Note: This was originally shared in our fall 2022 newsletter, but these classes are still going strong and the class at F8 has expanded to Saturdays as well!
Parkinson’s Exercise Therapy Class at F8 Training
When the pandemic hit in 2020 in-person events shut down, and so did the wonderful classes at CoxHealth Fitness Centers for Parkinson’s patients. So, when Mollie Estes, former Group Exercise Manager for CoxHealth, made a career move in 2022 to manage a small studio gym, she contacted Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks to see about starting the Parkinson’s Exercise Therapy class back up at her new location of F8 Training & Wellness Studio. Mollie Estes, and fitness instructor Nancy Propst, had both formerly taught the Parkinson’s classes at CoxHealth’s The Meyer Center, and were so excited to see Parkinson’s patients again in this new space. The class is based off the “Big and Loud” physical therapy programming that many with Parkinson’s encounter as part of their care when first diagnosed. The problem with physical therapy appointments is they’re a short-term program that then relies on the patient to continue exercising on their own once insurance has paid the maximum number of sessions. We all know what happens to those paper handouts of exercises that you’re given on the last day of PT…in the trash or lost to a pile of papers somewhere. That’s where Parkinson’s Exercise Therapy class at F8 Training comes in, it’s a way to continue the work where physical therapy left off, with exercises designed to build strength and enhance neuromuscular connectivity. The class is chair-based so any mobility level can attend. Class usually begins with a light warm-up of joint flexibility movements and then goes into strength building using a Thera-band for resistance training exercises. Then the “Big and Loud” movements are performed either seated or standing depending on the participant’s level of comfort. “Brain Games” are also played by doing motor skill activities and neuro-connectivity exercises. Class ends with relaxing breathing and stretching movements to help the nervous system calm down and restore.
Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease
Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease. The power of healing through a healthy practice. Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic movement disorder. Yoga has been found to slow the progression and improve quality of life. My husband was diagnosed with early on-set Parkinson’s and was referred by his neurologist to do Yoga. As a caregiver I was unable to find a Yoga practice where he was comfortable. There were only two options available to him. He could attend a secular yoga class at local studios with many young women that were advanced or at a local gym with elderly men and women. He was diagnosed at age 44 with early onset and neither environment was ideal or appealing to him. This discouraged him to not want to attend or practice yoga. He told me it was not the exercise of yoga but the environment. My goal in becoming certified in Yoga was to provide a service that is beneficial to slowing the progression. I wanted to be able to help him as well as others similar to his situation that are referred to Yoga and create a place of peace and comfort to practice.
What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s is a progressive, chronic, neurodegenerative disorder associated with damage to and loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells deep in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate your body’s movement. Less dopamine leads to less mobility and less control over one’s movements. The most prominent and visible physical symptoms of Parkinson’s are called motor symptoms, and include tremors, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), stiffness of the muscles (rigidity), and posture instability (balance) or trouble walking (shuffling). There are also many actions one can take that will change how they feel and how Parkinson’s changes over time. Everything from physical activity, diet, and emotional wellness. Lifestyle changes that will improve symptoms and potentially slow future progression. A Person with Parkinson’s does not have control over their motor movements due to the disease. They attempt to recover or take control of the movement and it throws them off balance and yoga can help with many balance issues. Exercise is like taking medicine.
In all people, exercise can improve heart health and endurance, increase strength, reduce fatigue, and make a positive impact on mood, weight, and self-esteem. However, exercise takes on an even greater importance in Parkinson’s, given the physical changes associated with the disease. Yoga improves physical strength, agility, flexibility, posture, and balance. The ability to move improves more with daily practice. A practice focused on endurance will help with daytime tiredness, fatigue, heart health, breathing muscles and stamina. Implementing Yoga as an exercise for Parkinson’s can reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes as well. It can also help reduce pain, improve digestion, manage weight gain and improve depression, cognition, sleep and self-confidence This is more than any one pill can do. Most importantly for Parkinson’s it can delay or reduce problems. Certain muscle groups stiffen and lose flexibility with Parkinson’s. Movements get small, arm swing is reduced, posture and balance change. Targeting these areas before they give a person trouble can help delay or reduce those problems. This is specifically true for balance, posture, and flexibility.