For Howard Kahn, magic isn't a hobby -- it's a way of life.

Kahn, a Yountville resident and a professional magician for three decades, said he became fascinated with magic during the 1940s when his uncle taught him a few tricks.

Kahn was 8 years old at the time. "I then went to the public library to learn more about how to do tricks. I was an introvert. And through magic, I got out of my shell."

Now, Kahn's greatest trick is to draw others out of their shells, as volunteer in an international therapeutic program called Project Magic that helps rehabilitate people battling arthritis, brain and spinal injuries, addiction, learning disabilities and other obstacles.

Throughout high school, Kahn performed magic illusions in woodshop class. And when his parents couldn't afford to send him to college, Kahn said, he put himself through school by doing magic shows for fraternities, sororities, Kiwanis organizations and other groups.

Kahn, a retired public accountant and former electrical engineer, kept up with his tricks as an adult and joined the Project Magic program more than a decade ago.

Chaired by world-renowned illusionist and magician David Copperfield, Project Magic launched 25 years ago at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Inglewood. Today, its programs are utilized throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 other countries, according to a press release.

Kahn said the program uses magicians as a liaison between physical therapists and patients. The magicians of Project Magic teach patients tricks fostering improved range of motion, endurance, grasp strength and other skills. Other beneficial results of the program include improved self-esteem and social skills.

"This stimulating activity experience gives to the patients enhanced motivation. In the 25 years of Project Magic, it has been observed that the motivational patients have increased physical dexterity, functional skills and communication," said Kahn.

For example, Kahn said, an 88-year-old Alabama woman with arthritis said repeatedly practicing a sleight-of-hand trick using rubber bands improved her hand strength and flexibility moreso than traditional therapy.

When patients learn entertaining magic tricks requiring practice and repetition, Kahn said, they're more likely to put effort into necessary but monotonous tasks. One example includes an accident victim re-learning how to tie his shoes. "(That's) repetition, cognitive, step-by-step. Well, that's boring. ... Patients taught and trained to do simple magic tricks were stimulated; they were happy to practice and practice."

But what would you do if you were laid up by a car crash -- depressed and in pain -- and a total stranger entered your hospital room wanting to teach you magic tricks?

Kahn said when he first meets patients, he puts them at ease by demonstrating simple illusions. Still, he has been caught off-guard by some patients who are understandably distressed by their physical condition. When he once demonstrated a disappearing and reappearing ball trick for a group of children, he focused his attention on a young boy in a wheelchair. "I went up to this little boy and I said, 'What's underneath your jacket?' He said, 'My brace.' I was speechless. I pulled the red ball out of his jacket."

Kahn said when the ball reappeared, the boy's face lit up.

In addition to his work with Project Magic, Kahn also performs impromptu magic shows at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville. After getting appropriate clearance, he said, he walks around the home during lunchtime, teaching old vets new tricks. "The community has been very good to me. ... So I'm volunteering and returning that to the community."

Project Magic is celebrating its 25th year of operation by holding an international conference at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on June 29 and 30; Kahn, who was recently named director of Project Magic for Napa County, will be a speaker at the event.