Physical therapy students at Creighton University Health Sciences Campus – Phoenix typically start volunteering with the adaptive yoga program to gain hands-on experience with patients; however, they stumble upon an experience that truly encapsulates the spirit of Creighton.
“The students are what’s getting us to that next level of healing,” says patient Robert Dopp. “Each one of them is their own version of an angel, and they’re just students.”
Creighton’s Phoenix campus hosts weekly adaptive yoga classes in partnership with Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute.
Whereas typical yoga classes are not ideal for those with limited mobility, adaptive yoga is for everyone. Individuals with injuries, disabilities or chronic conditions that inhibit mobility practice adaptive yoga safely through intentional movements, careful instructor guidance, breathing exercises and pose modifications. After consistently practicing adaptive yoga, patients often notice improvements in quality of life, pain management and mobility. They also experience the positive emotional impacts of participating in an inclusive activity that honors all bodies.
Positioned in the heart of the Phoenix Medical Quarter, Creighton’s Phoenix campus closely collaborates with Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute. These clinical partners needed space to practice adaptive yoga with patients who have suffered from an injury to the nervous system or have a disease or disorder of their nervous system. Thus, the adaptive yoga program at Creighton’s Phoenix campus was born.
James Lynskey, PT, PhD, associate professor of physical therapy and chair for Phoenix, has been a champion of the program since the beginning. “Our students must be comfortable with talking with their future patients, talking with people in the public and helping them with exercises and proper movement patterns,” says Dr. Lynskey. “The adaptive yoga classes give them that practice.”
Each week, students who are part of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Phoenix carefully assist patients with their movements under the guidance of licensed practitioners from Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute. Physical therapy student Jade Vella-Wright has found this experiential learning, mentorship and interaction with licensed physical therapists to be beneficial in her education.
“The physical therapists guide us as we work with people of different ages and abilities. I learn by doing, and it supplements what I’m learning in the classroom,” says Vella-Wright.
Amid intensive courses and clinical practice, the students volunteer their time at the adaptive yoga class.
“Seeing my students take their personal time, their lunch hour, to help others makes me proud and makes me humble. The adaptive yoga program is a great example of cura personalis and men and women for and with others,” says Dr. Lynskey.
The interaction with the community draws students to the Creighton health sciences campus in Phoenix. Creighton’s values call those who care to serve others, and students like Elisabeth “Libby” Wolf answer that call.
“This was part of my decision to come to Creighton,” says Wolf. “The number of opportunities that Creighton provides to get out into the community and be around people living with disabilities or people who are going through a process of healing is endless.”
The patients can feel the impact the students are making – both physically and emotionally. Robert Dopp describes the increased mobility he has experienced through interaction with the students.
“They worry about every aspect of taking care of us, and they don’t know us. Those kids don’t know me, but they’re trying to help,” says Dopp.
