Linda Gabriel, PhD, OTR/L
Bio
Linda Gabriel is an occupational therapist with 42 years of experience; the last 20 plus years teaching occupational therapy at Creighton University. She formally retired from Creighton in 2016 although continues to teach part time as an adjunct instructor. Her interest in tai chi began 10 years ago when she began learning tai chi for her own benefit. It didn’t take long to realize the tremendous potential of tai chi as a mind body practice that could meet unmet physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of people in Omaha.
Her initial training was with Tricia Yu in Taos, New Mexico in Tai Chi Fundamentals, a program designed for people with limited experience and those with health challenges. She also completed the certificate for training in Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance in Omaha.
Most recently, she completed the 1st year of training in the Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi in Boston with Peter Wayne, PhD, author of the book The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. Linda has also engaged in considerable self-study. She received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 1973, a master’s degree in special education in 1983, and a PhD in 2001 in medical sciences.
Linda brings her knowledge of anatomy and physiology, psychology, spirituality, motor control and motor learning, and activity analysis to her teaching. She also has the experience of teaching adult learners in a way that maximizes success and confidence, regardless of the person’s abilities.