An interview with Lana Gelb on Holistic tools for Parkinson’s on May 6, 2024.
Biography
Lana is the President of Good Vibes Consultants. She has had a diverse wellness career for over 40 years. She has studied and worked in almost all ranges of fitness in 4 countries.
She owned an exercise studio on Key Biscayne in the 80’s, and was the Wellness Director for an International Fortune 500 company in the 90’s.
In 2000, she was introduced to Whole Body Vibration and became a Registered International Somatic Movement Therapist-teaching at Canyon Ranch and lecturing on their behalf on Queen Mary 2.
She has spent the past 13 years immersed in Brain Fitness with particular emphasis in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. She is a Certified Brain Longevity Specialist through the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, and offers courses on Neuroplasticity and how to change the Brain through Holistic practices. She was awarded grants for 3 years, through the National Parkinson’s Foundation to teach and train the Ageless Grace method. She presented this program with its Creator Denise Medved, at Harvard Medical School at an International Conference on Movement and Cognition in 2018
She has developed an International Certification course for Ageless Grace, an International, evidence-based Brain –Body program based in Neuroplasticity with a Specialty for People with Parkinson’s. Lana is a an International presenter at Conferences and does webinars. She has created “10 Minutes a Day Keeps the Decline Away!” , a 28 day program. She has also produced 2 Global Brain Summits one in 2023. Lana is 77 years old and is passionate about sharing her secrets of longevity and about inspiring folks to find their on how to find optimal health
Please tell me a little about your background.
I was born in South Africa and lived there for 31 years, in the Bahamas for 1 year, in Curacao for one year and the in the US for the rest
Can you tell me more about your organization?
My company is Good Vibes Consultants. I have been a sole proprietor since I immigrated 45 years ago. It’s about creating good vibrations and creating an understanding about Health as opposed to illness- raising vibration as opposed to lowering. I have a formula that I teach to improve awareness in body and cognition.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I taught Ageless Grace for Parkinson’s classes at the JCC in Davie for 10 years and have worked one-on –one with patients for 13 years.
Realized that one of the 1st symptoms diagnosing PWP is Anosmia and Hyposmia and I worked with many on this symptom very successfully.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
To improve their movement, symptoms, and mood! To remain optimistic and positive.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
Depends on the program and whether it’s a group or individual– I do 3 months, 6 or 8 week courses – or 3 or 4 sessions.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Immense effect – if there is intention and self-motivation.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
Affect more folks.
What events do you participate in?
Most APDA and support groups
How does this also assist the caregivers?
I have written blogs for the NPF for Care givers on Parkinson’s Neuroplasticity Ageless Grace and Essential Oils
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Research and learn – broaden perspective- internship with me or take my courses!
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Learning how to be heard, and how to speak with people, not talk down or have any ego…. and how make gentle suggestions about incorporating new approaches & alternative solutions?
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Beats me! All I can think of is getting great speakers with understandable topics.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
I do all kinds of physical movement and all kinds of alternative remedies.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
This is surely for everybody with a Body and a Brain!
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
A close friend- I’m working with her.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
Good Vibrations – the Beach Boys
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
If you do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result – it’s insanity AND Life is like riding a bicycle – you need to keep moving Albert Einstien!