Roy Alcalay, MD, assistant professor at Columbia University and medical adviser with the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, states, “For people with Parkinson’s disease, yoga has been shown to increase flexibility and posture, ease stiffness, and possibly improve balance.”
According to Kaitlyn Roland, PhD, and yoga teacher at the Parkingo Wellness Society in Victoria, BC, Canada: “Stooping is common in Parkinson’s disease due to changes in muscle strength and balance. Becoming more aware of posture and strengthening the muscles that hold the body upright improves walking, balance, and even digestion.”
To practice the yoga “mountain pose”:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your back to a wall. If your heels don’t easily reach the wall, keep them slightly forward.
- As you improve, move the heels toward the wall.
- Press into your toes and heels at the same time to engage the arches of your feet.
- Draw your belly button in toward your spine and slightly up toward your ribs.
- Gently press the backs of your hips, lower ribs, shoulder blades, and head into the wall.
- Keep your head in line with your spine and tuck your chin slightly.
Our dear friend, Winnie, proves over and over again the wisdom of this quote from C. S. Lewis:
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”
In her 80’s, Winnie participates in our fitness programs at the Danvers COA (almost always twice a week!), the Danvers YMCA, and at the Hamilton COA, too! She was a practicing member of our therapeutic drumming sessions where we also learned a West African Gahu dance, and currently she and her husband sing with our “Shake-It-Up Singers” music group in Beverly!
A quiet member, Winnie always has a smile and a twinkle in her eye!
And by the way, she and her wonderful husband, Bob, joined everyone at our bowling fundraiser too!
Have you noticed that some of the hardest promises to keep are the ones we make to ourselves? Lots of those promises come bearing the title “New Year’s Resolutions”. Truth be known, most of us could use some strategies for creating the motivation to KEEP those promises/resolutions that we know are important.
Take heart and take a look at these helpful tips from the National Parkinson Foundation! As for me, at this moment, three cheers for the dog in the cartoon!
“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
“The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you find yourself.” -Mark Caine
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn
“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.” – Anonymous
“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.” – Anonymous
“When nothing is going right, go left.” – Anonymous
“I did a push-up today. Well, actually, I fell down but I had to use my arms to get up – so, close enough!” – Anonymous
This was an amazing day for over 100 people who gathered for our “Managing Life with Parkinson’s” symposium in Danvers!
We partnered with the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Mass Chapter (APDA) to host healthcare presentations that spanned the importance of maintaining a social life and building resilience, understanding the role of blood pressure, and how Parkinson’s-specialized occupational, physical, and speech therapy programs become tools for creating independence and wellness.
To learn more about the programs represented today, please visit the following web sites:
- APDA MA Chapter Information and Referral Center at Boston University Medical Center: http://apdama.org
- Blood Pressure Information: http://NOHMatters.com
- Health Quality of Life Lab, Tufts University: http://ase.tufts.edu/hql/
- Center for Balance, Mobility, and Wellness: https://www.gordon.edu/balance/therapy
- Speech & Swallowing Therapy: http://speechtherapygroup.net/therapist/
- Lee Silverman Voice Therapy for Parkinson’s: http://www.insightspeechpathology.com/lsvt
Our G.O.A.L. has always been to provide ways for people with Parkinson’s to Go On Actively Living. click here for class locations and times
We’re excited to partner with Josh Freedland, owner of Marblehead’s Brain & Body Performance of Boston, to integrate our ability-based physical workouts that include boxing with Josh’s exercise-enhanced cognitive training that empowers participants with better awareness, mental focus and decision making skills.
Quoting Josh: “Every athlete goes to the gym working on his or her body…but they don’t train their brains – why not?”
While the NeuroTracker system was not created solely for Parkinson’s disease, Josh’s segment of the program will utilize research-driven technologies and specialized combinations of both physical and cognitive training to help “re-wire” the brain, especially in those with neuro-generative medical conditions and declining cognitive function.
Location: Perfect Balance Conditioning, 63 1/2 Jefferson Avenue, Salem
When: Saturdays – 10:00 – 11:15 AM and Thursdays – 1:00 – 2:00 PM
To accommodate members’ schedules, especially those who are still working during the week and wanted a Saturday class, days are interchangeable.
We’re offering a FREE introductory visit! Come try us out!
Following a well-attended and successful five-week trial run this summer, our new singing program is now continuing forward through December!
The Beverly COA has graciously allowed us to schedule sessions on pre-determined Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Our music therapist instructor, Emily Interrante, is a joy to work with! She teaches vocal warm-up exercises that help improve breath control and sound projection, both of which affect communication. By the time we finish practicing tongue twisters and singing all kinds of music, tight facial muscles relax into smiles.
In the words of Beverly COA Executive Director, MaryAnn Holak, “I am so delighted we get to host this program! I love the sound of music in our building!”
Thank you, MaryAnn and Patti Rice, for making us feel so welcome! We hope more people will venture to the center to join us.
A reminder about the dates: September 19 and 26, October 3 and 24, November 7, 21, an 28, December 5 and 19.
For this week’s second music therapy singing session, the word “back” refers to a simple song we learned as children and how practicing it can affect the “future” for the use of our voices.
At one point, seventeen men and women divided into three sections to sing the simple musical round, “Frere Jacques”. That song is the “back” part…back to childhood, when most of us learned that song during music class in elementary school or at camp.
The “future” is what we’re singing toward, including improved voice projection, better breathing stamina, stronger swallowing muscles, and more relaxed facial expressions.
Here are the lyrics…why not invite someone to sing it as a round with you!
“Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les Matines! Sonnez les Matines!
Ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong!”
After that exercise, we sang songs made familiar by John Denver, Julie Andrews, Mitch Miller, Peter, Paul & Mary, and others! Come join us for what comes next!
Our class members are doing just what the doctor ordered – enjoying life! They’re sailing, swimming, fishing, winning golf tournaments, camping, entertaining out-of-town family and friends, sitting in front of the air conditioners and fans…and those are just a FEW of the activities still taking place due to September’s warm days and nights!
We’ve re-scheduled boxing until October. Keep an eye toward emails and blog posts for notifications of the start date!