By Bruce Van Horn Yoga Therapist

Many people leave rehabilitation only to return later with the same problem or other serious health issues. Many Americans especially seniors are ignorant of preventative health choices and are immobilized by their health challenges.  My experience with an autoimmune disease and my father’s struggle with Depression and then Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s led me on a journey to blend Western Medicine with the Eastern Healing Arts.  For my own personal health I have found that Western Medicine in conjunction with the Eastern Healing Arts helps me to strengthen my immune system, thereby reducing relapses and flare-ups. In the professional healthcare setting I have develop solutions in both eldercare and rehabilitation.  At the Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital I teach a class I call Yomenco for Recovery and Rehabilitation that creates community by honoring our health challenges and viewing them as a positive, an opportunity to consider more positive holistic approaches to wellness. By blending Dance Movement with the ancient Eastern Healing Arts and Western Science we can empower patients, especially seniors to partner in their health and wellness.  There is a great deal of wisdom in the body.  We need to listen to the body, and get silent so we can begin to sense our inner divinity. We have found that the patients in these programs have recognized improved health in many areas including; breathing, sleep, emotional well-being and enhanced balance.  Here are a few stories from the participants in the program who describe the benefits of our unique program.

Barbara Damiani

These past several years have been difficult with regard to my health.  Five years ago I was told I had a heart condition and subsequently I had 2 heart attacks.  A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, which required surgery and radiation.  All of my physicians recommended various types of exercises and to strengthen my body as well as my mind.  Members of my immediate family including my husband and daughter are also facing health challenges. When I first visited my Radiation Oncologist she asked if I ever considered Yoga to help with stress and relaxation and to clear my mind.  At her recommendation I began to take the Yoga for Recovery and Rehabilitation at the Helen Hayes Hospital.  I have to agree that it was some of the best advice I ever received.  I enjoy the class and have begun to practice the techniques even outside of class when I feel stressed.  Yoga in conjunction with physical exercise has given me a stronger healthier outlook on my well-being.

Jane Shulein

I have always defined myself as the consummate coach potato.  I would look at the women running at the fitness centers and think they must be crazy.  But here I am at the Helen Hayes Hospital and I have to say this is the best thing that has happened to me both physically, mentally and spiritually.  Perhaps the Yoga hasn’t solved all my health problems but it gives my tools to improve my health, to partner with the healthcare providers and a community of others facing similar challenges.  I’ve even noticed a change in my attitude toward my son’s lifestyle choices including his Peace Corp service.  Who would have thought?

Ellen Gabriel 

I have to say most of my problems are self created, my daughter who is a Chiropractor tells me that my weight and attachment to pasta and carbs is causing major problems for my hips and spine.  I’ve had a hip replacement and need another and my spinal disks are in really bad shape.  The Yoga class at the Helen Hayes Hospital helps me to move a little bit but it also gives me a community and support to look at my attachments (lasagna) and live more consciously so perhaps I can control these things and eat less.  More broccoli please.

Matt Casteluccio

I am the Director of the Yoga for Recovery and Rehabilitation at the Helen Hayes Hospital.  I myself had a major motorcycle accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down.  When you have a major health challenge your life is transformed and the old you dies and a new you is born. I sort of like the new me better, he’s more compassionate, considerate, and present.  People going through rehabilitation often times have to come to terms with this life change and let go of the old person so the new person can emerge. Personally  I find the class relaxing and it provides group camaraderie.  This program creates a community of people facing different but similar health challenges.  I find that the program gives support especially on those difficult days when people need support and compassion from others.  I find that the program really helps participants better manage stress, as health challenges are stressful, I should know.  The breathing exercises are great they help me calm down and take better control of my emotional states.

Holly Franchino

Although I may never fully recuperate from all my surgeries Yoga gives me a sense of involvement.  Basically if I can participate in this gentle yoga class I avoid isolation and trust God’s plan’s for my life.  I am grateful that God has helped with my daughter’s brain tumor which is now in remission.  I’m aware that I’m taking lots of medications that have toxic side effects and I need more surgeries that all have side effects and limitations but this class helps me to be grateful just for the present moment.  I’ll take things one moment at a time.  Each moment is a precious gift.

Jane McNaught

As a senior citizen cardiac patient with lower back pain to boot I never thought Yoga was for me, and it took some time and persuasion to get started with Yoga for Rehabilitation and Recovery at the Helen Hayes Hospital. What impressed me right away was the sense of calm that Bruce Van Horn the instructor brings to our lessons.  He makes us feel safe in doing whatever we can, and sometimes we surprise ourselves in the process. Very useful to me were the breathing exercises to reduce stress.  In my experience, this has helped me to even out my blood pressure, especially during doctor’s office visits. My doctor is very pleased.   I have also noticed an increase in flexibility and better balance (which I’m still working on).  This helps me to maneuver better sometimes without my cane.  Finally I was surprised to find that a body twisting exercise was especially helpful in relieving my lower back pain. Our experience with the Yoga program has been truly encouraging to us in making us realize that we have the power to do something positive about our health on our own.

Charlie

I’ve had a number of construction work related injuries including 11 operations on my foot and then I had Hepatitis.  I found the Yoga to help me with strengthening, flexibility and peace of mind.  I was a biker and probably had more than my share of anger issues but I find the Yoga helps me to be a more loving parent.  I realize I don’t have to fly off the handle when something doesn’t exactly go the way I want it.  I’m raising my daughter and taking each day as it comes.  I’m grateful for my blessings and to Helen Hayes for the program.

Martina O’Reilly RN:  

As a Nurse working in Helen Hayes’ Traumatic Brain Injury Unit I face a very stressful environment at work. The nurses and staff seem to be getting older but the technology keeps improving and there is not only the stress of handling challenging injuries but also keeping pace with innovative equipment and procedures that are used.  There is tremendous anxiety faced by the staff which results in burnout and ultimately impacts our immune system functioning.  I find the Yoga class here at Helen Hayes Hospital helps us to re-connect, it gives me downtime so I can be more positive and relaxed during the day.   The breathing exercises help me on the unit to deal with situations as they arise, putting me in the moment instead of obsessing about things in the future which I may not have control over.  I find that I can slow down before responding to situations which ultimately helps me make more mindful choices, and t ihelps me accept my limitations and things I have no control over.