Seminar Held at Masonic Home in Central New York

Senior Citizens Learn Self-Defense and Exercises with a Cane

"Its about improving your quality of life," Grandmaster Crandall noted to the group of seniors who filled the atrium.  "You may not be able to do all of these exercises in their full range of motion, but practicing them will help you maintain what you can do right now.  You want to remain active in the months and years to come.  You want to keep the mobility you have.  These exercises can help."

On Wednesday, Sepetember 15th, Secure Living Online presented a self-defense seminar for 40 residents of the Masonic Home in Utica, New York.  The participants included senior citizens who use canes, walkers, four wheel walkers, and wheelchairs (manual and motorized). The seminar was hosted by Jay Snow, the Masonic Home's director for community life.  The 90 minutes seminar focused on safety and security for seniors.

"It was wonderful to see so many active seniors getting excited about learning self-defense," said Lynn Jessee, a licensed physical therapy assistant and Secure Living Online director.  "They really wanted to practice the exercises and use their canes for more than just walking."

The seminar was taught by the board of directors for Secure Living Online: Grandmaster Crandall, Eric Stalloch, Master Cheryl Freleigh, and Lynn Jessee.  The seminar consisted of exercises to stabilze the muscles of the scapula and shoulder joint, exercises that doubled as basic blocks against assaults, empty hand and cane techniques (from standing and seated positions), and the first 5 moves of a practice kata (similar to a Tai Chi form).

Following the seminar several of the participants came up to ask us questions and discuss what they had learned.  "Many of the seniors indicated that they were going to start practicing the exercises in their rooms.  It was gratifying to hear so many seniors express that the seminar had opened their eyes to their safety.  They just didn't realize how many things they could do."

One of the areas that the residents found unique was using a walker for self defense.  Grandmaster Crandall demonstrated how a cane clip could be used to attach a cane directly to the walker's frame so that it would be immediately accessible.  Then he showed how the walker itself could be used as barrier against an attacker, moved for basic blocks, manipulated to strike or trip-up an attacker.

Many of the techniques and exercises taught at the seminar are documented on the DVD Cane Fu: Moving Beyond Disabilities.  Two of the residents who participated received prizes.  One received a cane master cane, another received a copy of the DVD.  All of the residents received an informational sheet reviewing the seminar's material so they can continue to practice in the weeks and months to come.

If you would like to host a seminar or have us train your staff, visit www.securelivingonline.com for more information.  Later this week we will be posting a free video of a cane technique.  Until next time...Be Safe!