter, they have chosen “Comfort Food” as the starting point theme for their collaboration.
Strong Neck, Strong Core following a Spinal Cord Injury - February 18, 2021, 85-minutes
In this installment of “NorCal SCI Presents: Virtual is the New Reality Series”, Rachel will discuss the important structures in the neck, areas and movements to be mindful of (especially if you have cervical hardware), and how to safely strengthen your neck. She will then discuss how strengthening and stabilizing the neck can play a big role in connecting to and strengthening the core.
COOKING WITH ARASH: Healthy & Tasty approaches to using fats in cooking - January 28, 2021, 63-minutes
Fat. Will eating it make you gain weight? HINT: the answer is unequivocally YES, so don't believe the Keto hype. Fat is an essential element in the kitchen, so how do we use it effectively, minimally and deliciously to eat healthy? What kinds of fat go into what kinds of food? Do you need a bunch of different kinds of fat in order to be an effective home cook?
THE ROLE OF FAT IN A HEALTHY DIET FOLLOWING A SPINAL CORD INJURY - JANUARY 26, 2021, 47-minutes
Fat. What is it, how much do we need and how does our body process it, especially following a spinal cord injury? Registered Dietitian, Shelley Wood, will review weight management recommendations when it comes to incorporating fat into a healthy diet and will summarize all of the nutrients she has discussed in her past several presentations with emphasis on caloric density.
Electrical Stimulation for Pain Management and Hypersensitivity - january 23, 2021, 65-minutes
Over 60% of those with a spinal cord injury experience chronic pain, most resorting to medications in order to seek some relief with hit and miss results. Physical Therapist and truly an expert in the use of Electrical Stimulation, Jennifer Kapetanic, shares her knowledge and experience on how the use of electrical stimulation can help with pain management using a TENS device that she considers as the best option.
STRENGTHENING YOUR CORE FOLLOWING A SPINAL CORD INJURY - JANUARY 21, 2021, 73-MINUTES
Where the hell did my core go? What is core stability and why is it important? What does it take to establish a connection to your core? Those are all the frustrating questions we often ask ourselves, and our therapists, following SCI but rarely get a straight answer.
FRUITS & SUPPLEMENTS: EATING RIGHT AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY - DECEMBER 17, 2020, 65-MINUTES
With years of experience working with the spinal cord injury population, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, will tackle the misunderstood “Role of Fruits and Supplements in a Spinal Cord Injured Body”. While most fruit is low in starch, they could be high in sugar and carbs. However, attempting to replace their nutrition with supplements is where it starts to get tricky and Shelley plans on explaining how to keep the use of supplements to a minimum and introduce the right fruits to your diet.
COOKING WITH ARASH: WHEELCHAIR USER DEMONSTRATES COOKING WITH VEGETABLES - DECEMBER 15, 2020, 65-minutes
In this lively and engaging session, you can expect wheelchair user, Arash Bayatmakou, to discuss the many ways vegetables can be incorporated into your everyday diet as well as sharing a few of his favorite vegetables and recipes, why he likes them and discuss the versatility with different style of cooking they offer, and of course, a couple of recipes that he’ll prepare during the session.
HOW TO STABILIZE & MOBILIZE YOUR SHOULDERS AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY - DECEMBER 13, 2020, 94-MINUTES
During this session, Rachel Kahn, a Pilates teacher, will talk about shoulder anatomy, the importance of proper shoulder alignment, and how shoulder movement actually starts from your back and chest. She will also discuss the rotator cuff, shoulder stability versus shoulder mobility, and how to maintain healthy shoulders. Rachel will then take you through a series of exercises to help stabilize and then mobilize your shoulder.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CHALLENGE FOR FLOOR/BED-BASED MOVEMENT SEQUENCE, DECEMBER 10, 2020, 66-minutes
Working and moving on the floor is an important component of exercise and recovery programs after SCI because it offers a unique opportunity to explore your true abilities. There is no equipment holding you back, or any helper giving you a false sense of function. In this class, Pilates teacher Stephanie Comella, will guide you through a floor- (or bed-) based Pilates and movement sequence specific for SCI athletes who are looking for the next level of challenges.
INTRODUCTION TO FLOOR/BED-BASED MOVEMENT SEQUENCES - December 8, 2020 - 68-minutes
In this virtual class, Pilates teacher, Stephanie Comella, will guide you through a floor- (or bed-) based Pilates and movement sequence specific for SCI athletes who have little to no experience with floor movements, or for those looking to start at the very beginning. Together, you will be exploring your “kinesphere” (defined in the class) to expand your curiosity and possibility of self-supported movement.
SPASTICITY IN SPINAL CORD INJURIES - DECEMBER 3, 2020 - 75-minutes
Spasticity affects 65% - 78% of those with a spinal cord injury where it is more common in cervical than thoracic and lumbar injuries. For many, it’s extremely disruptive to their well being, often requiring significant pharmaceutical intervention. But there are many aspects of spasticity and how to control it that are misunderstood.
Carbs, Vegetables and Spinal Cord Injuries - november 24, 2020 - 58-minutes
In this presentation, noted Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, takes a deep dive to help unravel the relationship between carbohydrates and vegetables in her second presentation on the topic of carbs as she will discuss how much we need, how much is too much, how much is too little while also addressing fiber in depth as well as organics and phytonutrients.
Chef in a Wheelchair Part 3: Cooking with Whole Grains - November 19, 2020, 60-minutes
In this lively and engaging session, you can expect Arash, who has a C5-6 SCI, to discuss the one, primary way of cooking and preparing pretty much any whole grain as well as a few of his favorite whole grains, why he likes them, versatility with different style of cooking, and of course, a couple of recipes that he’ll prepare during the session.
Getting Horizontal to Get Vertical (Floor/Bed-based movement), November 14, 2020, 65-minutes
Just as babies learn to first lift their heads up, then rollover, sit up, crawl, and eventually walk, people with spinal cord injuries can relearn these same movement patterns. And that’s what our workshop instructor, Rachel Kahn, discussed in how the nervous system works to rewire a movement pattern.
Exploring whole-body participation after paralysis, November 12, 2020, 67-minutes
We all want to move: better, bigger, more confidently and more efficiently. But have you ever thought about how important the ‘non-moving’ areas of the body are in this pursuit? How does stability in one area of the body contribute to movement in other areas? It’s really just basic physics, applied to the human body.
Rediscovering intimacy & pleasure after a spinal cord injury - October 30, 2020, 75-minutes
Whether you’re currently a couple or are curious how to handle a future relationship, Rafe and Lisa will share: Communication including a role play • Dating with a spinal cord injury • Sexuality for married couples with SCI • Toys to use during sex • Oral sex • Using the five senses • Energetic sex
Your bladder following a spinal cord injury - October 29, 2020, 92-minutes
Call bladder management following a spinal cord injury a top three challenge for many members of the SCI community. We’re pleased to bring you one of the brightest and most experienced urologists working with the SCI population, Dr. Christopher Elliott, who will lead a virtual presentation around bladder management. Among the topics to be addressed are UTIs, medical and surgical interventions especially for leaky bladders, and overall review of steps to better care for your bladder.
Whole Grains / Carbohydrates & Spinal Cord Injuries - October 28, 2020
The impact of carbs to the body of a person with a spinal cord injury is always misunderstood. In gyms, you used to hear about “loading up on carbs”. Equally misunderstood is the types of grains you come across, some healthier than others and it will all begin to make sense if you were to attend this virtual presentation led by Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood.
Sexual health for men after a spinal cord injury - October 27, 2020, 64-minutes
It’s one of the least-covered topics during a newly-injured person’s stay during their rehab following a spinal cord injury and, depending on where you did your rehab, you may not even get any training or discussion about sexuality after SCI.
Women with Spinal Cord Injuries rediscovering intimacy & pleasure - October 26, 2020, 58-minutes
Led by Lisa Skye Carle, an Occupational Therapist, Sexual Health Clinician, and founder of Women's Intimacy After Injury Community. Lisa will share how there’s more to sex than intercourse and genital orgasm, how there is more to sex than just returning to the way it was before, utilizing your five senses that would enhance your pleasure, and identifying new areas in your body that could help achieve orgasm.
“The Vestibular System: Nervous System Training for Movement Efficiency” - October 24, 2020, 65-minutes
Getting movement into your day to day routine is a powerful tool to keep you healthy and increase your strength, mobility, and independence. When you are able to combine movement with training your nervous system, your body can integrate the results in a more embodied way.
SETTING UP YOUR HOME GYM FOR LESS THAN $50 - OCTOBER 22, 2020, 58-MINUTES
In this presentation, Pilates teacher. Stephanie Comella, will show you how you can equip your space with four small, yet versatile, must-have home gym pieces, all for less than $50!
Chef in a Wheelchair Part 2: foodie with SCI to demo Protein-based cooking - October 15, 2020. 63-MINUTES
Protein is the buzzword of all buzzwords in the food world, but do you know the best ways to cook it and eat it? How can you make sure you're getting enough of it, but not missing out on other vital nutrients, essential to a body recovering from SCI?
PURSUING & MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY - OCT. 2, 2020. 48-MINUTES
Are you interested in pursuing and maintaining employment after a spinal cord injury? You do not have to do it alone or reinvent the wheel trying to figure it all out. No matter where you are at within your employment journey, there is something that you can learn and do to better your future.
Current & Future of Epidural Stimulation Clinical Trials in U.S. For Spinal Cord Injury - September 30, 2020, 65-minutes
Dr. Susan Harkema, the renowned researcher who has been championing the use of Epidural Stimulation to improve function in those with a spinal cord injury, was part of an exclusive presentation in order to provide an update on the clinical trials she’s currently working on, the future applications of Epidural Stimulation and answer questions from the audience.
How Are Your Eyes Related to Your Movement? Improving Movement through Sensory Input - September 26, 2020, 60-minutes
When it comes to movement, the brain has three main functions. It receives sensory input, decides what to do and then creates a motor output, or movement. The visual system is one of the most important and most overlooked sensory inputs when it comes to movement.
Practical Posture for SCI, part 2: strategies and exercises for an upright spine - Sept. 24, 2020, 60-minutes
You’ve probably been told more than once in your life to “sit up tall” or “stop slouching.” After paralyzing injury, simply sitting - let alone sitting up tall - can be quite challenging. But striving for better posture is not only better for our spine, but also our nerves, organs, movement efficiency and psyche.
Upper Extremity Exoskeleton therapies for quadriplegics? - September 23, 2020, 42-minutes
The use of Exoskeleton has been available for quite some time though, for the most, only for gait training and mobility purposes mostly for paraplegics. Now comes an Austin-based company, Harmonic Bionics, that wants to take the concept of Exoskeleton and apply it to help improve upper extremity rehabilitation therapies for quadriplegics and stroke survivors.
Electrical Stimulation devices and how to use them with a Spinal Cord Injury - September 19, 2020, 72-minutes
In the second session of the series on electrical stimulation, we will discuss the 3 most common types of superficial electrical stimulation Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Neuromuscluar Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). We will discuss each device including the primary function and benefits, purchase and insurance options and basic modes and features to look for when choosing a specific device.
Protein consumption following a Spinal Cord Injury - September 16, 2020, 66-minutes
This session will break down what protein is and how our body processes it. It will cover recent research and discuss how much protein is appropriate for those with SCI as well as review risks for too much or too little. Finally, there will be a comprehensive review of different protein sources, with a focus on including healthy alternatives in your diet from a weight management and an overall health perspective.
Pain Management Following A Spinal Cord Injury - August 27, 2020, 72-minuteS
Pain is very common after SCI and improved treatment of pain after SCI has consistently been reported to be a top priority among people living with SCI. Pain affects quality of life, function, sleep, mood, productivity and possibly even longevity. Effective treatment of pain after SCI is therefore critically important. In her talk, Dr. Elissa Zakrasek will briefly describe different kinds of pain that people may experience after SCI and possible causes and explanations for each of these pain types. She will discuss the ways that other body systems and mood can affect the overall severity and experience of pain.
Cooking with Arash: Showcasing SCI man’s passion for cooking - August 26, 2020, 67-minuteS
Don’t let his C5-6 incomplete spinal cord injury fool you. Berkeley resident, Arash Bayatmakou, loves to cook and hasn’t let his wheelchair get in the way of his passion for healthy eating mixed with some adventurous cooking strategies. In this session, Arash will show you kitchen basics, grocery essentials and tips and tricks for SCI-enabled cooking.
Daily Dose of Stretching - Range of Motion and Stretching for SCI - August 22, 2020 - 66-minuteS
You have a spinal cord injury and you know darn well stretching is incredibly important and valuable. But why is it so difficult to develop a routine that works and makes sense for you? In this class, Rachel and Erin will discuss posture, spasticity, and how to perform a daily stretching routine for all injury levels. The session will cover how to find your proper alignment and positioning for the most optimal stretch.
Practical Posture: understanding the shape of your spine for wheelchair users - August 20, 2020, 60-minuteS
In this class, you’ll learn a bit about spinal anatomy and optimal alignments. Stephanie will also break down some of the more common postures specific to individuals with spinal cord injury - what they are and why they happen.
What is Electrical Stimulation and how can it be used effectively following a spinal cord injury? - August 15, 2020, 57-minutes
Physical Therapist Jennifer Kapetanic shares various applications of electrical stimulation for persons with SCI. In this session, she introduces the function of muscle contraction, normal and post-SCI, identify the various ways electrical stimulation may benefit those with SCI as well as highlighting the safety precautions one must take.
"Nutrition & SCI": Introduction to a healthy diet for those with a spinal cord injury - July 29, 2020. 54-minuteS
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shelley Wood, introduces you to a healthy diet and what it looks like and the benefits it delivers. She addresses and break down all the fad diets as well as the unknown damage from food restrictions such as the Keto diet. If you truly care about your overall health (and weight), Shelley’s sessions should not be missed.
“REVITALIZING RESET” - MINDFUL MOVEMENT, MEDITATION AND SELF-RELEASE TECHNIQUES FOR SCI - JULY 25, 2020. 65-MINUTES
Rachel and Erin discuss how meditation and mindfulness play important roles in body awareness, addressing compensatory patterns and everyday movement. This includes tools and tips on how to increase your body awareness and how to perform simple kinds of meditation to calm and reset your nervous system and your breath.
"Pilates for Paralysis: what can ‘Pilates’ do for me?" - July 23, 2020. 62-minute
Stephanie introduces the Pilates method and how it differs from other movement forms - yoga, meditation, weight training. Specifically, you’ll experience how the Pilates principles of control, concentration, whole-body integration (and more) create more movement, comfort and efficiency after paralyzing injury. Whether you’re a C1 or S1 level injury, you can benefit from her teachings.
Nerve Transfer for Tetraplegia Clinical Trials - July 17, 2020. 52-minutes
An ambitious clinical trial has launched at seven U.S. and Canadian university hospitals with the goal of enrolling 70 persons with C4-C8 complete spinal cord injuries, who have experienced no arm or hand function, as part of a Nerve Transfer study for those who are 3 months to 36 months post injury.
Colostomy & Spinal Cord Injury - July 16, 2020. 59-minutes
For many individuals with a spinal cord injury, their Bowel Management program could be a nightmare scenario, whether you're newly-injured or a veteran of SCI. One potential solution, a Colostomy procedure, has come a long way, yet there is a lot of misconception and mystery around it and Dr. Kazuko Shem addressed this topic and helped demystify it for those who have just about had it with their current bowel management routine.