Ruth graduated from New Hampshire Technical College with high honors and an Associates Degree in Applied Science as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She passed a national board certification test and holds a current state licensure as a COTA here in NH. She has practiced OT in various seacoast and surrounding area school districts for the past 29 years and has been employed by Strafford Learning Center, Somersworth NH for 22 years.
For both professional interest and personal health, Ruth was introduced to the Kosho Hoho Yooga style through a beginner's Tai Chi class led by Sensei Christopher Bashaw back in 2003. Having various health concerns and physical limitations, going to the gym, aggressive yoga styles and high-impact exercise was not an option -- with its gentle flow and balance of mind-body-spirit, Ruth found Tai Chi to be the perfect activity! Many years later she continues her Tai Chi study, acquiring skills in up to 4 complete forms so far. She has also achieved the level of Reiki Master-Teacher, and started Reiki Bliss, with her friend Dianne Mros, also a student of the healing arts. Ruth has attended Native American ceremonies such as healing circles, drumming, and Intertribal Pow-wows.
As a member of the healing professions, Ruth has always sought ways to improve her therapy outcomes with new skills or through sharing knowledge with others. As part of her ongoing OT training, she has attended workshops including Therapeutic Touch, Craniosacral and Myofascial therapies and Yoga for children, incorporating many techniques into her school-based therapy practice. Working with children who have challenging physical limitations and greatly varying learning abilities, she finds it essential to add "alternative" health applications into more traditional methods of treatment.
Ruth is an enthusiastic presenter of many wellness events and in addition to Reiki Master and Tai Chi for Health instructor, she is now also certified in Mindfulness through Plymouth State University. She designed and implemented a specialized wellness curriculum including mindfulness to student programs at Strafford Learning Center for the 2018-2019 school year.
Dianne received her BS in Elementary Education, Plymouth State College in 1972 and her Masters of Reading from UNH in 1991. Dianne received her Special Education and Learning and Language Disabilities Certifications from Notre Dame College.
Dianne taught physical education, grade two and grade three at Memorial Drive School in Farmington, NH. She has been a reading consultant at the two elementary schools in Somersworth, New Hampshire. She served as the reading consultant and first grade special education teacher at Hilltop Elementary School in Somersworth. Dianne is the President of ETA chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and just received a Woman of Distinction award for 2018. She was most recently contracted by Strafford Learning Center, Somersworth, as a Reading Specialist for John Powers School and is now retired from public education to teach wellness and Tai Chi classes.
During a yoga class in 2003, Dianne met someone who invited her to try a tai chi class at Tara Estates in Rochester, NH. Dianne has been studying the Kosho Hoho Yooga style with Sensi Christopher Bashaw since that first trial class!
Dianne was attuned to Kokoro Ryu Reiki Level one. She received certification in Level 2 of the Kokoro Ryu Reiki System of the Healing Arts. Dianne received certification for Kokoro Ryu Reiki Master/Teacher Level 3 in June 2007. Dianne is now certified to teach Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance. Dianne and her friend, Ruth Ashley, have started Reiki Bliss (http://www.freewebs.com/reikibliss). They have presented two Balance Body and Breath workshops to the NEA-NH Para Educators.
Dianne has led ongoing tai chi classes for Marshwood Adult Education in South Berwick, Maine. She also now teaches tai chi at the Dover, NH Senior Center.
Books that Dianne has read in her self-study include the following: tai chi mind and body by William CC Chen, Beginning Tai Chi by Tri Thong Dang, Tai Chi for Staying Young by MASTER LAM KAM-CHUEN, TAI CHI CHAUN AND ICHING by DA LIU and Secrets on Energy Work by Paul Brecher.
In March 2006, Dianne attended a Healing Circle lead by Mr. Mike Denmeade, a healer and shamanic practitioner. Dianne enjoys learning about the healing arts and sharing their benefits with others. She is also newly certified in Mindfulness, completing a course at Plymouth State University.
Dianne and Ruth recently passed a Tai Chi for health Instructor test. Read on for details!