Moving to Live Instructors
Brenda Mazanec
Fitness Therapy
DAYS: Every Wednesday
TIME: 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Movement Connection, 430 N. Franklin, Colby
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Owner of The Movement Connection in downtown Colby, Brenda has a strong passion for providing a positive, supportive, active environment while also promoting wellness, fitness and nutrition.
In addition to being a certified Parkinson Wellness Recovery Instructor, over the past 20 years, Brenda has fostered a commitment to researching the connection between movement and the human development.
Brenda holds bachelor degrees in Health/Physical Education, Family & Consumer Science, and Vocational Family & Consumer Science from Panhandle State University. Additionally, she is certified in infant massage, reflexology, and Reiki, just to name a few. We are thrilled to welcome Brenda's expertise to the Moving to Live program by offering her high quality classes every Wednesday morning.
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Specifically, Brenda will offer PWR! Moves, a specialized Parkinson exercise program that will help patients of PD restore and maintain skills that deteriorate over time.
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Jeanne Cox
Art Therapy
DAYS: Second Wednesday of the Month
TIME: 11 a.m.
WHERE: The Movement Connection, 430 N. Franklin, Colby
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Art therapy is known to have a profound impact on patients of PD. Even if you haven't picked up a paint brush since grade school, art therapy can improve physical, psychological and social functioning. Some symptoms that can improve with art therapy include tremors, freezing and the involuntary ability to move, impaired speech, isolation and depression. Because art therapy introduces novel motions that are not part of everyday life, your body becomes conditioned to operate less on autopilot.
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An experienced instructor with a bachelor's degree in Art and a minor in Business Administration, Jeanne Cox enjoys working with students of all ages. Creative and action-oriented, Parkinson's Families is honored to welcome her to the program, offering art therapy classes once per month.
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Jeanne has almost 40 years of experience training and teaching. And, she has spent the last 30 years as a ceramics instructor at Colby Community College, both for traditional college students and for the community at-large.
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Art therapy is known to have a profound impact on patients of PD. Even those who haven't picked up a paint brush since grade school can improve physical, psychological and social functioning. Some symptoms that can improve with art therapy include the frequency and strength of tremors, involuntary movements, freezing, and impaired speech. Because art therapy introduces novel motions that are not part of everyday life, your body becomes less conditioned to operate on autopilot, and builds new neural pathways for improved mobiity and communication.
Jerrilee Shuman
Music Therapy
DAYS: Fourth Wednesday of the Month
TIME: 11 a.m.
WHERE: The Movement Connection, 430 N. Franklin, Colby
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Jerrilee received her Bachelor of Music Education in 1977 and completed a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in 1980, both from Emporia State University. For the past 42 years, she has taught music to children in elementary through high school and is the recipient of many notable awards and achievements, including Outstanding Music Educator Award for the KMEA Northwest District.
Known to have a profound impact on the lives of patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease, Moving to Live program coordinators are excited to share Jerrilee's knowledge and experience. She agrees the benefit of music and movement is best repeated to help develop rhythmic fluency and encourages participants to check out instruments to continue therapy at home.
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Symptoms reported to improve with music therapy include balance, the ability to articulate and swallow, and improved cognitive functions.
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