Testimonials

What clients and colleagues have said about the impact of Chi-Hab

  • "Keith is a skilled Tai Chi instructor who we selected to lead our Tai Chi classes as part of a research study aimed at determining whether or not this intervention improves the features of Parkinson's disease. Keith did a wonderful job, rigorously sticking to the procedures of the study, instructing the class with great knowledge, empathy, enthusiasm, and energy. This was not easy since some of the patients had severely impaired mobility due to their illness. The patients and their care partners uniformly raved about Keith...Keith did such a great job that we are planning to develop a teaching video of Tai Chi for patients with Parkinson's disease, with Keith serving as the instructor.
    -Roger Kurlan, MD, Atlantic Neuroscience Institute
  • "Tai-chi has been a wonderful addition to the inpatient rehab program at the Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute. I was a non-believer but had an open mind. Every day during patient rounds I witnessed the interaction of the patients with each other and our wonderful staff. The Tai Chi improves their mood, their feeling of well-being, it helps with fluidity of joint ROM, and balance. I even note that our patients are taking better breaths and exercising the chest muscles better. I now find that tai-chi is indispensible as a complementary treatment for stroke patients, multiple trauma patients, arthritic patients, and many others."
    -Robert Skerker, MD

  • "Not only did the caregivers attending your workshop rank your presentation as excellent, or "beyond excellent" as one caregiver phrased it, many indicated that they would continue some of the exercises at home and are looking forward to getting your DVD...We are so fortunate to have you share your talent, skill, and knowledge with the caregivers that attended the workshop. Thank you for all you do to teach people to heal."
    -Carole E. DeGraw, MSW, LCSW, United Way

  • "It helps me with my focus on what part of the body I'm using. It promotes activity. I have become more aware of my breathing. My breath used to 'lock up' and now it flows freely."
    -Ralph and Louise Brandli, Parkinson's patient and his spouse

  • "The benefits that Keith and Rebecca Thomas' classes have provided to our patients at the Atlantic Rehab Institute are almost too numerous to expound upon. I cannot begin to tell you how much our patients and staff rave about the amount of not only their tremendous enjoyment with these classes, thanks to Keith and Rebeccas' remarkable compassionate spirit, humor and expertise, but also the number of physical, emotional and spiritual improvements that result from this practice.

  • Stress reduction, improved sleep patterns and most importantly improved pain management are just a few of the numerous citations I receive on patient satisfaction reports regarding these classes. We are truly blessed to have Keith and Rebecca Thomas as part our ARI family providing such selfless and impassioned care to our ARI community and patient population."
    -Kathleen O'Donnell, Nurse Practitioner & Manager of Inpatient Rehabilitation at ARI (Atlantic Rehabilitation Insititute)
  • "When I first met Keith, I had been officially diagnosed with PD a year earlier. Seeing how I had become increasingly moody with each passing day and not doing much of anything, my daughter suggested I attend one of Keith's demonstrations. Am I glad I listened to her. When I talked to Keith after the demo, I was not sure if I could do it. My balance was not very steady, and I was terrified of falling. I had little confidence in my physical ability. Keith encouraged me to take a class and said, "You are not your disease." I signed up and crossed my fingers that tai-chi/chi-gong would help me.

  • The rest is history. Since attending Keith's classes I have noticed a physical change in my ability to do things. I am no longer moody and have become more confident in walking. My balance has begun to improve. By practicing the deep-breathing exercises, my stress level has improved and my movements have become less rigid. Attending class has helped to lessen my fear of falling. I am able to relax more easily, and my sleep has improved. Feeling better has become the norm, and I like that!"
    -Dottie MacDonald, Chi-Hab patient