Octaband® Testimonials

“The Octaband is an antidepressant.”

Some years ago, I was visiting my 2nd year Lesley dance therapy student and her supervisor, Melissa Sabatini, at Roger Williams Medical Center on the Dual Diagnosis unit where Melissa worked. After our meeting, Melissa introduced me to the medical director, psychiatrist Dr. David Kroessler. She told me that Dr. Kroessler was a big fan of the Octaband and told him that I was the creator. Dr. Kroessler went on to basically rave about the Octaband. He said that when the Octaband is out, everyone takes part. He said that everyone holds onto it and "Everyone smiles. It's an antidepressant." 

"I use this tool multiple times a week in my dance with elders work! It brings people together and I love how they can see the impact of their movement through the bands. Many ask for the Octaband during my groups!" ~ Whitney Lee Peruzzi, dance/movement therapist, program manager at Memory Care Assisted Living at NewBridge on the Charles

"I love Using the Octaband in my Joy Workshops! People are instantly transformed!” “My very favorite tool for connection with all ages and stages!" ~ - Julie Plaut Schreiber, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Grief Movement Guide at Connecting The Peaces, Board Member at Center for a Loving Workplace

"I'm a retired music therapist.  I used the Octaband in my classes for many years after purchasing it for my school at a music therapy conference.  I used it for group dance activities and my students loved it. It kept them engaged but didn't require physical contact.  I am now doing part time work privately and at a local music studio with young children so decided I needed to have my own.  I will certainly share photos and stories as I am able.  Thank you!" ~ - Beth McLaughlin, MSE, MT-BC

"Whenever I have someone who is not participating and I bring out the Octaband, a shift happens and there are smiles all around. I never teach a class without having it as my most important resource." ~ Lynne Bauer

Hi Donna ...

I am a dance teacher who specialises in working with people with disabilities on the NSW Central Coast. I have a small business called Social Shindig Services and I also work for Perform-Ability. I purchased your Octaband last year & have been meaning to email & send pictures but as a working mum with two kids under 6, time just keeps getting away from me. But I'm here now, so inspired by your newsletter.

The attached pictures are from my Fun, Fit, Dance! program on a Saturday. It's a 3 hour class which incorporates dance and fitness. My clients predominantly have intellectual disabilities but there are a few with physical disabilities too. Everyone LOVES the Octaband! We do a warm-up to Octopus' Garden and then play team bonding games with bean bags & beach balls. A few clients with Asperger's love to lie under the band & have it bounce above them. I have also started choreographing a routine to Sia's "Elastic Heart" with a group and it's looking like it might be a performance piece at the end of the year. I have also brought it out at my classes for kids with disabilities, as well as for my own kids & their friends, and EVERYONE loves it!! It's especially popular for people who think they can't dance. It's a wonderful piece of inclusive equipment. The attached pictures are from my Fun, Fit, Dance! program on a Saturday. It's a 3 hour class which incorporates dance and fitness. My clients predominantly have intellectual disabilities but there are a few with physical disabilities too. Everyone LOVES the Octaband! We do a warm-up to Octopus' Garden and then play team bonding games with bean bags & beach balls. A few clients with Asperger's love to lie under the band & have it bounce above them. I have also started choreographing a routine to Sia's "Elastic Heart" with a group and it's looking like it might be a performance piece at the end of the year. I have also brought it out at my classes for kids with disabilities, as well as for my own kids & their friends, and EVERYONE loves it!! It's especially popular for people who think they can't dance. It's a wonderful piece of inclusive equipment. 

I thought you would also love to know that at the end of each term, my Fun, Fit, Dance group walks around to our local nursing home, Bluewave Living and we perform for their beautiful residents with dementia. It is an amazing experience for us as performers and the audience. Many of the residents come alive when they see the passion and enthusiasm from our group, and it gives everyone a wonderful sense of community and belonging. You can see pictures of this on our Facebook page.

Anyway, thank you for creating the amazing Octaband, I love your newsletters, I love learning how other people use the Octaband, and I love being inspired and continually improving how we as dance teachers can positively impact people's lives through dance and movement."

~ Lauren Schutte