#25- Recreation Therapy, Dance, and Adaptability with Jasmine Mathew, CTRS

In this episode, Jasmine shares her experiences as a recreation therapist working with a variety of populations. She talks about so many important and successful adaptations that she has made for clients along the way and the impact of those changes. Jasmine also shares about her business, future growth, and self-care throughout her journey.Jasmine is the founder and choreographer of Jasmine’s Beat, an Adaptive Dance Company. Currently, Jasmine’s Beat is working with students of all abilities at Next Step Dance to perform adaptive fusion dance (includes different varieties of dance), adaptive dance at the Dallas VA, adaptive dance for “littles” with special needs at 4 the Love of Dance in Frisco, adaptive dance at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, as well as adaptive theater performance dance at North Texas Performing Arts of Plano & Fairview-Starcatchers. Jasmine’s Beat aims to provide inclusive therapeutic dance classes to persons of all ages and all abilities, regardless of special need, in a neurotypical community setting or as a need-specific small group. Jasmine is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, or Recreation Therapist. She has her degree of Therapeutic Recreation and Health Studies with a minor in Psychologyfrom Temple University. She has worked for the past 20 years in various populations, including traumatic brain injury units, pediatric rehab, mental health hospitals, assisted living and nursing homes, as well as pediatric medical day centers. While using various recreational activities, Jasmine has often used dance as a means of therapy with beautiful results, including increase in self-esteem, spatial awareness, flexibility, stamina, leisure interest, self-pride, and healthy lifestyle changes for suchpatients. Jasmine has been awarded by JCAHO (Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations) for expanding therapeutic recreation implementation while working in a sub-acute rehab center.Jasmine’s passion for dance started at the age of 8, training under M.G. Dance Institute inPhiladelphia, PA to perform bharatnatyam (classical Indian dance). She also continued to perform in musicals in high school, learning the basics of stage performance and theater performance dance. Jasmine continued to perform Bollywood dance at various festivals and shows, including India Day Parade and KALAA in Philadelphia, IACA welcoming ceremonies in Washington, DC, as well as ISAT shows at Temple University. Jasmine has also worked in New York as a teacher for Arya Dance Academy, while working as a therapist in nearby rehabilitation centers. She has also taught BollyFitclasses to adults. While in TX, Jasmine has been trained by Stretch & Grow McKinney in introductoryballet and jazz techniques for preschool age students. Jasmine has various certifications, including Certified Group Fitness Instructor, CPR, and Certified Car Seat Safety Installer. She is also the SAGE TXPTA rep (Special And Gifted Ed) for her local elementary school. Jasmine is presently assistant directing and choreographing theater productions for students with disabilities at NTPA-Plano/Fairviewnand seeking to expand classes at local dance studios to also include wheelchair dancing. Jasminebelieves every person has the ability to dance and be accepted in the community through mutual passions. Jasmine has the love and support from her husband, Tino, and her 3 kids, T.J, Arielle and Leo.Check out Jasmine's website here!  Jasmine on Instagram and on Facebook!Or e-mail: [email protected]