IMPROVING POSTURE, BALANCE AND MOBILITY
Ms. Miriam Tait is an instructor in a health and wellness course for seniors, emphasizing balance and mobility. She emphasizes the need for good posture, keeping the navel in, knees soft, shoulders down and back, chest up and out, and head up. She agrees with the need for stretching of the joints. One of the aspects of physical training that has been overlooked is the importance of the small muscles, most of them close to the bone, such as in the foot, ankle, hip, and between the ribs. These are the sites of proprioception, which is one of the major factors in balance, along with vision and the inner ear. They send signals to the brain for better brain/body coordination.
Ms. Tait teaches that it is not enough to train on hard surfaces such as hard floors or cement walks, referred to as “non-compliant” surfaces. “Compliant” surfaces are better for a less stressful impact on the small muscles. There are various tools with “compliant” surfaces, such as Dynodiscs, (which all her students have), and especially the “Sanddune”, which is about 30 inches square, flat-topped with a slightly inclined spongy surface. These tools “challenge and promote flexibility, balance, vestibular stimulation and neuromotor learning” (quoted from the syllabus for this course).
When I step onto the Sanddune, my feet sink slightly into the surface. Within about a minute, my heels sink deeper, giving my calf muscles a good but gentle stretch. I then press my toes into the surface, first individually, then all. Then, in sequence, I rotate the balls of the feet in tiny circles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. Putting the feet flat, I then rotate the ankles, knees, and hips, after which I may walk in place, then rest briefly before stepping off the Sanddune. For a while I feel slightly tired, but energized. Hopefully, I have stated the process of retraining the brain to improve my posture, balance, and mobility. Alan M. Massing (Retired DDS) – San Clemente
I enjoyed testifying to the brilliance of SandDune via the little lunchtime video one breezy afternoon. I would have also liked you to have seen the hand stand development and HIGH Plyometrics with ZERO compaction landing. Playing catch with the medicine ball on the sanddune is terrific as well. I am most astounded at friend\’s improvements in core strength by using Sanddune despite back problems including scoliosis. I have recently assisted physical therapists in direct contact with their clients for immediate confirmation of rehab results with my 2 Dunes!
Gary, Fire Fighter and Peer Fitness Trainer – September 2014
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This simple exercise apparatus is very effective in helping reestablish balance and core strength for patients who are planning to return home. I have been utilizing The Original SANDDUNE since November 2012 and find it to be more effective than many of the expensive balance systems available today.
Larry
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Hi my name is Robert Contreras and I am the owner and Artistic Director of a pre-professional dance company in Las Vegas, Nevada called Inspire Dance Company. The company trains at a studio inside the Keith Kleven Institute. Having access to many physical therapy apparatuses I was introduced to the Sanddune and it has changed my dancers. The sanddune challenges the dancer to find stability, balance as well as strengthening the core and mobility. I have created an entire class workout on the sanddune that includes jogging, running, plies, releves, developes, abdominal work, yoga poses and stretches. After working on the sanddune the dancers can take their work center floor and have a great sense of balance.
I recommend every dance facility have this apparatus in their studios! It’s worth every penny!
Robert Contreras – Owner and Artistic Director of Inspire Dance Company
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In the past the Sanddune was being used 8 to 10 hours a day in the clinic. Most of what we have used it for was conditioning for skiing, golf, hiking as well as post- op for knees, hips and ankles/feet. Some ankle/foot, and knee sprains. Patients love the feel and seem to respond well.
We are now seeing clients from MMA, pro and amateur golfers, marathon runners and ballet dancers – beginning to professional use the Original SANDDUNE for conditioning purposes.
Julie – Kleven Institute
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This is an incredible apparatus. Andrea and I just purchased one, and we’re hooked. It strengthens your core, without any other gadgets. It starts with balance, then it teaches you about your body, by making your legs sing like they have been asleep. It wakens your body, and it is so simple, it seems like magic. Check out the site, you will thank me, honest.
Kirk Wassell
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I use the Sanddune in my four Balance Courses, because of the amazing and positive results. And guess what? At this time, Saddleback Emeritus classes are free.
Miriam Tait
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…I have found it (SANDDUNE™) great to use with my younger students who 1 – lack coordination 2 – don’t understand the idea of engaging all muscles and 3- need to work on balance, control and core engagement. I would be happy to share my process with anyone interested. This tool is really making a difference in the kids training- would really love to utilize it with classrooms of kids instead of one on one.
Jen ~ Artistic Fusion Dance Academy
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The SANDDUNE™ is being used 8 to 10 hours a day in the clinic. Most of what we have used it for so far is conditioning for skiing, golf, hiking as well as post op for knees, hips, and ankles/feet. Some ankle/foot, and knee sprains. Patients love the feel and seem to respond well.
Soos (The Kleven Institute)
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Several months ago we received one of your Sanddunes for one of our offices We have been very pleased with it and would like to order four (4) more for our other offices.
Sincerely, Liz (Coplin Physical Therapy)
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In 2004, I was involved in a skiing accident that left me with permanent spinal cord damage. After years of recovery and therapy I was left with, among other things, loss of feeling from the chest down and weakness mostly on my right side. I had difficulty walking, using stairs, and standing for more than 15 minutes. My right foot dragged when I walked and I would often stumble. I was constantly worried about falling. I also had very limited sense of balance.
I started using the SANDDUNE™ daily and after a few weeks I saw a marked improvement in my walking. My balance was greatly improved as was my ability to go up and down stairs. I continue to use it daily and continue to see improvement in leg strength, walking ability and balance.
R. Covert (Huntington Beach, CA) Fall 2012
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Rachel Bronsal was introduced to the SANDDUNE™ in November 2012. She was diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo 18 years ago and writes that after extensive medication given, she landed in the hospital two times. A doctor told her to stop taking the meds, the meds were making it worse and suggested she try acupuncture which worked better than the Epley technique and other treatments including exercises and diets she had trying. She did this for 2 years. ”I did get better after seven years just like the book “FEELING DIZZY” said. Then it was balance problems and falling when I least expected.” She had an accident in 2004 & started to fall, not only backwards but falling forward. “I couldn’t talk or see clearly. I had to have acupuncture twice a week for some time before getting better. I would get up in the morning not knowing if I would be able to function without having nausea and sitting up for 3 hours.” She began drinking an herb tea made for her by an acupuncture doctor which helped. But, the SANDDUNE™ worked for her the very first day she used it thinking it must have been a coincidence. “I said I would go online to check it out, with Jack’s progress I didn’t doubt that it would be worth watching. I really thought it would be better for Don, my husband as he has trouble walking. I really thought it would benefit him more than it would me.”
It has been 18 days and she feels wonderful “ knowing I can plan to do things in the morning without having to eat one hour before taking the herb tea, then sitting for half an hour before doing or going anywhere… Damn… I am sooo HAPPY! PLEASE IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, TRY THIS.”
With Gratitude,
Rachel/Rocky Bronsal
Original SANDDUNE™ 