Physio & Health - Aaron Hardaker

Physio To You Mobile Healthcare is Here!

with AARON HARDAKER

In a world where Uber Eats brings the restaurant to you, Netfl ix provides the convenience of the cinema at home, and online shopping means your retail therapy arrives on your doorstep, why isn’t healthcare more available at home for those that need it? The good news is… it is! Mid North Coast Physio is pleased to be launching its Community Care program, which will deliver a physio directly to your home, offi ce, workplace or school to provide the care you need. We caught up with Aaron Hardaker, director of Mid North Coast Physio, to fi nd out more.

What is Community Care?

The MNC Community Care program is our way of taking the caring, friendly, and highquality healthcare the Coffs Coast community knows and loves from our 4 clinic locations and making it more easily available to those who need it. We’ve recently had Ray Chen, an experienced and multi-talented physio, join our team to head up the Community Care program and ensure we have a dedicated therapist on the road to reach clients across the Coffs Coast.

Who will benefi t from the Community Care program?

We understand some of the most vulnerable in our community are the ones who have the least access to the services they need. Our aim is to provide targeted care and support to clients at home including individuals and families suffering with pain, older adults including those with Home Care Packages, people living with a disability including those funded under NDIS, and those in our community living with chronic disease who can’t access our clinics. We can also provide services for post-operative rehab after hospital discharge along with workplace visits for injury prevention and injury management services as well as schools.

Who will be providing the Community Care services in homes and workplaces?

As mentioned, we’ve recently had Ray Chen join our team to head up the Community Care program. Before recently moving to Coffs Harbour, Ray worked primarily as a musculoskeletal/sports physiotherapist and clinical Pilates instructor. He was the Head Physiotherapist at North Shore Mariners, also working at Central Coast Mariners and Manly United Football Club where he gained plenty of experience in the treatment and prevention of sporting injuries. Ray had a serious accident a few years ago that prevented him from working as a private clinician, but in his recovery found a passion for mental health and mindfulness. This led him to complete his Psychology degree and start his PhD in Mindfulness and Pain. He is so grateful for this life-changing experience as it allows him to now support his clients in both the mental and physical aspects of pain/ rehab management in his Physiotherapy work. Along with being a physio, Ray is also a Mindfulness Teacher and Researcher. He is dedicated to helping people in the community free themselves of pain and suffering.

To fi nd out more about the Community Care service or to book a home visit, call the friendly team at MNC Physio on 1300 273747.

Groove o

LAURA BRIEN

Laura Brien is a local GP Doctor who rediscovered Doctor who rediscovered her love of dance in recent her love of dance in recent times and has decided to times and has decided to share that passion through share that passion through starting Together We starting Together We Groove; a fun, inclusive Groove; a fun, inclusive and creative dance class and creative dance class that fi ts somewhere that fi ts somewhere between a guided class and between a guided class and a free movement class… a free movement class… Which means everybody, Which means everybody, with any level of experience with any level of experience or fi tness, is welcome to go or fi tness, is welcome to go along and have some fun! along and have some fun!

Hi Laura, can you tell us a bit about what Together We Groove is?

Together We Groove is a fun and unique dance experience for adults. It is a mix of guided but also creative dance, where we UNITE in very simple movements or rhythms and then you get to dance it in your own UNIQUE way. This is a class where you can’t get it wrong!

Together We Groove originates from The World Groove Movement by Misty Tripoli. Misty inspired me by her inclusive and body positive dance classes for all ages, sizes and fi tness levels and I thought... Everyone needs to try this! And every BODY can do it. There is nothing stopping you.

How long have you been facilitating classes now?

I did my training in The Groove Method in early 2021 and have been teaching classes since. I just LOVE it!

What made you decide to start these classes?

I started doing Misty’s Body Groove classes at home during the fi rst COVID lockdown in 2020 and it reignited my love of dance! I can’t think of a better way to keep active. And then on further investigation, I found you could train to become a facilitator for live classes, and I thought what is stopping me from doing this?

Plus, I have loved music and dance since I was young, but I found I forgot about it as adulting and life got in the way. It doesn’t have to be that way, so now it is back in my life to stay!

Who can attend Groove classes? Do you need to have previous dance experience?

One of the beautiful things about Together We Groove is that it is for every BODY! Adults of all ages, fi tness levels, shapes and sizes are welcome. This is a class that you do at your level, right now. No dance experience or preparation needed. It’s natural to feel nervous at the start, but I have to say again... you don’t need any dance experience. This is about feeling the music and moving your body in a fun, no pressure environment. Inclusivity is at the heart of

I thought...

Everyone needs to try this! And every BODY can do it. ere is nothing stopping you.

this class and one of the many reasons I chose to train as a Groove facilitator.

What type of music or dance genres do you usually explore?

Every class consists of many different music genres, you will experience everything from slow, delicious, meditative grooves to heart thumping and strength building cardio beats. Each song has 2-3 simple steps that are taught and then you are invited to bring your unique style to your moves. The perfect recipe to nurture your body, mind, heart and soul.

You are also a local doctor, how do you go about doing both? And what do you enjoy about doing the two very different jobs?

Being a GP, I love that I see people from all ages and walks of life, empowering them in the health of their bodies. Together We Groove is also about empowering people, especially women, to love their bodies, right

e focus is on bringing our own style to the dance in a no pressure now. To feel good environment. It is moving your body in about starting from delicious ways and to where you are now, be grateful for your no preparation amazing body that can needed. move. I think they go together nicely... For me, my day job is very sedentary, so I love the movement that Together We Groove brings to my life! I feel like dance is more important than ever to get people moving, connecting and having fun at the same time.

We all know the health benefi ts of keeping active, in your experience what do you think often holds people back and prevents them from trying some exercise?

Fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of looking weird, fear of being uncoordinated, fear of not being fi t enough, fear of getting it wrong. Together We Groove is great because in this class, we embrace our differences, we are meant to look different! The focus is on bringing our own style to the dance in a no pressure environment. It is about starting from where you are now, no preparation needed.

What has some of the feedback been like after people attend Together We Groove?

Feedback from my beautiful participants has been that they dance more at home or whilst walking on the beach now, I love this! Also, the benefi ts of better coordination and balance in other activities in their lives, so important as we get older. And the awesome social connection from dancing and having fun with others, we all need a bit more of that right now.

What benefi ts have you noticed amongst people that attend?

I notice that people become more confi dent and creative in their bodies as they do more classes. They start to explore other possibilities of movement and style as the fear falls away and confi dence builds. This brings me so much joy.

Where and when are classes held? And how can people get in touch or fi nd out more about Together We Groove classes?

Check out Together We Groove on Facebook and Instagram for updates on classes being held in Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. I’m happy to chat, so message me if you have any questions. Don’t let fear stand in your way, just come and have a boogie!