At Cunningham Creek Elementary, music therapy makes difference for special-needs students

Published:	February 25, 2010
Source:	The Florida Times Union
Location:	United States (Florida)
Category:	Health
Media:	Photo(s)

Amanda Hunter, 11, is a typical middle-schooler, sporting a Jonas Brothers backpack and gushing over the group. But for Amanda, music holds more meaning than a simple boy-band crush. “Music helps me with multiplication,” the wheelchair-bound Amanda said with a proud smile. “Music is awesome. I learn a lot from it.”

Amanda is one of 250 special-needs students at Cunningham Creek Elementary School in Northwest St. Johns County. She is also part of the music therapy program at Cunningham Creek, the only school in the county that offers it, said Principal Betsy Wierda. Music therapist Minda Gordon said this is the fourth year since she began the program at the school and she has seen drastic changes in students such as Amanda. “There were students who we didn’t even think could talk. Now they dance and sing,” Gordon said. “We found that if you raise the bar for these students, they’ll jump it.”

Person(s) Referenced:

Minda Gordon

Modality:

Music Therapy

Health Condition:

Autism/Asperger's

Cerebral Palsy

Down Syndrome

Cusco Healing Center

Contact Us

Email: cuscotherapies@aol.com

Phone: (84) 974-292 739 (84) 974-287069

*We offer in-home services for your convenience. If you prefer the service in your hostel, we can bring all equipment and music to set up.

Read More

Music Therapy Gives Voice to the Voiceless

Published:	February 21, 2010
Source:	Science Now
Category:	Health

It’s an impressive video. An elderly man in thick eyeglasses and a blue shirt sits in a wheelchair. A therapist sits across from him, off-camera. She tries to get him to say he’s thirsty, but he can’t produce the words. Several years ago, the man had a stroke that damaged the part of his brain that lets him talk, a condition known as aphasia.

Then, slowly, things begin to change. The therapist starts humming a simple, haunting melody: two notes at the same pitch, a third a bit higher, then back down. “I am thi-i-rsty,” she sings. Resting her hand on the table, she taps the man’s hand in time, encouraging him to sing along. “I am thirsty,” he sings, in harmony. She sings the sentence; he sings it back. She says the sentence. He says it back. What would you say on a hot day like today, she asks. “I am thirsty,” he answers. In a matter of minutes, a stroke patient who’s been unable to speak for years has learned to express a basic human need.

Organization(s) Referenced:

Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory

Person(s) Referenced:

Gottfried Schlaug

Modality:

Melodic Intonation Therapy

Health Condition:

Aphasia

Neurologic Disorder

Additional Coverage:

Wall Street Journal

CNN Health

Discover Magazine

Cusco Healing Center

Contact Us

Email: cuscotherapies@aol.com

Phone: (84) 974-292 739 (84) 974-287069

*We offer in-home services for your convenience. If you prefer the service in your hostel, we can bring all equipment and music to set up.

Read More

Music on the mind: CSU department connects music to brain activity, healing

Published:	February 25, 2010
Source:	Rocky Mountain Collegian
Location:	United States (Colorado)
Category:	Health
Media:	Photo(s)

In a windowless room of the University Center for the Arts Tuesday sat patients of a group meeting to undergo a less common form of physical therapy. Everyone in the group shared a common trait; they all have Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills, speech and other functions of the brain.

Group members stood next to a wall, just in case they lost their balance, and turned their heads from side to side to the rhythm of a song being played on a piano in the corner of the room. The therapy session, headed by department research associate Ruth Rice and clinical coordinator Sarah Johnson, takes place every other Tuesday in the Center for Biomedical Research in Music in the UCA.

Cusco Healing Center

Contact Us

Email: cuscotherapies@aol.com

Phone: (84) 974-292 739 (84) 974-287069

*We offer in-home services for your convenience. If you prefer the service in your hostel, we can bring all equipment and music to set up.

Read More

Reiki Therapy - Accessing the energy of the Andes

Have you ever experienced a queasy feeling in your stomach when you are nervous? How about a lump in your throat when you are feeling negative emotions but can't find the words to express yourself? It is no coincidence that these physical ailments are accompanied by mental and emotional stresses.

Each of us has 7 main energy centers in our bodies called Chakras. Every day we stimulate these Chakras consciously or unconsciously through our thoughts, actions, interactions, senses, physicality, and environment. This stimulation can manifest energy in negative or positive form. When the Chakras are unbalanced or blocked, our bodies are assaulted with a myriad of physical ailments ranging from a minor headache to heart disease. While traveling it is natural to experience physical, emotion al, and spiritual highs and lows when confronted with new places, people, languages, challenges, and adventures. Even if we are having an overall positive experience, it can still be difficult to feel centered in ourselves.

Reiki is a natural method of healing through the use of Universal Life Force Energy. The reiki practitioner functions as a porthole to this energy, enabling the Universal Life Force Energy to flow to the recipients Chakras, thus bring harmony to the individuals mind body and spirit. Reiki can help with any problem an individual may have because the energy is fluid and malleable. Cusco is the perfect place to experience reiki therapy because it is a powerful center of universal energy.

With respect to Reiki:
 
Regrettably, I have seen many people throughout the years making a business of selling Reiki certifications who are in reality pseudo-teachers of Reiki. These “teachers” use drugs, alcohol, and/or eat meat, thinking that Reiki can purify their minds and bodies regardless of what they consume, and they go on to teach this to their students. This is very harmful because the energy of Prana, or Reiki, functions according to more subtle laws, such as the law of action and reaction known as Karma in Sanskrit.

What I learned is that any person can transmit Reiki, as long as his actions are pure and lives according to universal love. This journey is difficult for many because it orders detachment from many things. A reiki practitioner is a servant of the Supreme Love, therefore he must not contaminate his body and mind in order to transmit Prana in its purest form to the recipient. 

Druva

Read More

Massage Therapy in Cusco - Take care of your body in the mountains

Treat yourself to a massage with our experienced massage therapist here in Cusco. Your body will thank you.

Whether you spend 4 rigorous days on the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu, hike to the ruins of Saccsaywaman, or spend your days roaming the streets of Cusco, your body is bound to feel stress from exertion at a high altitude, where less oxygen reaches the muscles, causing them to be tender and sore.

Our bodies are our most valuable possessions and must be cared for properly. Just a musical instrument needs to be in tune to produce a beautiful sound, our bodies are physical instruments that need to be tuned properly in order to allow us to live our lives fully and vibrantly.

There are many types of massage. I will be able to help you discover the type that benefits you the most. Here is a list of the massages that I offer.

Thai yoga massage is an ancient healing art, which has its roots in India and is widely used in Thailand and Western countries today. The practitioner guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body's energy lines where” Prana “ the life force energy flows.. Blockages in this life force may cause aches, pains and even disease. The gentle stretching movements, energy line and pressure point work produces a uniquely relaxing yet energizing and highly effective therapeutic treatment, that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system and balances the body energetically. Thai Yoga Massage is ideal for anyone regardless of their level of flexibility.

Thai Yoga Massage is performed on a mat on the floor; both client and practitioner are dressed in comfortable clothing allowing ease of movement and flexibility. Thai yoga massage does not use oils or creams.
 
Shiatsu massage - Also known as Acupressure is a Japanese finger pressure massage technique. The therapist applies pressure using thumbs, fingers and palms of hands to specific areas of the body, to unblock energy and enable the optimal flow of Ki (Chi) or life force energy. The benefits include deep muscle relaxation and improved circulation. Comfortable clothing is worn and generally Shiatsu is carried out on a futon.

Swedish massage - A combination of Swedish (gentle, long strokes of light pressure), Petrissage (gentle kneading) and trigger point therapy (firm pressure on specific tight areas). Great for general relaxation and muscular tension release.

Deep tissue massage - Is a massage designed to manipulate deeply into the tissues to unblock and release chronic tension which accumulates in the muscles. Stretching, mobilization techniques and various massage movements are used to rebalance and restore body’s vitality.

Full body massage - Using a medium to heavy pressure for tired, aching muscles; this massage will help to break down small knots and tense muscles.

Sports massage therapy - Helps alleviate stress from the body due to strenuous exercise. The physiological benefits of the massage include improved blood and lymph circulation, muscle relaxation. It relieves stiffness and soreness and adds to more flexibility with less potential for further injury.

 Watsu is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water, (around 35°C.) It combines elements of massage, joint mobilization, shiatsu, muscle stretching and dance. The receiver is continuously supported while being floated, cradled, rocked and stretched. The deeply relaxing effects of warm water and nurturing support, combine with Watsu's movements, stretches, massage and point work, to create a bodywork with a range of therapeutic benefits and potential healing on many levels.

Read More

South India - "Ancient Cultures"

13th of October 2010 - 25th of October 2010 On our fifteen day round trip across South India we will visit ancient temple towns and ruins, witnesses of a forgotten sophisticated civilisation. Experience culture like the traditional Kathakali dance and the breathtaking variety of South Indias nature.

TOUR PLAN

Karnataka

Day 1:

Arrival in Bangalore and Check-In into the Hotel

Day 2:

On the next morning will travel to Mysore. On the way we will visit the temple of Sri Ranganath, Vishnu, in Sri Rangapatnam. After the check in and the lunch we are going to visit the temple of Chamundeshwari, a local goddess of protection, which is situated on the Chamundi Hills, in the middle of a beautiful landscape. In the afternoon we will visit the city palace of Tipu Sultan and on our way back to Bangalore we will enjoy the fantastic Brindavan Gardens with it´s Musical Fountain.

Day 3:

We will visit the Bull Temple, which was constructed solely for the bull Nandi, Shivas animal mount. There is one of the biggest idols of Nandi, about 4,60 meters high and carved from a single rock of granite. Next to it the Dodda Ganesha Temple is situated. In the afternoon there is free time for shopping and in the evening we will travel overnight by train to Hospet.

Day 4:

From Hospet we will go to Hampi. Since 1986 Hampi is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was the capital of the Hindu kingdom Vijayanagar from 1343 to 1564. At that time Hampi had more than 200.000 inhabitants. In the evening we will return to Hospet and travel overnight by train to Bangalore.

Tamil Nadu

Day 5:

local flight from Bangalore to Chennai (Madras) city tour and free time

Day 6:

From Chennai we will travel to the ruins of the erstwhile port city Mahabalipuram which blossomed in the 7th century under the rule of the Pallava dynasty. The remnants of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. In the evening we continue our tour going to Chidambaram.

Day 7:

On the next morning we will visit the temple of Shiva Nataraj. Nataraj is a name of the dancing Shiva, when the dark blaze of destruction erupts from his third eye and he finishes the world with his dance before it is created once again. In the afternoon we will tour on boat through the famous mangrove forest.

Day 8:

In the next morning we will head towards Madurai and enjoy the breathtaking variety of South India´s nature.

Day 9:

The 2500 years old city of Madurai constructed concentrically around the Meenakshi Temple which we will visit first. Afterwards we will walk through the impressive palace of the hindu king Thirumalai Nayakar and then visit the Kudal Azhagar Koil Vishnu Temple.

Kerala

Day 10:

Early in the morning we will travel across the picturesque Kerala to the Periyar National Park. There we will take part in a boat tour on the Periyar Lake and in the afternoon we will visit "Spice Paradise Garden", where we can learn a lot about cultivation and processing of spices.

Day 11:

In the morning we will set out for a beautiful hike through the unique Periyar National Park with it´s astonishing variety of wildlife. After the lunch we will travel to Alappuzha.

Day 12:

Alappuzha (Alleppey) is well known as the "Venice of the East". The city is the famous hub for boat tours on Keralas backwaters. These are a complex system of water canals connecting Kerala´s 44 rivers and we will relax on houseboats (the so-called "Kettuvallams") the whole afternoon and enjoy an insight into the local people´s life.

Day 13:

In the morning we will go to Kochi. In the evening we will enjoy a phantastic performance of the Kathakali Dance which has a centuries old tradition. Afterwards or in the next morning we will go to Kanyakumari.

Day 14:

Kanyakumari is situated at the southern end of India. There we will walk across the aqueduct which is one of the highest and longest of Asia and enjoy a gorgeous view. Afterwards we will visit cape and there the statue of the great hindu saint Thiruvalluvar who lived about 2000 years ago as well as the Suchindram temple.

Day 15:

Local flight from Thiruvanantapuram to Bangalore and from there flight back home For those who like we offer the opportunity to stay in an ayurvedic spa for three days of fantastic wellness treatment. Besides this the spa offers yoga, meditation, massages, shirodhara and an excellent health consultation. Tour Gallery Karnataka The first four days of our tour across South India we will spend in the federal state of Karnataka and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hampi, which once was the blossoming capital of the hindu kingdom Vijayanagar. Also we will visit the city of Mysore, which is well known for Sri Rangapatnam, a temple town close to the city, and paintings, it´s cuisine, silk saris as well as sophisticated products made from sandal wood. Around Mysore there are the picturesque Chamundi Hills. Tamil Nadu The following five days of our round trip across South India are fully dedicated to the cultural heritage of India´s ancient vedic civilisation. We will visit millennia old temples and cities. In some of these temples the fire of sacrifice burns for many centuries without interruption. Kerala In the last six days we travel across the state of Kerala. In this part of our tour we will experience the centuries old tradition of god worshipping dances such as Kathakali. We will enjoy breathtaking nature and the simplicity of the local life in the backwaters near Alappuzha as well as the picturesque Periyar National Park.

Read More