Lisa Ericson’s Seated Aerobic Workout
Video
Description
When I met Lisa Ericson in 1987, she was a lovely, vivacious former professional figure skater who had been consigned to a wheelchair by a misdiagnosed AVM (arterial venous malformation). She had channeled her amazing energy into this highly effective seated aerobic workout which she taught at Craig Hospital, the renowned rehabilitation center for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
I introduced her to aerobic instructor Marsha Macro, who nominated her for the Christine MacIntyre Memorial Award, named for the late founder of Shape magazine, whom I coincidently had met in Aspen prior to her tragic death in an auto accident.
Seemingly overnight Lisa got the recognition she deserved, and I spent the next five years piggy-backing her up and down stairs and plane aisles, and shepherding her and her assistants around convention halls–something of a challenge in those pre-cell phone days!
It soon became obvious that a video was the next step, so I gathered together the professional talent and other resources that had generated my video, « The Swedish Massage, » five years previously.
This is the result.
It provides high intensity aerobic exercise for anyone, regardless of fitness level or disability, without the use of the legs. In nearly a quarter century, I have seen nothing comparable.
The disabled life is fraught with difficulties, medical and otherwise. Sadly, Lisa is no longer with us, having passed away in December 28, 2014 at the age of 57. This video is her legacy; I shall always remember her the way she was in this video.
M.E. Joseph Meyer, Executive Producer
For instructions on how to modify the exercises for relative level of fitness or disability, see:
