Dr. Kim Byrd-Rider, PT, DPT
BIO
Kim is a hard-working, board-certified physical therapist for hospitals, out-patient clinics, home health, ICU and skilled nursing facilities. She taught over 12,000 yoga classes (1990s) BEFORE going to college to become a PT. Kim definitely knows how to orchestrate multifaceted orthopedic and neurological pain solutions using both holistic and science-based approaches together. She is a national expert at it and teaches other PTs how to do this effectively.
Her planet-sized love of education, passion for social change, curiosity for the mystical holistic world, and knowledge of the hard sciences have now collided together, and she has birthed a star...Firm Water Road (2022); a champion for wholeness, resilience, and peace. This star emanates educational hope for a better world.
She doesn't do this alone. She recruits scientists and wisdom art masters to help her help you navigate as you shift into technicolor living. Cross-pollinating scientific evidence with mystical wisdom and recruiting navigators who deliver beyond expectations is her gift. She has a very discerning eye with a midwestern sense of humor.
Education
2016-2019
Harvard University
2011-2014
Boston University
2002-2009
University of Oklahoma
1993-2002 & Beyond
Yoga, Pilates, Holistic
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Psychology 12 courses
Nonprofit Business Management 5 Courses
World Religion
Doctorate of Physical Therapy while working as a PT
Master of Physical Therapy, PT License, & Bachelor of Health Science, began undergrad at age 36=2002
Studied nationally with variety of holistic masters 6x/yr. Professional Yoga Teacher.
I am a social change agent. I produce and present lifestyle medicine curriculum. Firm Water Road is the culmination of my lifetime efforts.
-Kim
Founder/Owner/CEO of Firm Water Road
Published:
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Books: The Therapy Bible on Yoga, & Forward Head: The Evil Arch-Enemy
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DVDs: choreographer, producer, and presenter of over 50 yoga exercises DVDs for 50 specific diagnoses. Free on YouTube for everyone to benefit from.
DVDs Filmed in Aspen, Colorado
Presenter &
Producer
of Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum
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Adjunct college professor for anatomy, physiology, eastern philosophy, neurosis and human growth, and psychology in San Diego, CA. Produced and presented the curriculum. (California Institute for Human Science)
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National continuing education instructor for medical professionals in holistic exercise. Produced and presented the curriculum. Delivered in almost every state to over 15,000 medical professionals. 30 people per one day course = over 500 events (Cross Country Education), 2014-2017. Read reviews here: https://www.firmwaterroad.com/blank
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Speaker for the APTA American Physical Therapy Association Educators Conference (2019) Seattle, Washington. Produced and presented the curriculum.
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Byrd-Rider Rehab 5-day Yoga Certification (Kim's own brand) for healthcare professionals 2015-2020 in Aspen, Key West, and Tahiti. 3x/yr. = 15 events. Produced and presented the curriculum. Watch course advertisement here. Watch 3 course reviews here, here, and here.
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House of Yoga owner yoga/Pilates studio. Professional Yoga Teacher & Stay at Home Mom. Taught 25 yoga classes/wk. (1996-2003). Produced and presented the curriculum.
Social Change Agent Volunteer
Bhutan Hospital teaching young PTs.
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Kim is balancing on a wall teaching yoga to 80 of the African convent of nuns after a long day of sitting
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Physical therapist to Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity for the "House of the Sick and Dying" in Kolkata, India. Kolkata is one of the loudest, most polluted, and poverty-filled cities in the world.
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Physical Therapist for the Kingdom of Bhutan's hospital, next to Tibet; the "roof of the world," and "the last Shangri-La." Bhutan is very difficult to get into and foreigners are only allowed in for about 10 days. Kim uniquely lived amongst the Dali Lama's Buddhist monks and 9th century Buddhist monasteries for 6 months. (Health Volunteers Overseas).
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Humanitarian aid with the Holy Spirit Catholic Nuns of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa.
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Founder of Firm Water Road Philanthropies nonprofit organization.
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