Conference Clinics
First Swim Clinic
The goals of the course are to teach users how to appropriately apply swimming as an exercise modality and to review pool safety, transfers, and prosthetic limb management around the water. First Swim reviews basic elements of swim strokes and the compensations often required for individuals with limb loss.
Beginner: Thursday, Aug 3
Our first class will focus on how to transition in and out of the pool, flotation, breathing, kicking, and basic freestyle. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.
Intermediate: Friday, Aug 4
This class will focus on transitioning in and out of the pool, improved freestyle, and backstroke. We’ll also provide an introduction to open water techniques. While the bulk of this class is focused on intermediate, we will section off part of the pool to continue working with beginners. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.
Advanced: Saturday, Aug 5
Our last class will focus on transitioning in and out of the pool, work on the four swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), open water swimming (Triathlon), cadence, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 Max). While the bulk of this class is focused on advanced, we will section off part of the pool to continue working with beginners. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.
All Levels Morning Yoga for Strength, Balance, and Ease
7:00-8:00 a.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Begin your morning with energizing and grounding yoga. In this clinic, you will explore breathing practices, experience how to strengthen and lengthen your body, play with balance, work the core, and finish with a peaceful relaxation. All levels are welcome. You will be guided through a yoga sequence that includes modifications to accommodate skill level and level of limb loss or limitation. Yoga can be done seated, standing, or lying down, and with or without a prosthesis. Please dress comfortably and come explore how yoga can support your well-being.
Evening Yoga for Grounding and Stress Release
6:00-6:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Unwind at the end of the day with soothing breath practices and a calming range of motion movements. Conclude the evening by experiencing a guided meditation designed to provide deep rest, peace, and calm. All levels are welcome. Yoga can be done standing seated, or lying down, with or without a prosthesis, and the meditation can be done seated or lying down.
Heather Thamer, Experienced Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500, Accessible Yoga Teacher, and Master Teacher and Co-Director of Y4A Yoga for Amputees
Heather has been teaching yoga since 2006 and adaptive yoga since 2010. Since becoming a yoga teacher in 2006, Heather has taught classes for all ages, specializing in yoga for older populations and those affected by cancer, limb loss/difference, and chronic conditions. She uses a mindful approach to teaching yoga and is passionate about making yoga accessible and enjoyable.
Heather trained with the late Marsha Therese Danzig, BK amputee and founder of Y4A Yoga for Amputees, who tragically passed away from Covid 19 in 2022. Since Marsha Danzig’s passing, Heather and Lucy Lomax, Y4A Master Teacher Trainer, have continued Marsha’s work by administering the Y4A Yoga for Amputees program. They continue to teach yoga and meditation to amputees and those with limb loss, limb limitation, or limb difference, and to teach yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and medical professionals how to teach the Y4A Yoga for Amputees yoga protocol to the limb loss community. To connect with Heather or learn more about Y4A please visit http://www.yogaforamputees.com.