Apr 23rd, 2016

Category: Thoughts & Motivation

Juir Matisoo…………a true inspiration and motivator.

 

I would would like to acknowledge Juri Matisoo as my featured client of the month of May.

As Juri Matisoo’s trainer, I am everyday inspired and motivated to bring my best, to do my best, and to rise above every expectation expected of me, to design and implement an innovative wellness program for Juri.  I do this, because this is what Juri does for himself in return.  He is a true inspiration, and is dedicated to utilize every avenue of wellness in his drive to “live better” within his body as he faces head on, a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement, known as Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement and coordination.  Juri “faces, head on”, Parkinson’s disease every day, incorporating a flexibility program to aid in the “rigidity” or stiffness of his limbs and trunk. He has been a true warrior, accepting a rolling pin as a tool to manipulate his lower extremities, by breaking up his over tight “fascial web”, to allow for “proper muscle slide” within the fascia.  He is utilizing the “Soma System”, developed by Roman Torgovitsky, Ph.D. for muscle tension release, that was developed for people to overcome war trauma and improve sleep and muscle tension.  Juri is also utilizing “the amazing tennis ball”, learning how to erase pain, improve mobility and “The BioMechanics Method”; all teachings that I have been exposed to by Justin Price and Jill Miller.  Because impaired balance and coordination are effects of Parkinson’s, Juri does large dynamic muscle movements, which are becoming more attainable daily.

When I first met Juri, a few months ago, he spent most of his day seated, he did not enjoy moving, as he was not very comfortable in his body.  He had a difficult time with his mobility and the control and movement of his muscles.  Even the luxury of speaking was becoming labored.  With that, he drooled.

As Juri progresses in his “wellness program”, he is becoming stronger in every avenue and my “drool” towel is no longer needed.

Juri has collages of photos throughout his home where he is encouraged to do specific exercises, to remind him daily, that it is the little bit done daily that adds up to the “greater whole”.  I have designed a flexibility program for Juri, that his whole “family team” encourages him to execute daily.  He has movements taped on his wall, next to his bed.  I have placed photos of stretches next to his bathroom sink, that he is encouraged to do every time he is at his sink.  There are reminders strategically placed where Juri travels or is seated within his home.  With a rolling pin, or tennis ball  appropriately placed within a convenient reach. 😉

I shout out to Michele for allowing me to tape up your walls with my “prompts”.

Juri now asks to go onto walks and he is motivated to move.  He is able now to safely get himself up and out of a chair, where he will take it upon himself to move.  He can now move his head from side to side and is beginning his ability to retract his head, with his goal being to keep his head stacked over his spine.

He is now able to do what he loves, and that is to read.  He can now, hold a book, hold his head, and is reading like a “beast”.  My next goal…….he loves ping pong……….. hand eye coordination, trunk rotation, lever movements and then……………we have ourselves a game of ping pong.

When it comes to flexibility, which in turn yields to greater mobility, I inspire to teach that it is consistency that adds up to increased flexibility.  Think of it like brushing your teeth; when done daily, it keeps the tar level down.  Flexibility Conditioning; when done daily, has the potential to increase elasticity within the muscle, which can lead to increased mobility at the joint, which in turn can increase stability and balance.  When the body is no longer over tight, our movements are no longer restricted.

Juri Matisoo is an amazing individual.  Every session, he is open to my encouragement; he gives me 100% and in turn gives his “well being” a 1000% return.  My day is complete, when he, “reaches his head to the stars, holds my pencil between his shoulder blades, drops his shoulders away from his ears, swings his arms as he walks and takes the bend out of his knees”.

There is nothing more rewarding, than bringing his eyes  back to life, to where  brightness and the amazing blue sparkle like the sea and he gives me that sweet smile and says, “thank you sweetie”.

THANK YOU, Juri, for your amazing spirit and determination.

 

With much admiration and respect,

Kirsten