THE POISE PROJECT: alexander technique for the 21st century
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2022 - Our seventh year of activity!
For a more detailed timeline of The Poise Project’s activities in 2022, and all timelines from 2016-2021, Click Here
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For additional Donor information, Click HERE
Poise Courses
January-March 2022, “Poised for Parkinson’s” online group course
We continued with our support of family care partners:
In the US, with funds raised from generous donors, we delivered our innovative 10-week Alexander-based PARTNERING WITH POISE course virtually using synchronous online delivery for care partners of people living with dementia recruited from across the US. 12 care partners were served.
We also collected 6 month and 12 month follow up data on longterm retention of benefits that participants said they experienced after having done two of our Fall 2021 online courses. This included conducting video interviews that gathered moving testimonials. (See below)
We also continued with our support of people living with Parkinson’s and their families:
In France, Marie-Laure Deplaix led a series of online two-day and three-week workshops based on POISED FOR PARKINSON’S that focused on management of specific Parkinson’s symptoms. This French version is called “Prêt pour Parkinson”.
We also collected 6 month follow up data, both physical and subjective, on longterm retention of benefits that participants said they experienced after having done two of our Fall 2021 online courses. Again, this included conducting video interviews both with the people living with Parkinson’s and their partners. (See below)
Poise Research
We were determined to collect research data from all of our online courses, which we did with IRB approval from the University of Idaho. We followed up with our PARTNERING WITH POISE pilot studies of two online courses that were delivered in Fall 2021, funded by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, by collecting 6 month and 12 month post-course data, including subjective surveys, executive function assessments, and semi-structured interviews. We also followed up with our POISED FOR PARKINSON’S pilot studies of two online courses that were delivered in Summer 2021, funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation, by collecting 6 month post-course data, both physical and subjective, and including semi-structured interviews.
We had our research abstract for our PARTNERING WITH POISE care partner online courses accepted for the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego, and we presented our research poster there, “‘Partnering with Poise’: Alexander technique online group classes are a promising intervention to decrease loss-of-self and increase agency for care partners of people living with dementia”, in August 2022. YOU CAN VIEW A SHORT NARRATIVE VIDEO ABOUT OUR POSTER BY CLICKING HERE.
We presented our research poster on our three online POISED FOR PARKINSON’S courses, “Adapting an in-person cognitive embodiment course to online delivery for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners”, at the May 2022 Pan-American Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Congress in Miami FL. YOU CAN VIEW A SHORT NARRATIVE VIDEO ABOUT OUR POSTER BY CLICKING HERE.
We presented our research poster on retention of benefits from our POISED FOR PARKINSON’S in person courses, “Poised for Parkinson's: Retention of benefits 6-7 months after Alexander technique synchronous online group course,” at the November 6-11, 2022 American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine in Chicago IL.
We presented our research poster “Feasibility of in-person and remote delivery of Alexander technique course for care partners of people with neurodegenerative disease,” which compared our in person and online course outcomes for the PARTNERING WITH POISE courses, at the September 15-18, 2022 International Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders International Conference
in Madrid Spain. YOU CAN VIEW A SHORT NARRATIVE VIDEO ABOUT OUR POSTER BY CLICKING HERE.
These novel Alexander-based programs are very much on the cutting edge of 21st century interdisciplinary tele-health, and our persistent efforts are having a powerful effect!
The Poise Project has been consistently showing up, exhibiting, presenting research, and networking with many different professionals at many conferences over the past seven years. We are seeing the results!
Our Executive Director, Monika Gross, has been invited to co-author a number of public-facing articles for patients living with Long COVID, stroke survivors, and people living with Parkinson’s disease, with allied health professional colleagues for the well-respected Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation journal because of her skill at writing content that communicates well to the general public. Here is one recently published in the Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: “What do I need to know about Long-COVID-related Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mental Health Changes?” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10028338/
Poise Advocacy
Many international conferences once again began to meet in person. We went to four important in person conferences, as well as continuing to have a presence at virtual and numerous hybrid conferences and symposiums.
Here is a sample of conferences and symposiums that The Poise Project attended:
Women’s Health Awareness Conference
Virtual, April 9, 2022
Participated in the Transforming Communities by Enhancing Women’s Health virtual conference hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Clinical Research Branch, Office of Human Research Compliance Co-Sponsors: Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Durham Alumnae Delta House Inc., and North Carolina Central University Department of Public Health Education.
International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA)
“Professional Pathways in Somatic Movement: Building Knowledge, Skills & Practices” conference
Virtual, April 29th–May 1st, 2022
Participated in three-day international conference with somatic movement educators and therapists.
4th International Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Society Pan-American Conference
Miami FL, May 26-28, 2022
Attended in person conference. Presented research poster “Adapting an in-person cognitive embodiment course to online delivery for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners”. Exhibited at nonprofit table for The Poise Project with a team made up of three AT professionals and one Mind in Movement Lab research assistant from the University of Idaho. Conference was attended by 575 delegates from 25 countries. Made valuable connections with movement disorder specialists, allied health professionals, researchers, pharmaceutical company funders, and nonprofit representatives in the field.
What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit
Virtual June 7-8, 2022
Participated in three-day virtual conference with networking opportunities at one of the most significant, gathering of venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives focused on the longevity economy.
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
San Diego CA, July 31-August 4, 2022
Participated in five-day conference in San Diego. Presented a research poster “‘Partnering with Poise’: Alexander technique online group classes are a promising intervention to decrease loss-of-self and increase agency for care partners of people living with dementia”. Over 10,000 delegates attended this hybrid conference. Successful networking included making positive connections with public health professionals in the Southeast focused on addressing health disparities in marginalized communities in the US.
International Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders International Conference
Madrid Spain, September 15-18, 2022 (Virtual attendance)
Presented virtually a research poster “Feasibility of in-person and remote delivery of Alexander technique course for care partners of people with neurodegenerative disease”. Conference attended by 3,000 in person delegates.
Medical Rehabilitation Research Resources Network (MR3) Conference
Virtual, September 29-30, 2022
Participated in two-day virtual conference. Abstract published in MR3 conference papers: “Centering Patient and Care Partner Dyads in Rehabilitation Research and Practice”.
Integrative Medicine for the Underserved (IM4US)
12th Annual Conference: Decolonizing Medicine - Centering and Rebuilding Grounded Approaches to Healthcare, Virtual, October 6-8, 2022
Participated in three-day virtual conference. Presented 60 minute pre-recorded session, “Alexander Technique in 2022: Removing Barriers & Centering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” in collaboration with Alexander Technique Liberation Project colleagues Kris Mozeiko and Renee Schneider. Exhibited at virtual live nonprofit booth for The Poise Project and the Alexander Liberation Project with a team made up of the two AT colleagues and Nina Reed, a care partner of a person living with dementia and participant in our “Partnering with Poise” course. YOU CAN VIEW OUR RECORDED PRESENTATION BY CLICKING HERE.
Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Alliance All In! Conference
Washington DC, October 22-25, 2022
Attended in person conference in Washington DC hosted by the PMD Alliance. Community and support group leaders and allies from around the country gathered, convening prospective leaders, newbies, and veterans to connect and collaborate in the larger Parkinson’s national community. Many important grassroots connections were made for future collaborations.
99th American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Conference
Chicago IL, November 6-11, 2022
Attended in person conference in Chicago. Led a four-hour Instructional Course, “Alexander Technique: A Novel Integrative Cognitive Embodiment Approach to Complement and Enhance Clinical Rehabilitation Practice”, in the Pre-Conference assisted by AT colleague Sarah Mayhan. Presented a research poster, “Poised for Parkinson's: Retention of benefits 6-7 months after Alexander technique synchronous online group course”. Helped prepare and present four 90-minute panel symposiums: “Centering Care Partners as Key Members of the Rehabilitation Team for Persons with Neurogenic Disorders”; “Beyond Therapy: Real Life Stories From Patients and Care Partners After Arts-based Parkinson's Movement Programs”; “Community-Engaged Refugee Rehabilitation Programming Across the Globe”; “Rehabilitation’s Role in Supporting Those with Post Acute Sequelae of Sars-CoV-2 (PASC)”; and “A glimpse into Parkinson’s disease through arts”.
Poise Grants
American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT)
Research Grant $2500
To assess retention of benefits of the online delivery of a group AT-based “Partnering with Poise” course for care partners of people living with dementia at 6 months post-course.to compare with retention of benefits in person delivery of the same course.
Mountain West Research Consortium, administered through the University of Idaho
Research Grant $24,750
The Poise Project managed protocol design, recruitment, course delivery, and data collection for seven courses (4 in person and 3 online) of the “Poised for Parkinson’s” course for people living with Parkinson’s and their family care partners, and 12 courses (10 in-person and 2 online) of the “Partnering with Poise” course for family care partners of people living with neurological disorders. The Poise Project and Dr. Cohen will organize and process data, and then co-author two research articles on these programs for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Poise People
Feedback from our online “Poised for Parkinson’s” course participants:
What people living with Parkinson’s said:
“I believe in Alexander a lot. It is a lot of mental work and it’s more sensitive, more about relationships.”
“ ‘Alexander technique doesn’t take time, it makes time.’ These catch phrases … help you to hold on to it and keep it in.”
“I spiral down to play with the grandkids, but I don’t think that I’m doing Alexander technique. I’m just spiraling down. You interact with the world differently. With purpose.” ·
“I think the main advantage of the Alexander technique would be to help you with awareness. You become aware of you physical condition. You become aware of your surroundings. You become aware of your partner more.” ·
“Even though I might not verbally think of the different techniques and stuff, but I think we did it so much, it just got embedded in us. I don’t think I’ll ever forget when I walk (about my) heels and big toes.” ·
“I am much better able to cope, and I have more hope about life, and so I see that as a pretty significant difference.” ·
“I've reached out to other people and told them about it. I've also reached out and told a lady from church who was just diagnosed recently, and I sat with her and talked with her about it.” ·
“I think she is more forgiving of me now and she gets what I am going through a little bit better. And she gives me a break.”
What their partners said: ·
“One thing that I gained from it is the awareness of the body and the movement. The awareness, that you never think about it in your daily life, and that's the thing the Alexander gave me.” ·
“Our grandsons are now five and almost 3, and he was able to play hide and go seek out in the yard with them last Sunday. Kind of running around a little bit. So that was something that he hadn't done in a long time. … He's kind of putting himself out there, you know, to just be.”
“Just the way she handles every situation. She's not as easily excitable. She doesn't get as discouraged. … Since a year ago definitely she's better all around because of the course. Sometimes I still have to remind her of some of the things.”
“Sometimes we are still using it without even thinking about it when we do it.”
“When you learn a different way, and it's better and it helps you perform better, and it makes you better, I think it just becomes habit in the long-term effect. It becomes a part of you.”
“I think the main change has been that I don't take it as personally. (Laughs) I guess it's just accepting the symptoms as something that he can't really help, and the apathy is not directed at me. It's just that this is a symptom.”
“Not feeling badly about reminding him to use some of the strategies that I know that he has learned. Given the language to do that in a nice way instead of just nagging or whatever.”
Feedback from our online “Partnering with Poise” course care partner participants
What care partners said:
“It's more head oriented than body oriented like tai chi or yoga; I never came out of yoga feeling like I was empowered. I just felt better, but not like I had gained abilities or techniques or anything to help me in daily life. This was much more all-encompassing.”
“The Alexander technique helps me say, ‘I have time. I am here.’ He's just appreciative of my responses to him. I don't get impatient. I don’t snap at him. He says, ‘I'm a lucky man.’ Several times a day. ‘I’m a lucky man.’ ”
“I have more of a sense of being settled about my role, that I chose it. Whereas before it always felt like a duty, now I feel like, okay, I chose this, and I didn't have to. I think I have less resentment “I thought it was because of that.”
“I thought it was because of that.” much better than any support group I've gone to — that it's just totally different. It's so expansive. We're not at all focused on talking about the problems. So that's the biggest difference. There are also solutions that don't depend on what the problem is.”
“The physical activity was a surprise. I was prepared to sit and listen to a lecture. Variety kept my interest.”
“I noticed less physical pain, less of some of the aches and stuff that I would experience in the morning.”
Poise Donors
We are very grateful to all of our donors over the years. We have given thanks to all of you on OUR DONORS page!
Now, at the start of our 2023-2024 fiscal year, will you please help us help others to help themselves?
Here is how to donate:
Go to our PayPal Giving Fund page
www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2891341
No fees - funds go directly to The Poise Project. (Please check "Share name & email" so we can send your receipt and tax information.)
Go to our Website Donation page www.thepoiseproject.org/donations
Here you can also chose to become either a one-time, an annual, or a monthly donor.
Send a Check:
The Poise Project
5 Grove Garden Avenue
Candler NC 28715-8902
Choose The Poise Project for your personal Facebook Fundraiser
If in 2023, 40 people each did a $250 Facebook fundraiser, you would collaboratively raise $10,000 for Alexander-based programs & advocacy.
You can do a FB fundraiser anytime during the year.
Chose The Poise Project for your birthday fundraiser in 2023!
Here’s how: www.facebook.com/help/990087377765844
THE POISE PROJECT® is a 501c3 located in the United States, however contributions from individuals outside the US are very welcome. Please note that they are not considered charitable contributions outside the US, However, Alexander technique professionals may be able to deduct their contributions as professional marketing and promotion. Please check with your tax preparer. To donate to The Poise Project, please go to: https://www.thepoiseproect.org/donations