A leading voice for change, Matthew Sanford has inspired and enhanced the lives of thousands as he demystifies the mind-body connection through his work as an author, speaker and yoga teacher. Paralyzed at age 13 in a devastating car accident that killed his sister and father, Sanford followed the advice of doctors to "forget his lower body" until at age 25 he discovered yoga and the healing power of the mind-body connection.

Now 43, Sanford brings his powerful message of healing to healthcare, corporate, yoga and general audiences nationwide, including Mayo Clinic, Sharp's Hospital and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Yoga Journal's national yoga conferences, Medtronic, Best Buy, Target and Cargill. Sanford's pioneering work began in 1998, teaching an adaptive yoga class for people living with a wide range of disabilities. Realizing all people could benefit by having a deeper connection between mind and body, he founded Mind Body Solutions in 2001, a non-profit 501c(3) organization dedicated to transforming trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body. Mind Body Solutions also operates a yoga studio for traditional students in Minnetonka, Minn.

Sanford is using his pioneering experience with yoga, paralysis and disability to transform our current approach to rehabilitation, which includes a growing initiative for veterans. In 2007, he served as a keynote presenter at Donna Karan's Urban Zen Initiative, a forum that brought together renowned leaders in integrative medicine and healing therapies. In 2008, Mind Body Solutions began developing programs to serve its four basic target audiences—the end-user (people living with disabilities), their family and caregivers, medical and rehabilitation professionals, and yoga teachers. Current projects include: developing booklets, DVDs, and online opportunities to help people living with disabilities integrate a mind-body practice into their every day lives; offering Introduction to Adaptive Yoga classes in the Twin Cities where participants learn simple mind-body techniques and practices; and training yoga teachers from around the country on techniques for adapting yoga for people living with disabilities. Sanford is currently leading a groundbreaking pilot program at Courage Center, a leading transitional rehabilitation facility in Minnesota. The program incorporates a mind-body approach into the rehabilitation process while measuring outcomes.

Sanford shares his philosophy on the importance of the mind-body relationship in his critically acclaimed memoir WAKING: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence (Rodale 2006/paperback 2008). In 2007, Waking received both a Minnesota Book Award and Northeastern Minnesota Book Award.

Sanford's other honors include the Yoga Journal's Karma Yoga Award, the Judd Jacobson Memorial Award and the Eleven Who Care Award from KARE-TV. In 2008, Sanford was recognized as a national hero when he won a Volvo For Life Award. His inspirational story and life's work has captured the attention of national media including the NBC Today Show; People Magazine; Natural Health; Dr. Oz/Oprah & Friends, XM 156; Voices of America Hosted by Sen. Bill Bradley; and Speaking of Faith.