AGELESS GRACE

Ageless Grace – www.agelessgrace.com
Seated brain-body exercises for brain health!
Denise Medvid, Founder

WHAT IS AGELESS GRACE?

Ageless Grace (www.agelessgrace.com)  is a brain health fitness, brain-body program based on stimulation of neuroplasticity that supports cognitive health and activates all five primary functions of the brain. The program uses physical “games” called “tools” that also work the core , and activate the organs and systems of the body. The 21 tools of the program are based on the concept of neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to change structurally and functionally. Anyone, at any age , including those with physical disabilities and challenges, can participate at his or her level of ability.

Each tool addresses  a primary factor commonly related to aging.. All the tools stimulate and utilize the five functions of the brain- strategic planning, memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination and kinesthetic learning. Ageless Grace restores and maintains neural pathways and stimulates the creation of new ones. From birth through mid teens, the brain is busy creating a complex web of neural pathways. But functional and cognitive skills that were developed through traditional childhood games, sports, and leisure activities are typically no longer explored in adulthood when we tend to practice only what we like to do and what we do best.

The tools activate the core of the body, including the internal organs and systems, such as the respiratory system, endocrine system, and digestive system. The program is practiced in a chair, to cause the brain to figure out how to do these activities seated rather than standing. Performing the tools in a chair also affects physical skills , such as balance, stability, range of motion ,etc. People of all ages and abilities( including children) can perform the movements, including those with weight and joint issues, diabetes and other challenges such as those in wheelchairs or with other physical limitations.

Using just three tools each day, for no more than 10 minutes in total, is all that’s required to get plenty of benefit from the program. No need to go to a gym,,no need for special equipment; all that’s needed is a chair, a clock to time your practice for 10 minutes – something that makes music to stimulate your brain and body even further.They have simple names like Gentle Geometry, so easy to remember.

There are now over 2200 certified Ageless Grace educators in all 50 of the U.S. states as well as 23 other countries. Educators are teaching in retirement communities, elementary schools, rehabilitation programs, community centres, churches and synagogues, and in fitness centres.

The Ageless Grace fitness program was founded and created by Denise Medvid when she was studying in a graduate program in gerontology. She was surprised to discover that the material in a course called ‘The Architecture of Aging” meant designing homes and work spaces for people so that when they lost their mobility, they’d be prepared. Being prepared meant having a wheelchair ramp already installed; handrails in the walk in shower; kitchen counter heights at wheelchair level. Cabinets and shelves should be installed no higher than can be reached without bending down or standing on a step stool.

While it’s inevitable that some people will lose their mobility, Denise was concerned by this conventional thinking. She began to think about possibilities if the focus was shifted away from accommodating physical limitations, to doing everything possible to forestall those.limitations, or at least diminish the severity of them. She was convinced that many of the so-called inevitable signs of aging were not inevitable at all; they were simply lack of practice “of the skills needed to maintain youthful function.

At the same time, her own brilliant mother, who read 2-3 books per week, did crossword puzzles and games all the time , taught school , was a church pianist for over 60 years and wrote children stories, wad diagnosed with Alzheimers at an early age. How could someone with such an active brain could have this disease. Meanwhile her father led a very active life, exercising constantly and winning awards, lived into his 90s and being very alert. Denise was led to delve into the study of neuroscience and brain function, took many courses and seminars and graduated from The Neuroscience Academy in Sydney Australia.

She spent many years in Advertising and public relations. For nearly 15 years ,she was one of 13 Black Belt Nia Technique trainers in the world. She has been teaching Nia for over 30 years, and is a certified personal trainer and senior fitness instructor. She spent seven years creating Ageless Grace, incorporating the latest research in the field of neuroplasticity.

VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT!