Aquatic Exercise Association

Intermediate / 3.0 credit hours

Faculty: Meredith Morig, MOTR/L, ATRIC / Julia Meno, CTRS, CMT, ATRIC

Ai Chi for Sensory Issues
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In addition to being used as an aquatic exercise to increase relaxation and fitness, Ai Chi is a total body sensory experience. This aquatic technique uses breathing techniques and progressive resistance training in the water to relax and strengthen the body. The sensory input from the water increases body awareness 30 times more than on land, which increases the benefit and prolonged effect of this technique compared to similar land based exercises. Additional ways to enhance this sensory experience include adding music and aroma therapy.

Although this sensory experience is calming for many of us, it is important to understand how sensory processing affects us all differently. In addition to learning about how to enhance the sensory aspect of Ai Chi, this course will discuss differences in sensory processing and how these differences can affect our client’s response and success when participating in Ai Chi. We will also discuss and practice ways to adapt and modify Ai Chi techniques in order to benefit those with sensory issues.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Classroom:
1) Identify how Ai Chi can improve sensory processing.
2) Discuss additional techniques to enhance the sensory experience during Ai Chi.
3) Review types of sensory input provided by water.
4) Review neurological process of sensory processing and sensory integration.
5) Discuss ways to adapt and modify Ai Chi techniques to benefit those with sensory issues.

Pool:
1) Participate in exploring the sensory aspects of the water.
2) Practice visual and tactile cues to apply to Ai Chi techniques.
3) Demonstrate how to modify or decrease movement sequences.
4) Utilize music or metronome to modify speed.
5) Collaborate on how to limit distractions.

FACULTY: Meredith Morig, MOTR/L, ATRIC, is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in combining sensory integration techniques with aquatic therapy in order to enhance a child’s functional abilities. She has many years of experience working in a specialized sensory integration clinic, providing therapy to children of all ages and diagnoses. She has combined her love for the water with her expertise in sensory integration to provide a more effective therapy modality to enhance a child’s functional abilities. Using her knowledge about sensory integration, along with what she has learned from becoming a certified aquatic therapy instructor, she has developed a successful aquatic program, which has benefitted many children. Meredith also enjoys sharing her knowledge with aspiring students and the community in order to help as many children as possible.

Ai Chi Sensory
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Learn Ai Chi modifications/adaptations that will assist clients with body awareness, co-ordination and timing of active movement. These sensory-specific adaptations are indicated for motor learning, autonomic neural response and neuromuscular re-education. Practitioners will learn to use a variety of sensory integration techniques to elicit a sense of orientation, balance and control for the client.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) Participants will learn how proprioceptive, exteroceptive and vestibular techniques can be applied to Ai Chi to assist sensory integration or modulation.
2) Examine how interoception plays a key role in socio-emotional awareness and the effect on movement perception.
3) Explore aquatic therapy cuing techniques to assist clients with postures and breathing.
4) Gain sensory specific aquatic applications.
5) Determine how and when to use verbal, tactile and auditory cuing in Ai Chi/Ai Chi Ne and to promote postural awareness and motor response.

FACULTY: Julia Meno, CTRS, CMT, ATRIC, is the founder/owner of Therapeutic Aquatics, Inc. and provides individual Myofascial Aquatic Body Work, AquaStretch™ and adaptive aquatic classes. She is the author and publisher of The Bad Ragaz Ring Method Visual Instructional Manual and Video; and co-producer of the PNF in The Pool and Myofascial Aquatic Body Work DVDs. She received the 2014 Aquatic Therapy Professional Award and the 2002 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award.