Brain and Body Works: Parkinson's Exercise Program

Research shows that exercise benefits people with Parkinson's Disease. Participating in regular exercise can help your body cope with the disease and results in stabilization or improvement of symptoms. Changes that participants have noticed by taking the class include: reported improvement in 3 or more of their symptoms and many had improvement in 6 or more areas.  After attending classes for 12 weeks, the percentage of participants reporting improvement in physiological symptoms common to Parkinson’s was: Tremor 38%, strength 88%, Pain 13%, Posture 50%, Flexibility 88%, Gait 25%, Endurance 62%, and Balance 38%. The program used by the YMCA instructors is a 12-week evidence-based program.

The program meets on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Cost is $70 YM and $140 PM

January 2– March 22: Break Week: March 25-29

April 4– June 21

June 25– September 13

September 17– December 13: Break Week October 7-11

Download a Program Brochure here

Physician approval is recommended, but not required. An assessment will be performed, at the beginning and the end of the program, with all participants to help determine specific needs. A typical class will work on improving the following areas:

• Flexibility-utilizing yoga and dynamic stretching.
• Coordination-utilizing stability balls, medicine balls, agility drills, dance, ladder walking, boxing
• Respiratory-yells, cheers and various voice drills
• Cardio– dance, walking, running, cycling, boxing
• Balance-standing on one foot, side stepping, jump walking
• Boxing-punching, offensive, defensive, speed bag

Click here to access videos of past classes via Total Health Works.