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Remember to breathe

The unique relationship between Matthew Sanford, nationally recognized paraplegic yoga instructor and founder of the Minnetonka-based nonprofit Mind Body Solutions, and Bruce Kramer, who is living with Lou Gehrig's Disease, also called ALS, are featured in Saturday's (11.30.13) Star Tribune in Variety's Duets column. The two have forged a special bond as yoga teacher and yoga student, and as friends.

Kramer, former Dean of the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling at the University of St. Thomas, was diagnosed with ALS in late 2010. Thirty-five years ago, Sanford, at the age of 13, was in a devastating car accident that killed his father and sister and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Both men use a wheelchair. Both have become unique figures in the fast-emerging subject of mind-body consciousness. Both write blogs and speak publicly on the topic.

Kramer's blog, Dis Ease Diary, shares his personal story about life with ALS, often on themes of love, priorities, faith and friends. Kramer practices adaptive yoga at Mind Body Solutions, a center that helps people of all physical abilities who are living with trauma, loss and disability, and their caregivers, live more vibrantly and gracefully in their bodies. Integrating techniques that address breathing, movement and balance, Mind Body Solutions’ groundbreaking approach results in deeply practical improvements for each and every person..

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In October, Kramer and Sanford met on stage at the University of St. Thomas for a rare discussion about living and dying in our bodies. Everything in its Place: Mind-Body Dialogues was moderated by Cathy Wurzer of Minnesota Public Radio’s Morning Edition, and touched on a wide variety of topics including disability, healthcare, mental health, caregivers and faith. The event will air on Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) in December and January, respectively.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/233850211.html

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