My Journey to Vojta
In 1998, my rehabilitation training under the guidance of Craig Liebensen and LACC introduced me to luminaries like Dr. Vladimir Janda and Karel Lewit. So, when the chance arose to delve deeper into their teachings in Prague, I couldn't resist. Those two weeks were transformative, but it was on the final day that my true inspiration ignited.
Dr. Lewit, our instructor for the day, introduced us to Dr. Pavel Kolar and his groundbreaking work. Kolar's demonstration of Reflex Locomotion according to Vojta left me in awe. Witnessing the oscillation of the lateral thoracic wall in the serratus anterior was nothing short of revelatory.
Leaving Prague, I was consumed by a newfound spirit and thirst for knowledge. My quest for more information led me to the writings of French physio Hugues Lagache, whose work shed light on Vojta's techniques. Seeking validation, I approached Dr. Janda with Lagache's writings, but even he found Vojta's work challenging to decipher.
Undeterred, I connected directly with Hugues, diving deeper into his program despite translational hurdles. My interest only intensified over the years.
Fast forward to 2020, a pivotal year for me. I embarked on a four-day course with Dr. Kolar in Riverhead, NY, an experience I consider the pinnacle of my training. Our rapport blossomed during this time, fueled in part by a shared love of Pilsner Urquell.
My relationship with Dr. Kolar afforded me the opportunity to spend a week at Motol Hospital in Prague, where I observed him treating a diverse range of patients, from infants with cerebral palsy to elite athletes like Roman Seberle. The insights gleaned from this experience were invaluable.
However, the shadow of tragedy loomed over our departure from Prague on September 9, 2001. As we attempted to navigate the city's streets, barricades prevented our search for Dr. Janda's home near the US embassy. Little did we know, within days, the world would be rocked by the events of 9/11, casting a pall over the excitement of our trip.
Despite the darkness of that time, my journey with Reflex Locomotion according to Vojta has been one of illumination and discovery.
