A Day at Universal - Yoga therapy at day center for traumatic brain injury by Susan Carley

1. The Power of Yoga Therapy for People with Disabilities
By Susan Carley-Caltavuturo
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) tragically alter the lives of survivors as well as their
families and caretakers. Whether the injury results in physical or mental
disabilities, TBI patients can often feel high levels of stress and a sense of despair.
Yoga has been proven to be a powerful therapeutic method to increase mobility in
TBI patients and provides an opportunity for them to relieve stress.
Beth Wiecerzak, owner of DeStress with Beth, visits the Universal Institute (UI) in
Livingston, NJ, to teach patients some of the basic yoga exercises aimed at reducing
stress, improving flexibility and strength and building a stronger physical and
mental attitude.
As Beth arrives at UI, patients are quietly sitting in a dimly lit TV room. Beth greets
them warmly with yoga mat in hand and all eyes light up, eager to participate in the
monthly yoga program. The TBI patients vary in ability; some can walk on their
own, some may be using a wheelchair or walker temporarily, while others are
paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair indefinitely.
Beth focuses on the one thing that all patients are capable of accomplishing - deep
breathing and meditation. She explains how to use the “Ujjayi” breath, also known
as “ocean breath”, inhaling and exhaling through the nose to slow the mind and
body, relax and infuse the body with much needed oxygen. Beth reminds the
patients that this breathing technique can be done anywhere, at any time and is one
of the best ways to combat stress.
Beth starts the class with simple exercises, leading patients in head rolls, neck
stretches, and seated leg lifts. She also incorporates different yoga poses such as a
bird and tree pose, which can all be done sitting in a wheelchair or seat.
While simple stretching can be a great challenge to some patients, you can see the
satisfaction on their faces when they begin moving a little bit more with each

2. exercise and pose. One patient in particular, was unable to achieve most of the
stretches and exercise since he was paralyzed from the chest down. This young man,
however, remained focused on Beth, was able to use the breathing exercises, and
temporarily “escapes” his stress with mental visualization.
Beth’s compassion for these patients shines through as she coaches this young man
to stretch his cheek muscles -one of the only parts of his body he can currently
control. His hard work transforms his once solemn face into a broad smile. She’s
made a connection with this patient and helps him to feel he’s accomplished
something good today.
She reminds the patients that they should use a focal point, or “driste”, to help
concentrate on the yoga pose or exercise they are attempting. Beth explains that a
driste can be helpful when trying to accomplish any challenge.
As the class progresses, the patients become more relaxed, some laughing and
joking, some simply meditating and breathing. Surely, this is a welcome comfort to
the patients, who are currently living at UI. The patients listen attentively as Beth
explains the key benefits of yoga:
 Helps Improve Stability and Balance
 Brings down pulse rate
 Improves Posture and Flexibility
 Helps with sleeping problems
 Can even minimize pain
When Beth started practicing yoga therapy at Universal, she would conduct sessions
once each quarter. Beth says that her yoga therapy “helps to get patients to a place
mentally, allowing them to de-stress, and helps them to slow down physically as
well.” The nurses saw so many positive affects of the sessions, that they changed
her scheduled visits to monthly visits.
The staff and patients at Universal wish that Beth could lead a yoga therapy class
every day. Ryan Vaglio, Structured Day Coordinator at Universal, sees the
transformation that comes over the patients at the facility when Beth walks through
the door. “It has been my experience working with Beth, that she is motivated and
caring individual. She spends time working with clients both as a group and
providing them the personal assistance they need to obtain the full experience. She
is a highly valued asset to our program, utilizing techniques for destressing,
visualization and incorporating yoga positions and tactics.”
Beth’s yoga therapy at Universal has specifically benefited the traumatic brain injury
survivors, but the therapy can be highly beneficial to patients who suffer from a
wide range of disabilities. Ryan Vaglio added, that “Beth possesses the skills and
knowledge to adapt a program to fit the needs of our disabled population. Her drive,

3. enthusiasm and continued efforts with our clients have allowed them to
retain positions and gain the ability to relax their minds, bodies and souls and
escape from daily stressors. Beth is a well-rounded, exceptional individual, willing
to go the extra mile and learn whatever it takes to make her program work and help
others in improving their quality of life.”
About Beth Wieczerzak
It’s been over six years since Beth created “De-Stress With Beth, LLC”, offering
fusion style classes, incorporating breathing, stretching, yoga and Pilates. Her
mission is to unite mind, body and spirit, while improving flexibility, increasing self-
awareness and combating stress.
Her experience in both the personal fitness and health care environments, give Beth
a unique perspective on evaluating client’s goals, regardless of physical and mental
abilities. Beth’s approach to yoga therapy and personal training focuses on
renewing energy, increasing flexibility and strength, and building coping
mechanisms for life.
She strives to touch as many lives as she can, in an effort to reduce the pressures
and stress that affect so many people in our society today – adults, senior citizens,
the disabled, and even children and teens. Beth wants to “help improve peoples’
lives and physically, physiologically, and mentally to help them achieve overall
better health”.
Beth is an AFAA Certified Fitness Instructor, and is also certified in group training,
Silver Sneakers, Yoga, Pilates, Core Training, Abs & Glutes, Boot Camp and Youth
Fitness. She also holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Associates Degree in
Hotel and Restaurant Management.

4. Beth Wieczerzak can be reached at destressbeth@optonline.net and is available
for group and individual training, corporate classes, as well as group and
private health care sessions.