I’m always mixing and combining presentations so they can be perfect for the group I’m speaking to, but here are my favorite topics with brief descriptions. 

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

 

 

AI CHI – Flowing Aquatic Energy

AiChi is a water exercise and relaxation program that has been created to help aquatic practitioners and students enjoy the water in a flowing yet powerful progression.  Aquatic exercise instructors, personal trainers, and aquatic therapy and rehabilitation practitioners will find the AiChi workshop beneficial for them and their clients.  It is an efficient exercise program that increases oxygen and caloric consumption simply with correct form and positioning in the water.  It is a perfect relaxation technique for highly stressed, over-challenged clients, and it is ideal for creating improved range of motion and mobility.  AiChi, created by combining Tai-Chi concepts with Shiatsu and Watsu techniques, is performed standing in shoulder depth water using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and torso.  Lecture and Pool.

 

 

AI CHI Basic Certification

Compare the benefits of Ai Chi for the average healthy adult and modifications to Ai Chi for special situations.  Hear about the Eastern thought behind the movement performance and sequence of Ai Chi. Examine the continuing evolution of Ai Chi with several new ways to make the basic program more effective.  Analyze the body and mind efforts necessary for a positive effect.  Apply teaching techniques including lecturing, music, pacing and flow of a class or workshop.  Examine several different ways to focus your Ai Chi instruction to create new or advanced Ai Chi opportunities for your clients.   Full Day. Lecture and Pool.

 

AI CHI NE

This Ai Chi Ne (ne means two in Japanese) experience is designed for those comfortable with working and breathing with others.   This program is excellent for those with balance deficits (older adults, Parkinson’s disease, CP, CVA, etc) and those with poor kinesthetic awareness.  We will with experiment with physical positioning, breathing cadences and techniques, and body awareness.  Precise kinesiology for safety and effectiveness in the Ai Chi Ne partner work is included. 

 

AI CHI Balance and Trunk Stabilization

Using Ai Chi with some Pilate’s concepts this session will apply core stability and fall prevention techniques to develop balance and lumbar stabilization for your clients.  The focus of this Ai Chi class will be on deep, rather than superficial, muscles.  Learn to use the trunk muscles to initiate movement in the extremities.  Balance, mobility and stability all in one program!  Lecture and Pool.

 

AQUA TECHNIQUES - Aquatic Do's, Dont's, Guidelines, and How to Implement Them in Your Program

Answers the most often asked questions about aquatic exercise.  We'll cover general and relative contraindications, music, water depth and temperature, safety issues, acoustics, heart rates and intensity, and anything you want to discuss.  Lecture.

 

AQUATIC EQUIPMENT - Explanation and Experimentation in Shallow and Deep Water

Come learn the in's and out's, the do's and don'ts, the precautions and contraindications, and what goes where, with aquatic equipment.  Both shallow and deep-water programs and equipment will be reviewed.  This presentation will leave you comfortable using the most popular aquatics products safely, efficiently and effectively.  Lecture and pool.

 

BACK HAB - A Simple-To-Use Plan for Problem Backs

Back pain and back problems are our number one non-terminal health problem and affect 4 out of 5 adults in this country.  While back problems account for 18 million doctor visits a year approximately 90% of them can be treated at home.  After determining which ones can be treated by a lay instructor, this lecture will cover factors that contribute to back pain; the anatomical function, terms and muscles of the low back and a discussion of treatment through aquatic exercise.

NEEDS IDENTIFICATION:  With 80% of the population experiencing back pain at some time, offering back classes must have potential.  The problem is finding the right instructor who can produce a good program.  Your worries are over.  BackHab can be used safely by any instructor.  It can even be used by the client alone.  Try it in the pool after the lecture!

 

CIRCUIT TRAINING 

Circuit training opens new ideas for inclusion in current programs and new possibilities for new market programs.  Circuit training can retain students and draw new ones.  The lecture covers guidelines, format, types of equipment and types of circuit training programs possible.  Specific strength guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine are included.  The pool portion gives participants a chance to experience a full class, from the thermal warm-up to the final stretch.  Lecture and pool.

 

INTERVAL AND SPORTS TRAINING - Workouts for the Well Conditioned

Combines high and moderate intensity using athletic moves (i.e. hamstring drills) with athletic training concepts (i.e. plyometrics).  Format, comparison to land, water temp, water depth, equipment, music and the most common errors will be discussed.  Lecture and pool.

 

INTRO TO AQUATIC THERAPY AND REHAB

This course includes a pool experience of Watsu, Bad Ragaz, PNF, Ai Chi , Halliwick, Unpredicatable Command Technique, Ai Chi Ne, Burdenko Method. Lyu Ki Dou, and other aquatic protocols and how to learn more about each.  Different organizations, individuals, events, and protocols are covered during the resource segment of the presentation.  Therapists working with specific populations will know where to access information regarding that population group.

Included is a review of the aquatics industry as a whole: The evolution of the industry from a small market segment to a successful, sought after practice.  Participants will be able to set their personal and business goals according to the future trends in the industry. Lecture and pool.

 

*LIFE: THE BURNING ISSUES - If You Can't Take The Heat Get Out Through The Kitchen

Using a fire she survived as a backdrop, Ruth takes you on a spellbinding and entertaining journey.  Her vivid story is amusing and lively but also thought-provoking.  The compelling lessons learned while she fled from the fire will awaken your spirit, make you feel good, and help you recognize opportunity.  Motivating, dramatic and humorous, this presentation will leave you remembering how to succeed with your personal relationships, your business, your health, and your life.  Keynote.

 

MARKETING - Peddling, Plugging and Hawking Your Aquatics Program

Need some direction and new ideas for promoting your programs?  We'll quickly review three basic concepts and then get down to innovative ideas to help your programs grow and prosper.  Lecture.

 

PAINLESS STRATEGIC PLANNING

Strategic planning let's us prepare for new ventures and events by giving us an idea of what to expect, what we should avoid, what obstacles we'll need to hurdle, and how to do it all well.  Painless Strategic Planning will simplify the process and make it practical and applicable.  This workshop will take you through an uncomplicated summary of your business situation and a short goal writing session.  It'll end with a strategic plan to achieve those goals whether they're for a successful event or a new venture.  You will profit from having a complete plan and timeline of all the projects needed to achieve your written goals.  You'll go back to work knowing what needs to be done, by when, and by whom.    Lecture.

 

PERIODIZATION

The concept of periodization is used with many fitness enthusiasts who want to set and achieve long-term goals.  It’s a fun method to push clients off their fitness and weight loss plateaus.  This lecture discusses training cycles, performance goals, physiological benefits, terminology, and training techniques.  The target market for periodization is reviewed with hints on how to draw that market.  Sample periodization formulas are given for different performance goals.  Lecture.

 

SCRAMBLED CHOREOGRAPHY

SCRAMBLED Choreography is a new technique to help instructors think of and make up new moves while preparing or teaching.  Types of choreography styles are covered first (Linear progressions, Pyramid, Add-on, Pure repetition, Layer technique, Holding pattern addition and removal).  Choreography Basics are then reviewed before getting to the New Moves section.  Using the SCRAMBLED technique will make choreography absolutely delightful.  Lecture and pool.

 

SPECIAL POPULATIONS AND OLDER ADULTS - Indications, Contraindications, and Opportunities

This presentation applies modifications, special precautions, format, general programming, intensity, indications and contraindications for the Older Adult and other Special Populations. Cardiorespiratory workouts, balance and coordination drills, vital capacity work, flexibility and agility training are all included.  Lecture.  Pool optional. 

 

SYNERGISTS AND STABILIZERS (TRIPLE S)

Based on the work of Joseph Pilates, this professional dance-training technique uses deep, rather than superficial, muscles.  Instead of moving from the outside in (in large motor movements), we’ll work from the inside out (in smaller, controlled, intrinsic movements).  The program will produce long, lithe bodies, and solid abdominals.  Lecture-only or lecture and pool.

 

UNPREDICTABLE COMMAND TECHNIQUE

The Unpredictable Command Technique (UCT) uses familiar and unfamiliar movements in random patterns to improve somatic awareness, voluntary movement, balance, coordination, agility and reaction time.  Rather than using only one motor skill at a time, UCT uses multiple movements simultaneously.  Rather than repeating a movement a set number of times in a consistent sequence, UCT uses a random sequence and a non-conforming number of repetitions.  Lecture and pool.

 

VERY BASIC ANATOMY

This highly rated, enjoyable lecture will very simply review basic anatomy and kinesiology.  Basic anatomical, physiological and kinesiological terms will be covered first to lay the groundwork.  Learning and remembering major muscle groups, their location and how they function, will be easy with the special learning tips they'll come with.  Simple examples of joint movement and muscle involvement will be given.  Whether you come to review your knowledge or learn new information, this lecture will be an enjoyable way to "get the basics".  Come see why this lecture gets top reviews everywhere it's given.  Lecture.

 

*WHO MOTIVATES THE MOTIVATOR? -  A Prescription to Staying Enthused. 

How do we stay motivated, keep our staff motivated, and keep our clients motivated?  What can we do?  Create new energy using the Prunes, Carrots, and Ripples prescription.  Join Ruth for a great presentation and learn how to implement motivational techniques without taking any time out of your day.  It's great and it works.   Keynote. 

 

WORKING WITH LIMITED MOBILITY CLIENTS

No more theory!  This presentation is all application.  We're not going to talk about aging, back pain, orthopedic problems, arthritis, etc. on the cellular level - we're going to experience it (temporarily).  We'll feel the modifications necessary to have special populations in our programs.  We'll review modifications regarding depth, temperature, equipment, format, duration, mode, frequency and intensity ... those are easy.  By becoming temporarily infirm we'll discover which populations need which modifications to integrate them into our traditional classes, and which populations need their own classes.  After we feel the infirmities, we'll evaluate indications and contraindications for each special population. 

 

Fees:

All travel, meal, and overnight accommodations

$400 per hour

$1200per half day (4 hours)

$2000 per full day (8 hours)

*Keynotes are $1500