Exercise is a vital part of the daily routine for anyone living with Parkinson’s.
It doesn’t have to be repetitive or boring. It can be as fun and as imaginative as you allow it to be. The keys are consistency, force and complexity.
Firstly, let’s have a look at how your symptoms can be improved with specific exercises.
| If You Have Difficulty in These Areas | Focus on These Exercises |
| Strength | Weight training, body weight training, swimming, household lifting |
| Flexibility | Stretching, yoga, body balance, Tai Chi classes |
| Gross Motor Skills | Jumping, balancing, obstacle runs |
| Fine Motor Skills | Drawing, puzzles, writing, juggling |
| Stress and Anxiety | Meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy |
Every day you should be aiming to:
Learn something new
That could be reading various newspapers, listening to radio shows, listening to audio books, or joining a book club. Also investigate the various memory training puzzles that are available.
Challenge yourself
Volunteer, perhaps with a Parkinson’s NSW Support Group or community service organisation, or even in a knitting or sewing group.
Make sure you go out each day, even if you feel a little unsteady on your feet. By using a cane or walker, you will gain greater confidence.
Practice writing by making big sweeping movements
A pen grip may help with control and make it easier to grasp your pen lightly and decrease the force required to move it across the page.
Exercise your voice
Practice speaking slowly, loudly and clearly. Read aloud daily and don’t forget to sing!
Exercise your body
Choose the exercises you need to suit your needs and to maintain your health. See our chart above.
For more information about exercise and the benefits to you, contact the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine team: 1800 644 189
Art the Parkie’s Way
Art for Parkinson’s is an innovative art programme for people living with Parkinson’s.
It is designed to be a “can do” activity for people whose abilities have been compromised by the disease.
Research shows that creativity can be enhanced in people living with Parkinson’s.
“When I’m painting I forget about my Parkinson’s and it forgets about me”
- No experience needed!
- Feel the freedom of trying something new
- Express yourself in a different and creative way
- Relax and have fun in the company of others with Parkinson’s
Workshops are $10 per person (plus booking fee) and registration is required
Parkinsong
Come and join parkinsong!
Singing does you good
- It’s fun
- It’s therapeutic
- It’s sociable
- It’s a buzz
Date: Thursdays
Time: 10.00am to 11.30am
Location: Turramurra Seniors Centre 1 Gilroy Road Turramurra
Parkinsong meets every Thursday in the Turramurra Seniors Centre. Convenient street parking. Drop ins welcome – no formalities.
This choral activity is for people with Parkinson’s, their carers, friends and any members of the local community who enjoy making music and strengthening their voices.
Please call 1800 664 189 for more details.
A fun choir for people with Parkinson’s, their Carers, Friends and Families
Organised By Parkinson’s NSW
Did you know that singing has multiple benefits for people with Parkinson’s?
- Exercising your voice helps to minimise the common loss of power
- Breathing to sing improves your fitness and strengthens your lungs
- Socialising with your peers in a choir helps to ward off depression
- Getting out and about is good for you generally
Of course, singing in a group is also just great fun. No matter if you have never sung in a group before.
Northern Rivers - Move it 4 Parkinson's
PD Warrior Program
Matthew Gray is a Physiotherapist and trained instructor in the PD Warrior exercise program. PD Warrior is an exercise philosophy designed to help you slow your Parkinson’s down. Bringing together the latest evidence with the experience and success of training thousands of people, PD Warrior proves that exercise is medicine.
What makes PD Warrior so effective, is its proactive approach to exercise and improving your quality of life. It is important not to wait for symptoms to impact on your daily life before getting involved. Investing now to slow your Parkinson’s down will enable you to control your Parkinson’s – before it controls you.
Phone: 02 6672 8495 or visit www.activelifephysio.com.au
PD WARRIOR LIKE EXeRCISE CLASSES
Fiona Boyle. Registered Nurse and Registered Exercise Professional. I am passionate about improving the quality of life for people affected by Parkinson’s Disease after having a personal connection with Parkinson’s myself. I provide PD Warrior-like small group exercise classes and Personal Training in PD Warrior-like exercises. My focus is on providing a personalised exercise program with specific moves to improve functionality, mobility and overall fitness, thus having the ultimate goal of slowing the progression of the disease.
Phone: 0404917882
Email: fionaboyle2203@gmail.com
FELDENKRAIS
Roger Bowden is a certified Feldenkrais Practitioner servicing the Ballina and Byron Shires. The Feldenkrais Method® is a universal method for improving human life through better movement, sensation, posture and breathing . These gentle thoughtful movements are an ideal form of exercise that have proven beneficial for people with Parkinson’s Disease who are looking to improve their flexibility , mobility, posture , balance and step length, and ultimately the prevention of falls.
For further information on classes or individual home visits contact Roger on 0411022262 or email: rogerbowden64@gmail.com
Kylie sayers – home based physiotherapist
Kylie Sayers is a Lismore-based physiotherapist & qualified Punchin’ Parko’s practitioner. Kylie travels to treat people privately in their own home. Her assessment includes balance, mobility, posture, sleep, continence & well-being. She writes, supervises & monitors home-based exercise programs. She encourages self-management by providing up-to-date resources and support to help you achieve your best possible quality of life. Since graduating in 1993 she has had a keen interest in PD, working in acute rehab, Day Therapy, aged-care consulting & facilitator of Stepping On, a govt. funded, community-based Falls Prevention Program.
Kylie can be contacted on:
(02) 66242054
0434877565
DANCING FOR PARKINSON’S
Dancing for Parkinson’s” is an internationally acknowledged programme specifically designed for people living with PD. It incorporates specific movement , mobility, balance, rhythm and flexibility in an enjoyable and social environment. We welcome people at all levels of ability and mobility as well as partners, friends, family and caregivers”.
Cost per class is $10.00 per person.
Classes in Lennox Heads, Lismore and Alstonville.
For more information contact
Jodie on 0408 665 275 or email jodielee004@yahoo.com.au
Yvette on 0400 405 160 or
Julie on 0402454654
For information on Dancing for Parkinson’s in Kingscliff and Murwullimbah please call Virginia Woods on 0409 576 285
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PD CLASS
The Healthy Lifestyle PD class runs at the Southern Cross University Lismore Campus and includes a package of 16 sessions on an initial exercise assessment, 15 exercise session visits and a final evaluation for $50.
The sessions run between 2 – 4pm on Tuesdays.
They provide individual assessments identifying specific muscular and balance weaknesses and then put together an exercise programme that includes cardio, strength, balance and functional exercises.
For further information and bookings call the Uni on 02 66269131.
The Uni also offers an easy access 33m heated pool. For more info on the pool opening times and the Fitness Centre please call 02 66203 952.
ART CLASSES
Julie Simpson of Julie Simpson Art offers art classes using a range of mixed medias including acrylics, pastels, drawing, painting and collage. As well as a successful Artist Julie has worked extensively in the Aged Care sector as a Nurse and Aged Care Nurse Trainer. Small groups or private tuition lessons are available. Open up your life and join Julie in her fun and creative classes.
For more info call Julie on 0477 466 916 or
email Julie at juliesimpsonart@gmail.com