February 3, 2014
Apps for Fun
In my last blog, A Few of My Favourite Things, I talked about a few of my favourite pieces of therapy equipment and I mentioned my iPhone/iPad . One of our collegues commented on some of her favourite apps and I thought that we may all have different apps that we really like and use everyday. I’d like to begin by listing the ones I find helpful but I truly would love it if you would share the ones you use as well, that way we all benefit from each other’s experience. So here we go……
Blowing Apps for increased recruitment of the diaphragm (in alignment of course, otherwise we can’t maximize recruitment :))
1. iBreathe Fire
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibreathefire/id304621145?mt=8
2. Balloonimals
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/balloonimals-lite/id307816723?mt=8
3. Blow out the Candle
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-candle-blow-out responsive/id434064534?mt=8
4. Paper Airplanes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paper-planes/id323274806?mt=8
Blow the paper airplane across the screen. Levels set for easy, medium and hard.
Rhythm:
5. Breathe – the Autonomic Pilot by Autonomic Power
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breathe/id304100527?mt=8
This one works for blowing but combines that with visual and auditory feedback and rhythm for calming.
6. Metronome
https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/metronome/id287965434?mt=8
Use a beat in the background to help promote sensory organization and movement rhythm (for more information you can check my Tuesday Tip on Facebook on Jan 29, 2014).
Measurement Apps:
7. SketchBook Express
https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/sketchbook-express/id404243625?mt=12
I found the application for this on the blog at Your Therapy Source (http://yourtherapysource.blogspot.ca/2011/05/using-apps-for-evaluating-posture.html). If you use this app with your camera, and the grid shared on the blog, you can superimpose the posture grid on to a client photo and email it to yourself for use in your digital record.
Balance:
8. Ustabilize Lite
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ustabilize-lite/id435404380?mt=8
Interactive challenges for maintaining your balance. You can learn to cheat, but most of my clients think it’s fun.
9. Balance Test
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/balance-test-how-balanced/id369244148?mt=8
A fun app you can use in any position to practice stability.
Movement:
10. NFL Play 60
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nfl-play-60/id793479419?mt=8
This is a new app sponsored by the American Heart Association and the NFL. Kids have to run, jump and turn quickly to play the game.
11. Short Sequence Kids Yoga Journey Lite
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/short-sequence-kids-yoga-journey/id418209496?mt=8
This short sequence of easy poses includes 2 poses that favour extension, one that favours rotation and 2 full flexion poses that contribute to sensory organization.
Assessment
12. Coach’s Eye
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coachs-eye/id472006138?mt=8
I like this app best on the iPad. It allows me to import two videos and view them side by side.
Okay, those are my favourite apps. What are yours?