Arianna Colella
B.S. Kinesiology: Exercise Science
Cardiac Rehab Education
This semester only one student had the opportunity to teach an education class to our cardiac and pulmonary patients. The only classes that we were able to teach during the 10 weeks were stretching and relaxation classes. Below are example stretches we taught our patients and a sample relaxation script we used.
Stretches above are taught to patients after an exercise session is completed. Most stretches are done in seated positions (modified stretching).
(The above images are from google images from the following sites: Topendsports.com, golf.about.com, katyproduce.com, blogs.abc.net.au)
Picture to the left is the seating that both stretching and relaxation takes place. For relaxation, the following script is recited to the sound of soft relaxation music.
“When you are ready please find a comfortable position in your seat with both your feet flat on the floor under you and your hands placed on the top of your thighs. Once you have found a comfortable position you may begin to close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose out through your mouth (x3).”
“When you are ready we will go to your favorite beach. At this beach you can see the waves crash ashore to the soft sand. You can hear the calls of the sea gulls flying above. The mist of the ocean touching your soft skin, in which you can smell the saltiness of the sea breeze. We will now begin to release any tension in our face starting with our eye brows down to our eyes, to our jaw and down to our neck, releasing our clenches and stiffness.
(This relaxation script starts from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. We follow up each section of the body by accompanying it with, “Breathe in through your nose out through your mouth” x3).
“When you are ready it is time to open your eyes and leave the beach”. From here, I shut off the music and begin some seated stretching.