What is RGM?

NZ Respiratory Award recipient, Gary Syme

When Gary Syme was first diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), he didn’t even know what it was. Four years later Gary is the recipient of an NZ Respiratory Achievers Award for his work as the volunteer organizer of the Bishopdale Better Breathing Group.

After Gary’s initial diagnosis he attended a Pulmonary Rehab course. This eight-week programme is run by the Integrated Community Respiratory service and is the only evidence-based intervention available for people with COPD.

RGM stands for the Ronnie Gardiner Method. It’s an innovative, multi-sensory exercise session for the brain in which rhythm, music, verbalisation and movement are used to stimulate both cognitive and motor skills. If that sounds rather technical and daunting, don’t worry it isn’t really. The sessions are in fact a lot of fun and suitable for anyone with or without a musical background.

The creator of RGM is Ronnie Gardiner, an energetic 90-yearold Afro-American Jazz Drummer who hails from Rhode Island in the United States. He decided to create a means by which he could use his understanding of rhythm, music, and movement to enhance cognitive learning and neuroplasticity in the minds of those who practised it and there are now RGM practitioners worldwide working with older adults and people with neurological conditions. An added benefit is that RGM can be done seated or standing or a combination of both.

Winter Course at Age Concern

Due to generous funding from the

Hope Foundation we are delighted to be able to offer an eight-week course free of charge.

The Hope Foundation for Research on Ageing is a New Zealand charitable trust committed to resourcing the funding of research on ageing, disseminating research-based information about the effects of ageing, encouraging researchers in ageing to collaborate, and influencing decision makers to improve the quality of life for ageing New Zealanders. Their website is https://www.hopefoundation.org.nz/

The Winter course will run out of the Age Concern Canterbury’s Office 24 Papanui Road on a Tuesday at 3.15pm-4pm, starting on July 25th and running consecutively for 8 weeks until September 12th.

Gary quickly learned that exercise is key to helping with breathlessness and ongoing participation in Better Breathing community groups was strongly recommended. He also quickly learned that there was no such group in North West Christchurch area, so along with a fellow sufferer, he Helped organize the Bishopdale Better Breathing Group, and he has been the volunteer organizer of the group for the past three years.

Gary co-ordinates a team of volunteers, leads the exercises, and has created a fun and supportive environment for the participants.

The social interaction after the class is just as important as the exercises. The group’s success and popularity can be measured by the growth in regular attendees; from five or six in the early days to up to 30 today. While the group is aimed at those with respiratory ailments, there are a number of people who have joined the Bishopdale Group with other conditions. They find benefit from the exercise and enjoy the support and camaraderie that Gary, his wife Hetty and the other volunteers provide.

Heathcote Valley Community Voluntary Library

No charge for membership. New book rental is $1.00 for 3 weeks and older adult books .50 cents for 3 weeks. Childrens book rental is free.

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2.00 to 4.00pm, Wednesday 11.00am to 12.00 noon, Saturday 10.30am to 12.00 noon.