More than 50 million people have osteoporosis or low bone mass, leading to fractures and reduced strength, balance, and agility.
Emerson’s Steinberg Wellness Center for Mind and Body offers a new Osteo Wellness Program where students will learn exercises and body mechanics plus receive diet and nutrition information to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and reduce the risk of falls.
Certified instructors experienced in treating osteoporosis will teach classes in the program. A variety of in-person and online class options are available.
Classes Available
Living & Moving with Osteoporosis (In Studio and Online)
For all the things we do each day like picking up children, carrying groceries, driving, maybe a little dancing, this class will provide exercises that support and replicate daily movements. It will also discuss general nutrition for those with osteoporosis and osteopenia, including movements to avoid and modify.
Classes are available both virtually and in-studio. To sign up, or for more information about our Living and Moving with Osteoporosis classes, please follow these links:
NOTE: Those with previous fractures, experiencing pain or in need of rehabilitative movements may wish to consider attending Strong Bones, Strong Life classes on Wednesdays with physical therapist Nicole Johnson.
Strong Bones, Strong Life (In Studio and Online)
Led by a physical therapist, this class is designed for those with or at risk for osteoporosis. Derived from evidence-based research in the field of osteoporosis, the eight-week class includes a comprehensive approach for whole-body strengthening, postural education, fall prevention and flexibility exercises.
Students should bring an exercise mat, though other equipment will be provided during class. Online classes require weights and TheraBands, exercise balls and a balance pad are optional.
Instructors:
- In-Studio Classes: Tami DeAngelis, doctor of physical therapy (pictured on left)
- Online Classes: Katie Wadland, doctor of physical therapy and board-certified geriatric clinical specialist (pictured on right)
To sign up, or for more information about the Strong Bones, Strong Life classes, please follow the below links.
Pilates for Strong Bones & Muscles (In Studio and Online)
Why Pilates? Think better posture, stronger body, improved balance and alignment and deeper breath. By integrating movement with breath, Pilates helps students walk and sit taller, more confidently and with more body awareness. Exercises alternate between standing and laying or seated on the mat, and are integrated with Stott Pilates principles to lengthen the torso, enhance cardiovascular system through systemic breath work and strengthen core muscles.
Students should bring an exercise mat, though other equipment will be provided for studio classes. Online classes require two toning balls or hand weights (1-3lb), Flex-Band and 10” mini stability ball.
Instructor: Susanne Liebich, certified Stott Pilates
To sign up, or for more information about our Pilates for Strong Bones & Muscles classes, please follow these links:
How to Safely Strengthen Bones with Therapeutic Stretches & Simple Yoga Postures Workshop (Online)
Good alignment is important to maintain the strength and integrity of our bones. New research shows that you can improve bone density significantly in the spine, hips and femur with simple but effective yoga postures, when practiced with correct alignment.
In this one-day workshop, learn the yoga-way of sitting, standing and bending down to prevent weakening of bones. Learn how yoga is a remedy for both osteoporosis and osteopenia, as well as preventing bone deterioration, as it safely stresses bone without impact.
Instructor: Laraine Lippincott, CYT
To sign up, or for more information about the Safely Strengthen Bones with Therapeutic Stretches & Simple Yoga Postures Workshop, please follow the below link.
Yoga for Building Bones (Online)
New research shows that you can improve bone density significantly in the spine, hips and femur with simple but effective postures when practiced with correct alignment [Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School].
Laraine Lippincott, CYT, offers three variations for each posture while integrating therapeutic breathwork, meditation, balance work, and heart openers into the practice. We not only strengthen our bones and physical body, but we cultivate a sense of wellbeing by calming the mind, deepening the breath, and engaging in positive affirmations and a powerful meditative practice throughout the class.
To sign up, or for more information about the Yoga for Bone Safety Workshop, please follow the below link.
What To Do About Osteoporosis – Free Lecture
Rheumatologist Pamela DeLuca, MD, explores steps you can take to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and, if you already have osteoporosis, available treatment plans to slow — or even stop — the bones from getting weaker. A question-and-answer period will follow.
Our lecture schedule is TBD. Please visit EmersonWellness.org to find the latest information about this free lecture.
Meet Our Instructors
Tami DeAngelis, PT, DPT, is a board-certified geriatric physical specialist. She received her Master of Science in physical therapy from Boston University and her doctorate of physical therapy from Temple University.
Rhonda Hamer is an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer-senior fitness specialist, functional aging specialist, a National Posture Institute posture specialist and a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified nutrition coach.
Susanne Liebich is certified in Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. She has certifications in Stott Pilates, Black Belt Nia, Moving to Heal, and Total Barre. Most recently, her classes include instruction in both therapeutic dance and injury prevention for older adults and other special population groups with limited mobility, such as individuals with Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
Laraine Lippincott, CYT, MED, MFA, considers herself a yoga nerd and has been teaching yoga for 14 years. She started studying yoga while a student at Wellesley College and now specializes in gentle yoga. She continues her studies for her yoga therapy certification through the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She has master’s degrees in education and in fine arts, both from Boston University.
Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, is a board-certified geriatric clinical specialist with over 14 of experience in inpatient, outpatient, and home care rehabilitation settings. Dr. Wadland enjoys working with her patients to achieve meaningful goals, use exercise as medicine, and to become stronger, fitter and more functional.
