Public Speaking • Book • Healthcare-Disability • Yoga Teacher


Public Speaking:

Matthew elucidates insights into the mind-body connection that are pioneering and revolutionary. By sharing his own self-discoveries, he challenges us to think beyond current knowledge and practice, and to explore facets of the mind-body previously thought impossible.
           --Duane G. Ollendick, Ph.D., ABPP, Licensed Psychologist

Hearing Matt Sanford speak was a sublime experience---a fine, fine human being. made me feel proud to share his species.
           --Barbara Stuart

Your talk was exactly what we had hoped for! Feedback was very positive - so many people stopped me to tell me how much they enjoyed it and that they were looking forward to reading your book.
           --Astrid Liden, ABE Professional Development Coordinator, MN Depart. of Education

Your story was so inspirational – the conference attendees were able to leave with a wonderful message from you.  Thank you for what you do.
            --Debbie Maysack, The Arthritis Foundation, MN Chapter

Matt's well delivered message to our medical students ignited much thought and dialogue by encouraging a broader understanding and approach to mind-body connectedness than our current paradigm demands.
            --Jennifer Pearson, MD, Assistant Professor, UMD School of Medicine

…this is what corporate America needs. 
            --Jon Swenson Tellekson, Minneapolis, MN

…It was a very thought provoking talk…I’ll devote myself to living in “larger spaces” from now on.
            --Miriam Mount, Convocation for Seniors, University of MN Duluth

On top of being a health benefit, I feel that the participation in the yoga class brought our department closer…Thanks, Matt.  You’re da bomb!
            --Phillip, Cargill Employee

Matt is a very refreshing motivational speaker as he intertwines yoga poses into his presentations…
            --Rose Becker, US Business Leadershop Network, National Conference, Medtronic

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Book:

I loved, loved, loved, loved, the book and found myself looking at Matt’s picture and bio on the outside cover, saying “Thank you.” 
            --Nichole Hirsch, Long Lake, MN

It was so wonderful I had to finish it in one day!  It stays in my thoughts days later.  My soul is still lit up. 
            --Rachel Gee, Louisville, KY

I shed tears over the course of this book, but was also in awe of the journey Matt has taken through his life. He shares how he has connected with his injured, imperfect body, and has inspired me to do the same. This has been a great book for our book club. Highly recommended.  
            --J Brekken, Orono, MN

To all human beings...young, old and everybody in between...I loved this book! It is everything you want when you open a book.
            --Michele in Colorado (Message Board Post)

I will continue to love your story and to tell all I know about it and its impact on me.  Your story of truth and mind-body connection and human spirit is beautiful and a blessing to my life. 
            --Lydia Holsten, Excelsior, MN

The biographical part is worth the read in itself.  However, you definitely go beyond that in connecting mind and body, life and death, war and peace, and looking after our world.  Yes, it all fits together.
            --Sandy Hawkins, Williams Lake, Canada

I will be shouting from rooftops and talking to anyone who I can make listen about the book and your work.           
            --Jane Singer, Minneapolis, MN

I picked up this book last night off my side table to read a few pages and get a feel for where it was going. Three hours later I hadn't moved and I didn't stop reading until I finished the book. I kept forgetting to breathe. 
            --Farfalla Borah, Santa Barbara, CA

I am in awe of your ability to describe what happened to you and your family and the feelings you had and your reactions to the treatment you received.  The medical world has so much to learn from you, as do we all.
            --Harriet Davis, Excelsior, MN

Your book is a contribution to the world of yoga and to the large body of memoir literature that continually redefines what we know about the human condition.  
            --Ann Kimmage, Brunswick, ME

…it is an admirable piece of writing.  You have a great style, a gift for words and an enviable descriptive ability.  Your book is engrossing, moving and powerful, yet so sensitive. 
            --Alyce Cranston, Minneapolis, MN

Long ago I found that by listening to the silence of the universe I could find the silence in myself.  I just didn’t know what it was until I read your book.  
            --Sue Kilbride, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Read the book, you will learn a great deal about yourself and life around us. I sure did. There isn't a life for which this story wouldn't apply for we all experience trauma and pain, life and death -- it's how we choose to live with it that is the ultimate quest.
            --Gia DesLauriers, Minnetonka MN

…as someone who tends to be very skeptical of anything possibly "New Age," I found Matt's account of his mental and physical growth through yoga very real and very credible. He doesn't gloss over his ongoing struggles, or claim that he has transcended all difficulties for the rest of his life. 
            --J. Johnson, Amazon Reviewer

Reading this memoir was like taking an incredible journey; a page-turner that I finished in just two days! It is about strength: the strength of a community, a family, and individual spirit. It is about the fullness offered by life if one is willing to reach out and take it. 
            --TLC, Amazon Reviewer

It's such an amazing portrait of courage and perseverance!  I found it amazingly compelling, and it made me want to do yoga! 
            --Mary Prudhomme, Philadelphia, PA

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Healthcare and Disability:

He left an incredible impression on the audience about the delicate balance all healers must walk – between truth and dogmatic dictums, between brutal reality and leaving room for hope.
            --Brent Bauer, Director, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic

Matthew Sanford has the ability to challenge the current structural paradigm of western medicine.
            --Jennifer Pearson, MD, Assistant Professor, UMD School of Medicine

Matthew has an uncanny ability to identify the movement of energy through the bodies of his students and he directs that energy to align their mind and body.  For the past 10 years, Matt has been a role model for my son and his other yoga students with disabilities.  I have seen phenomenal positive changes in many of his students as they learn how to utilize their mind-body relationships for improved positioning brought on by Matt’s gentle teaching and persuasion.
            --Rose Becker, Plymouth, MN

Matt knows how to express himself in terms that I can understand when teaching me yoga.  He has unique ways of explaining poses and how they relate to my disability.  He is passionate and excited about sharing his experiences and what he has overcome as an individual.  Attending Matt’s yoga class at Courage Center is the highlight of my week.  He is always upbeat and makes each class interesting and fun.
            --Chris Becker, Courage Center yoga student for 10 years

Several clients that have had the opportunity to work with Matt have said that the experience to feel with their whole body and to be present again in their entire body was a life changing experience.
            --Carrie Bryan, OT at the Courage Center

Having had polio as a child, I went through much rehabilitation and many surgeries. Mr. Sanford's discovery of his power to determine his medical treatment was inspiring to me. This book should be required reading for every orthopedic physician, surgeon, and therapist.  
            --Thomas Gruenewald, Amazon Reviewer

Matt has a true gift. Hearing him speak and work with students with disabilities was inspirational. As a Special Education teacher I am constantly searching for new and creative ways to get through to my students.  Matt’s book and healing touch transformed fragile tangled bodies into vehicles of hope and ‘connected’ confidence.
         --Katie Thune, Specical Ed Teacher

This is a book that can potentially revolutionize the thinking of physical therapists and anyone that works with people who are coping with past trauma and injuries. I recommend it with all my heart and soul! 
            --Suza Francina, Ojai, CA  (author of The New Yoga for People Over 50 and The New Yoga for Healthy Aging)

In Matthew's presentation, our staff learned that there is more to supporting our patients than just treating their physical injury or condition.  By recognizing patient's whole selves -- their emotions, stories and physical condition -- we have the opportunity to assist them in a more complete way.  The result can be that patients are helped to feel more whole and connected to themselves.  Matthew empowers us as healthcare providers to consider more fully our role in supporting others by honoring the mind-body relationship.
            --Paula Borer, Ridgeview Home Care & Hospice, Waconia, MN

This is a book you will want to share with colleagues, patients, family and friends if you are in an integrative medicine healing practice. Those that "get" what you are doing will love it for its clear description of our vision. Those that don't "get" what you are doing may very well after reading this extremely well written, passionate story. 
            --Matthew J. Taylor, Scottsdale, AZ  (Yoga Physical Therapist)

I would like to give the OT and the Physical Therapists from the nursing home your book as thank you gifts... 
            --Sally, Orono, MN

When my client chose Mind Body Solutions to receive my referral donation, he added the simple declaration: 'They are the first people that come to mind.  I believe in what they do.'
           -- Larry LaVercombe, RE/MAX (upon donating 10% of his commission to MBS)

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Yoga Teacher:

Matt tells his story of a profound search for wholeness against terrible odds. He is equally eloquent about his personal journey and his compassion for humanity.  His experience with yoga is a story of healing and hope for him and for us all.
            --Mary Dunn, Senior Iyengar yoga teacher

Matthew’s book is a must read for all yoga students!
            --Rolf Gates, nationally renowned vinyasa yoga teacher

Matt 's insightful and honest approach to teaching made for an inspirational workshop that was wonderful for students of all levels.
            --Kim Imlay (owner of San Diego Yoga Studio) San Diego, CA

After listening to you, I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that although I’m able bodied, I really struggle with perfectionism.  We all have our disabilities.  But your concept of “adaptable yoga” intrigued me and I’ve decided to make a sincere effort to move forward in my practice and study of yoga. 
            --Sue Lunnemann, St. Louis, MO

I consider my time in your class as one of my most valuable learning experiences.
            --Harriet Davis, Excelsior, MN

Your teaching is clear, concise and truthful.  I felt when you looked at the students you saw everything that was correct and everything that was incorrect.   It comes down to truthfulness.  You are completely truthful and very clear. So refreshing. 
            --Abbyann Sisk, San Diego, CA

… I always leave your Tuesday night class with a new appreciation of my body.  I always feel joyful and connected.  I have been to other yoga classes and many of the teachers have been very good.  But I don’t leave with that same feeling.  You truly have a gift of being able to teach yoga in a way that helps your students understand the body-mind connection. 
            --RoseAnn Mathiason, Eden Prairie, MN

…and tonight in class I also understood more behind your instructions - the images of what you discovered in yoga were crystal clear in your book and then true in class as well. So, thank you.  You have always spoken to that which was elusive, existing in the between layers and within.  I appreciate that so much.           
            --Cindy Eyden, MBS student and physical therapist

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