avg_rating: 4.07
name: Matthew Sanford
about: Matthew Sanford once led an ordinary life in a loving family. But at the age of 13, a devastating car crash took the lives of his father and sister and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Advice from his doctors to “forget his lower body,” however, was what really crippled Sanford, leading him to ignore his once-athletic body, until at age 25 he discovered yoga and the healing power of the mind-body connection. Now 47 and still paralyzed, Matthew has inspired and enhanced the lives of thousands as a leading voice in the integrative health movement, a nationally recognized yoga teacher, award-winning author, and an accomplished public speaker. His inspirational story proves that a mind-body approach to trauma and loss can enhance quality Matthew Sanford once led an ordinary life in a loving family. But at the age of 13, a devastating car crash took the lives of his father and sister and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Advice from his doctors to “forget his lower body,” however, was what really crippled Sanford, leading him to ignore his once-athletic body, until at age 25 he discovered yoga and the healing power of the mind-body connection. Now 47 and still paralyzed, Matthew has inspired and enhanced the lives of thousands as a leading voice in the integrative health movement, a nationally recognized yoga teacher, award-winning author, and an accomplished public speaker. His inspirational story proves that a mind-body approach to trauma and loss can enhance quality of life. He wants the world to know that healing is possible even when a cure is not.Sanford’s pioneering work began in 1998 when he started teaching an adaptive yoga class for people living with a wide range of disabilities. Realizing all individuals could benefit from having a deeper connection between mind and body, he founded Mind Body Solutions in 2002, a non-profit 501c(3) organization dedicated to transforming trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body. Mind Body Solutions is redefining ability and disability by offering a variety of resources, workshops and classes. In 2011, Sanford and Mind Body Solutions created, "Beyond Disability: A Yoga Practice with Matthew Sanford,” a ‘how to’ seated practice benefiting anyone with limited mobility, be it the result of a disability such as paralysis, cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury, injury from military duty, even aging and diabetes.Sanford delivers keynote presentations and teaches workshops at national yoga conferences and major yoga studios around the country; presents seminars to major health care organizations, including the Mayo Clinic and Sharp’s Hospital; and is a valued corporate speaker, bringing his innovative message to companies through speeches, workshops and programs. Corporate clients include Medtronic, Best Buy, Target and Cargill.Sanford is using his pioneering experience with yoga, paralysis and disability to transform our current approach to rehabilitation, which includes a growing initiative for veterans. In 2007, Sanford served as a keynote presenter at Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Initiative, a forum that brought together renowned leaders in integrative medicine and healing therapies.Sanford shares his philosophy on the importance of the mind-body relationship in his award-winning book WAKING: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence. In 2007, Waking received both a Minnesota Book Award and Northeastern Minnesota Book Award.Sanford received a Karma Yoga Award (2003) from Yoga Journal for his work as founder of Mind Body Solutions, which also operates a yoga studio for traditional students. He also received the Judd Jacobson Memorial Award (2004) for his work with yoga and disabilities and KARE-TV’s Eleven Who Care Award (2007) for his years of service teaching adaptive yoga in the community. In 2008, Sanford was recognized as a national hero with a Volvo For Life Award. View Sanford’s Volvo documentary on YouTube. Sanford received the 2010 “Pioneer in Integrative Medicine” award from the Institute for Health &amp; Healing at California Pacific Medical Center, one of the most comprehensive integrative medicine programs in the nation. Past honorees include Doctors Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish and Dr. Mehmet Oz. He has been featured throughout the media including the Today Show, Dr. Oz/Oprah &amp; Friends, People Magazine, and Natural Health.Sanford graduated with a BA in philosophy from the University of Minnesota, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, and received a Master of Arts from the University of Santa Barbara in philosophy. A documentary on Sanford’s life and work is currently being developed. Sanford lives in Orono, Minn. For more information visit: www.mat ...more