THE POISE PROJECT: alexander technique for the 21st century

  THE POISE PROJECT 2023 Timeline

 THE POISE PROJECT 2022 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT 2021 Timeline

 THE POISE PROJECT 2020 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT 2019 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT 2018 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT 2017 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT 2016 Timeline

THE POISE PROJECT

2024 TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2024 - Our ninth year of activity!

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2024 Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Cacciatore, T.W., Anderson, D.I., Cohen, R.G. (2024). Central contributions to muscle tone and tonic regulation: potential targets for pain and performance. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, 1511783. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1511783

  • Gopaul, U., Ogawa, E. F., Zanwar, P. P., Omar, Z. B., Sood, P., & Gross, M. (2024). What do I Need to Know About Home and Community-Based Physical Activity and Exercise After My Stroke?. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 105(5), 1029-1036. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00649-4/fulltext

  • Gross M., Cohen R.G. (2024). Importance of informal care partner participation in interventions for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Abstract 199: https://pascongress.omnibooksonline.com/#p=195

  • M. Gross, R. Cohen, C. Condie. (2024). Alexander technique remote-delivery group course for people living with Parkinson’s improves motor plan assembly time with correlated improvement in function [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/alexander-technique-remote-delivery-group-course-for-people-living-with-parkinsons-improves-motor-plan-assembly-time-with-correlated-improvement-in-function/. Accessed December 12, 2024.

  • Gross M, Lansang N, Gopaul U, Yoney K, Ogawa EF, Heyn PC, Sood P, Omar Z, Zanwar PP, Schwertfeger J, Faieta J. (2024). What Do I Need to Know About Long COVID-related Breathing Problems? Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Oct 4:S0003-9993(24)01185-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.06.024. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39365220. https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1jtfIwCgINrH

  • Hodges, M., Cohen, R.G., Cacciatore, T.W. (2024). Modern pain science and Alexander technique: How might Alexander technique reduce pain? Kinesiology Review, 13(4), 548-557. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2024-0035

  • Mirza, M., Trimboli, C., Hartman, J., Gamble, A., Rfat, M., Bentley, J., Gross, M., Alheresh, R., Hussein, Q., & Markos, T. (2024). Examining Barriers to Rehabilitation and Addressing Rehabilitation Needs Among Persons With Forced Migration Experiences: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 105(9), 1793–1806. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38763346.

January 2024

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Council meeting

    • Participated in virtual council meeting of the NIH’s NCCIH Council.

  • Parkinson’s British Columbia Brain Wellness

  • Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)

    • Attended the Subjective Cognitive Disorders Professional Interest Area (PIA) group meeting reviewing new information and research from 2023. January 24

    • Attended the Cognition Professional Interest Area (PIA) group meeting reviewing new information and research from 2023.
      January 25

  • Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Alliance (PMD Alliance)

    • Webinar on new data about cognitive decline and Parkinson’s disease.

  • German Research Team Meeting

    • Supporting a team of teachers in Germany developing a research project about AT for Dystonia.

February 2024

  • 5th Pan American Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress
    Cartegena Colombia, February 9-11, 2024

    • Attended three-day in person conference. Presented research poster “Importance of informal care partner participation in interventions for people living with Parkinson’s disease”. Poster was selected for a special Poster Tour, and an oral presentation was delivered. Had a team that exhibited at a nonprofit table. Conference was attended by 560 delegates from 29 countries. TEAM~ Monika Gross, Anna Furman, and Clara Sandler. Click here to view poster. Click here to view abstract.

  • “Partnering with Poise: Caring for the Care Partner” workshop curriculum training

    • Led a four-day training for two instructors in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for family care partners.

  • ACRM Athlete Development & Sports Rehabilitation Networking Group

    • Continued work on an active review of research literature focused on team sports participation’s impact on academic achievement and psychosocial wellbeing.

March 2024

  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

    • Attended webinar on peer mentoring for people living with paralysis and their families. March 13

    • Attended webinar on Mothering with Paralysis. March 20

  • Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

    • Attended webinar on Lewy Body dementia. March 14

  • American Society for the Alexander Technique

    • Attended member meeting on Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, Belonging, and Accessibility. March 14

  • National Institute of Mental Health

    • Attended full day 75th Anniversary online conference: “Amplifying Voices”. March 18

  • National Institutes of Health Office of Behavioral & Social Science Research

    • Attended webinar: “Lessons from the Pandemic: Social Connection”. March 19

  • Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles (PCLA)

    • Attended webinar with Ray Dorsey: “Environmental Risk Factors for PD”. March 21

  • Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)

    • Attended webinar on inclusive recruitment. March 22

  • The Developing Self UK

    • Attended webinar on Emotional Intelligence Training. March 24

April 2024

  • The Poise Project Boston/Providence Regional Project

    • Launched a 2024 regional effort to bring AT programming to the Boston/Providence area. Multiple meetings via Zoom with local AT professionals.

  • The Poise Project United Kingdom International Project

    • Launched a 2024 national effort to bring AT programming in the United Kingdom. Multiple meetings via Zoom with UK AT professionals.

  • Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)

    • Attended two-day virtual conference: “Latinos and Alzhemer’s Symposium”. April 4 & 5

  • Western North Carolina Early Childhood Coaltion

    • Attended virtual local meeting with updates on efforts that the WNC ECC has been engaged in and opportunities for connection.

  • American Society for the Alexander Technique: Huddle Presentation: April 21

    • Monika Gross gave a virtual presentation at the AmSAT Huddle: “Find a Colleague and Start Your Own Local Alexander Technique Nonprofit”.

May 2024

  • Asynchronous Alexander Technique for Parkinson’s Basic Training Course

    • Met with 3 AT teachers who had taken The Poise Project asynchronous AT for Parkinson’s Basic Training Course for questions and discussion and mentoring.

  • “Partnering with Poise: Caring for the Care Partner” workshop curriculum training
    Boston MA

    • Led a four-day training in Boston in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for family care partners. Part of The Poise Project’s 2024 Boston/Providence Regional Project.

  • “Poised for Parkinson’s: Manage Balance, Walking & Freezing” workshop curriculum training
    Boston MA

    • Led a four-day training in Boston in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Part of The Poise Project’s 2024 Boston/Providence Regional Project.

  • Alzheimer’s Foundation of America “Educating America Tour: Salt Lake City Alzheimer’s & Caregiver Conference, May 15
    Salt Lake City UT,

    • The Poise Project had an AFA Member Nonprofit exhibit table and team presence with Chandler Vaccaro who advocated to care partners and people living with dementia about Alexander technique services, including the “Partnering with Poise” program. Contact information for care partners was gathered for our next courses, and professional contacts made with speakers and other exhibitors.

June 2024

  • Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day® event, June 1
    Portland Maine

    • TEAM - Hope Gillerman, Tae Hyoung Kim & Witold Fitz-Simmons

    • The Poise Project informed the local Parkinson's communities about AT at Moving Day® events around the country. Table with handout materials and Alexander mini-lesson "Poise Tune Ups". Took photos for The Poise Project Tip Card "Takeaways" project.

  • “Poised for Parkinson’s: Manage Balance, Walking & Freezing” workshop curriculum training, June 5-9
    London UK

    • Led a two-day online and five-day training in London for five instructors in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Included two public workshop days with 13 people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners attending as part of the teacher training supervision. Part of The Poise Project’s 2024 United Kingdom International Project.

  • King’s College Student Mental Health Conference, June 10-12
    London UK

    • TEAM~ Monika Gross & Judith Kleinman

    • A collaboration between The Poise Project and The Developing Self UK. We attended a three-day in person conference. Presented workshop/presentation: “Embodied Agency: An introduction to Alexander technique as a student mental health intervention”. The workshop included a 25 minute didactic presentation with research and background on AT, and 45 minutes of experiential activity with time for Q&A afterwards. Many excellent connections made with university mental health professionals and charities, with interest in following up with possible feasibility trials of AT programming. Conference was attended by 130 professionals in the mental health field, both researchers and clinicians.

  • Alzheimer’s Foundation of America “Educating America Tour: Boston Alzheimer’s & Caregiver Conference, June 12
    Boston MA.

    • The Poise Project had an AFA Member Nonprofit exhibit table and team presence with Hope Gillerman and Anna Furman to advocate to care partners and people living with dementia about Alexander technique programs, including the “Partnering with Poise” program. Contact information for care partners was gathered for our next courses, and professional contacts made with speakers and other exhibitors.

  • ACRM Stroke Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group Movement Interventions Task Force, June 12

    • Monika Gross gave a well-received virtual 45 minute presentation with Q&A on the Information/Education Page she co-authored that was published in the Archives of Rehabilitation Medicine.

      • Gopaul, U., Ogawa, E. F., Zanwar, P. P., Omar, Z. B., Sood, P., & Gross, M. (2023). What do I Need to Know About Home and Community-Based Physical Activity and Exercise After My Stroke?. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, S0003-9993(23)00649-4. Published:December 15, 2023. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00649-4/fulltext

  • London Centre for Alexander Technique Training (LCATT) Lecture, June 13

    • Monika Gross attended a presentation by Ellen Casey on her thesis research at the Royal College of Music, Exploring the perceived impact of extensive training in the Alexander technique on the day-to-day lives of professional musicians.

  • “Partnering with Poise: Caring for the Care Partner” workshop curriculum training, June 14-18
    London UK

    • Led a two day online and five-day in person training in London for seven instructors in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for care partners of people living with longterm care needs. Included two public workshop days with some family and therapeutic professional care partner’s attending as part of the teacher training supervision. Part of The Poise Project’s 2024 United Kingdom International Project.

July 2024

  • How to teach The Poise Project curriculum via Zoom June 24, July 1, 8, 10 & 25

    • Led a five-day training online for two AT teachers in how to deliver The Poise Project’s workshop curriculum effectively online via Zoom. Part of The Poise Project’s 2024 Boston/Providence Regional Project.

  • Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) Annual General Meeting, July 13

    • Executive Director Monika Gross attended a virtual AGM for STAT as a voting member.

  • American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) Annual General Meeting, July 13

    • Executive Director Monika Gross attended a virtual AGM for AmSAT as a voting member.

  • Wintervile NC, July 24-30

    • Trained care partner Nina Reed to do peer-to-peer online delivery of the “Partnering with Poise” course for people of color.

    • Did community partner outreach in Eastern NC with Nina Reed.

August 2024

  • “Poised for Parkinson’s: Manage Balance, Walking & Freezing” workshop curriculum training, August 11, 18 & 21-26
    Asheville NC

    • Led a two-day online and six-day training in Asheville NC for one instructor in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

  • Integrative Medicine for the Underserved Conference, August 15-17
    Virtual

    • Attended three-day virtual conference on how to bring integrative practices to low income and marginalized communities.

  • “Partnering with Poise” 12 Week Course, August 20-November 12

    • Launched twelve week online course for care partners of people living with dementia or other cognitive challenges, taught by Monika Gross. Funded by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. 8 care partners began the course, and 4 more who were not able to attend at the meeting time particpated by following the recordings of sessions

September 2024

  • Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas Annual Syposium, September 7
    Charlotte NC

    • Had an information/exhibit table at the PAC annual symposium. Over 150 attendees, and good traffic at our table. Made good contact with corporate sponsors there who may be funders for our programming.

  • “Partnering with Poise” 12 Week Course, September 10-December 3

    • Launched twelve week online course for care partners of people living with dementia or other cognitive challenges, taught by Monika Gross. Funded by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. 12 care partners began the course.

  • Integrative Clinic for Group Medical Visits Conference: “Group Visits as Medicine”, September 13
    Virtual

    • Presented a session: “The importance of including care partners in group interventions for people living with neurodegenerative disease.” Research abstract/poster presented: “‘Partnering with Poise’: Retention of cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits for care partners of people living with Parkinson’s disease at 6 and 12 months after completion of an in-person Alexander-based group course.

  • “Poised for Parkinson’s: Manage Balance, Walking & Freezing” workshop curriculum training, September 14 & 15, & 20-25
    Philadelphia PA

    • Led a two-day online and six-day training in Philadelphia PA for three instructors in how to deliver The Poise Project’s four-lesson evidence-based workshop curriculum for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

  • International Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Society Conference 2024
    Philadelphia PA, September 26-October 1, 2024

    • Had a four-member Poise Project Team to advocate for AT at a five-day conference in Philadelphia. 4,800 delegates attended from 100+ countries, including medical professionals, allied health professionals, and researchers. Executive Director, Monika Gross, and Scientifc Consultant, Dr. Rajal Cohen also presented a research abstract/poster: “Alexander technique remote-delivery group course for people living with Parkinson’s disease improves motor plan assembly time with correlated improvement in function”. We had a nonprofit exhibit table with materials and networked with delegates and exhibitors. We were among 25 non-profit and 58 for-profit exhibitors there.

October 2024

  • Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day® event, October 12
    Boston MA

    • TEAM - Monika Gross, Lisa Sailor

    • The Poise Project informed the local Parkinson's communities about AT at Moving Day® events around the country. Table with handout materials and Alexander mini-lesson "Poise Tune Ups". Took photos for The Poise Project Tip Card "Takeaways" project.

  • Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod, Walk for Alzheimer’s event, October 13
    Provincetown MA

    • TEAM - Monika Gross, Holly Dobbs

    • The Poise Project informed the local Alzheimer’s communities about AT. Table with handout materials and Alexander mini-lesson "Poise Tune Ups". Focus on care partners of people living with AD.

  • Parkinson’s Association of the Wellness Group, October 16
    Virtual Webinar

    • Led an interactive online workshop with people living with PD and their care partners as part of PAC’s monthly wellness webinar series. 25 attendees.

  • International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA), October 19

    Virtual AGM

    • Attended online annual meeting of the International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association.

  • National Academy for Social Prescribing: Health Inequities, United Kingdom, October 23

    Virtual Webinar

    • Attended online session about health inequities in the new field of “social prescribing”. Learned more about how to integrate AT services into the list of social prescribing resources.

  • “Partnering with Poise” Peer-to-Peer Led Affinity Group for People of Color launched, October 28

    • Began to test feasibility (recruitment and retention) of a 12-week online course that was an affinity group for people of color who are care partners of people living with dementia or other cognitive challenges, taught by Peer Instructor Nina Reed. Funded by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

November 2024

December 2024

  • Parkinson’s Study Group Conference
    Nashville TN, December 5-8 2024

    • Attended in person conference in Nashville TN hosted by the Parkinson’s Study Group (PSG). Clinicians and administrative representatives from research centers around the country that are collaborating together for multisite studies gathered to connect and share outcomes with the larger Parkinson’s national community. Many important connections were made for future collaborations.

    • Had an exhibit table staffed with team member Monika Gross and Nina Reed.

    • Presented two research posters:

      • “The Poise Project: Alexander technique-based group interventions for people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners show post-course and long-term benefits” Click link to view poster

      • ““Partnering with Poise”: Retention of cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits for care partners of people living with Parkinson's disease at 6 and 12 months after completion of an in-person Alexander-based group course”. Click link to view poster.

Throughout 2024

  • The Developing Self USA

    • Meetings during the year with US team members of the US working group, a branch of The Developing Self UK, on the ongoing project to bring AT-related curriculum to children and youth in primary, secondary, and tertiary school settings. Also continued with ongoing WhatsApp and Zoom meetings with The Developing Self UK project.

  • International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA)

    • Attended monthly international Somatic Cafés and Community Connect meetings throughout the year with somatic movement educator and therapist colleagues on a variety of subjects, including addressing gaps in Accessibility in Somatics.

  • Monthly Meetings of the American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Special Interest, Networking, & Taskforce Groups

    • Monika Gross is an active participant in ACRM special interest groups, representing Alexander technique to allied health professionals involved in clinical rehab research and practice, and working on articles and other team projects.

      • Aging Research & Geriatric Rehabilitation NG

      • Aging Research & Geriatric Rehabilitation NG Cognition in Aging TF

      • Athlete Development & Sports Rehab NG

      • Arts & Neuroscience NG

      • Arts & Neuroscience NG Executive Committee

      • Brain Injury Interdisciplinary SIG Cognitive Rehabilitation TF

      • Brain Injury Interdisciplinary SIG Culture & Diversity in TBI TF

      • International ISIG - Refugee Empowerment TF

      • Military-Veterans Affairs NG Brain Injury Focus on Behavioral Health TF

      • Neurodegenerative Diseases NG

      • Neurodegenerative Diseases NG Leadership Committee

      • Neurodegenerative Diseases NG Parkinsonism & Related Movement Disorders TF

      • Neurodegenerative Diseases NG Alzheimer’s Disease TF

      • Stroke ISIG Movement Interventions TF

      • Pain Rehabilitation NG

      • Stroke ISIG Aphasia & Other Communications Disorders TF