Hello From Donna Newman-Bluestein I am so glad you have found these pages. I am thrilled to be sharing
the Octaband™ so that you, too, can discover the vitality
that is released by using the Octaband™.In my work as a dance / movement therapist and educator since 1978, I have worked with people of all ages and abilities with the goal of increasing connection to self, others, and one's environment. I have been particularly fascinated by experimenting with ways of moving which stimulate and then focus energy. The child in me loves to play with the elements of rhythm, dance, music, and color, and the artist / dancer in me loves to shape those elements. It was while leading dance / movement therapy groups  with elderly people with dementia that I noticed the effectiveness
of the image of group
leader as hub of a wheel and the interactions between the leader and group
members as spokes of that wheel. I wondered if group members would be
able to interact with each other more directly with less intervention
on my part if I created a prop to manifest that image. Thus was born
the Octaband™.Click here for a more detailed description of the Octaband’s origin.  Originally I developed The Octaband™ as a dance
/ movement therapy prop, but I have been pleased to discover
that it is being used with great success by not only dance movement
therapists,
but also
recreation therapists,
activities directors, occupational and physical therapists, special needs teachers,
and team builders. Many therapists have found it to be especially effective
for use with children with physical disabilities and special needs
and with the elderly with Alzheimer's
disease or other dementias.Click here to learn more about consultation and other workshops and seminars. |