De su paso por Madrid, hemos conseguido, gracias a la Asociación La Iaia, sentarnos a tomar un refresco con Betsan Corkhill. Es nuestra primera entrevista en inglés y nos hace enorme ilusión.
QMAYOR: We follow Betsan’s track as a therapeutical coacher publishing a number of books and helping to establish a clinical trial into the benefits of knitting for healthiness, she also gives regular talks all over the world.
On 23th December 2018 we published on QMayor how thanks to the pioneering work of Betsan Corkhill, scientists, clinicians and psychologists around the world are realizing and accepting the health benefits of knitting. Her book «Knit for Health and Wellness. How to knit a flexible mind and more …» has been translated by the Association IAIA under the title «Tejiendo Salud – Crea una mente flexible y ayuda a mantener tu bienestar”.
Now, Betsan is going to Madrid and we wanted to asked to her about her book and its relationship with elderly. We asked Betsan if we could interview her for QMAYOR, and she very kindly agreed. We sent her a list of questions and she answered them very kindly. We are sure you will find this discussion interesting and informative; we hope you want to buy her book after reading this short interview.
QMAYOR: Why did you decide to translate your book “Tejiendo Salud” into Spanish?
BETSAN: Working with IAIA to translate my book ‘Knit for Health and Wellness. How to knit a flexible mind and more…’ into Spanish makes the knowledge about how to knit therapeutically available to many more knitters around the world whilst helping IAIA in its wonderful work. We are donating 25% of every Spanish book sold anywhere in the world to IAIA
QMAYOR: One of the things we like about your book is that you emphasize the therapeutic effects of social knitting and also of “quiet knitting”. Can you give us some ideas about health benefits of knitting and successful aging?
BETSAN: One of the most powerful biological facts that few people are aware of is that we all have the power to change, biologically, neurologically, even the way our brain is connected throughout life, even in older age. We now know that new brain cells can be born and new neural pathways opened even in older people. However, it is very much a question of ‘use it or lose it’. We have to be proactive in our health and wellbeing. We need to continue to learn new things, to be curious and interested in the world. If we do this we can live a fulfilled life. It’s never too late to improve your wellbeing whatever your starting point. Even if you are living with a long-term medical condition, there will be little things you can improve on to make life better. Staying mentally and socially active is important for successful aging. Therapeutic Knitting can help us in all these aspects.
‘Adultos Mayores y Felices’, el compromiso de María Constanza
QMAYOR: We wish to know knit and crochet benefits and tips for senior, what can you tell us about that
BETSAN: It is really important to maintain a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Knitting can give you that purpose particularly if you are knitting as gifts or for a charity such as IAIA, or teaching others to knit – giving your gift of knitting to them. The main thing I would say is to enjoy them. Knit on your own to manage day-to-day stress, raise mood and manage feelings of loneliness by learning to enjoy moments of solitude. Knit with others for the benefits of belonging to a supportive group and the laughter and friendship this brings to your world.
If you have pain in your hands and arms, it is important to keep moving, but little and often is better than long periods at any one time. Knitting with circular needles where the weight of the project is held in your lap may be easier too. It is important to get up and move around every 40 minutes or so as research has shown that sitting for long periods is detrimental to health. The benefits outlined in the Knitting Equation (please print) will help all age groups to improve their health and wellbeing.
QMAYOR: How can knitting be used to impact on intergenerational solidarity?
BETSAN: Knitting together with people from all age groups is important because it provides a ‘level playing field’. We all have skills we can teach each other no matter what our age. It helps us realise that we are all human beings each with our own skills, strengths and weaknesses. It is a powerful message for everyone – no matter what our age, we all have a value.
QMAYOR: Association IAIA is a non-profit organization that helped you to translate your book into Spanish; they knit regularly in nursery center for charitable causes. In fact, you are going to donate a part of the profit of your book to this organization, this is a commendable gesture. What can you tell us about this?
BETSAN: I wanted to support IAIA with knowledge and information about Therapeutic Knitting. When they offered to translate my book into Spanish this also offered another way we could donate to their work. 25% of income from every Spanish copy of this book sold anywhere in the world is donated to their cause, so I hope this will go some way to helping those most in need in the world through IAIA’s work.
It is hard to do Betsan’s work justice in a short interview, but hopefully, you will want to follow the links we have highlighted, and we will definitely be revisiting Betsan’s ideas throughout.
www.stitchlinks.com (English)
Facebook – Stitchlinks –
Amazon.es – «Tejiendo Salud – Crea una mente flexible y ayuda a mantener tu bienestar” is available through Amazon and 25% of any profit will go to IAIA
«Reclamamos una vida digna para las personas mayores en las Residencias»
