East Meets West: Achieving Mind-Body Balance to Optimize Performance

Dr. Rose Grace is pictured with Dr. David Kaplan and Stephanie Mayer-Sattin.

On February 15 – 16, 2019, 169 students, faculty and community members attended the The Music and Medicine Symposium East Meets West: Achieving Mind-Body Balance to Optimize Performance Symposium. The featured clinicians, David Kaplan, M.D., and Music Educator Stephanie Mayer-Sattin, based in Washington, D.C, led the audience in a series of interactive workshops which unlocked a healthy balance of mind and body. The response from students, community members and Dean of the LaDoris McLaney School of Performing Arts Dr. Hiram Powell, was overwhelmingly positive. The workshops offered an innovative, holistic alternative to students to help them find successful paths in their academic, professional and daily lives.

"This symposium is a first ever in Central Florida to combine the Eastern Philosophy of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation with Western medicine and cutting-edge research on neuroplasticity to offer new coping mechanisms to deal with personal and professional stresses to achieve more balanced and successful results," said Associate Professor of Music Dr. Rose Grace. "The School of Performing Arts and Communication hopes that this symposium establishes a tradition for future workshops on wellness and the arts, bringing local professionals from the Central Florida community together in the areas of music, arts, traditional and holistic medicine to share the latest, innovative research and approaches with our students and community members."

The program was organized and chaired by Grace. Members of the planning committee were Dr. Diana Lee, Dr. Bridget Rahim-Williams, Professor Carla Lester, Dr. Nadine Heusner, Dr. Salvador Victor and generous community sponsors, the Odessa Chambliss Quality of Life Fund; Vitas Healthcare; The Links, Inc.; and Automated Clinical Guidelines, LLC.

A Student's Perspective on Music and Medicine Symposium
by: Jhada Walker, CSIP Intern

Bethune-Cookman University hosted an East Meets West Music and Medicine Symposium in the Performing Arts Center. The event was created to assist in achieving mind and body balance to optimize performance. Both musicians and those who work in the medical field attended where they learned different cultural techniques and tips. Attendees were taught Tai Chi and the health benefits associated with it. Tai Chi, also known as Tai ji quan, is an internal Chinese martial art that is practiced, not only for health benefits, but for defense as well.

Lina Lexine, a junior at Bethune-Cookman University, participated. “Overall I enjoyed the symposium. I learned that your body plays a large part in the music you make. Taking good care of your mind, body, and spirit can allow you to grow as an artist and as an individual,” said Lexine. “During my two days at this workshop I learned different ways of meditation, breathing techniques, and exercises that I now incorporate in my daily routine.”

The East Meets West Music and Medicine Symposium was both informative and entertaining and provided students with the opportunity to discover new ways to relax and better themselves through different cultural techniques.