What Are The Pwrmoves
What are the PWR!Moves?
PWR!Movesare the core of our PD-specific functional exercise and physical therapy programs. The Basic 4PWR!Moves are designed to each target a skill known to deteriorate in people with Parkinson disease, which often lead to loss of mobility and function. The PWR!Moves can be practiced in multiple positions, made progressively more physically and cognitively challenging, and be used differently to target each persons unique symptoms individually.
PWR!Moves help you mitigate symptoms and rebuild functionality, no matter how you incorporate them into your life. They’re beneficial in stand-alone group exercise classes, integrated into your daily activities and routines , in physical and exercise therapy settings.
Live Large With Parkinson’s At The Countryside Y
Publisher: Countryside YMCA
Cost: Free
These two 25-minute exercise classes are designed for people with Parkinson’s. The exercises may be done seated or standing, supported by a chair. These videos were created in March/April 2020.
Purchase Info: www.lsvtglobal.com or email
Cost: $28 for DVD or download $15/year streaming
Videos are designed for people with PD to use as an adjunct to LSVT BIG treatment delivered by an LSVT BIG certified clinician. The videos can also be used during the month of therapy and after therapy as a motivation to practice and keep moving. Volume 1 contains standard exercises while standing. Volume 2 contains exercises adapted to seated and supine positions, plus a chapter for caregivers. Available in English, German and Japanese.
Publisher: Ohana Pacific Rehab Services and Hawaii Parkinson Association, 2009
Purchase Info: Ohana Pacific Rehab Services, 808-262-1118, online
Cost: $24.50 for DVD $19.50 for book $40 for DVD and book
This program focuses on exercises, flexibility, and pragmatic solutions for walking, moving, falling, and getting up off the floor. Adaptive equipment is reviewed. Demonstrators have PD. Three levels of exercise shown. Designed by a physical therapist.
Important Things To Focus On In Your Parkinsons Exercise
Patients with Parkinsons disease usually find it difficult to be independent in daily activities of living. However, self-exercise is one of the best ways they can improve and train their body to reach a good level of independence in their daily life. Here are 10 wonderful exercises for individuals with Parkinsons disease that target range of activities.
1. Maintaining your balance
To maintain balance, patients of Parkinsons disease can practice swinging both arms while walking. This will lessen fatigue and loosen the arms and shoulders. Furthermore, walking while changing the speed of your gait from fast to slow from one destination to another is a good technique for improving your balance. Using a chair as a support, you can also do leg lifts to the front and side, making sure that your back stays straight and your spine remains in a neutral position.
2. Walking
The best exercise to improve your walking in Parkinsons disease is toes up! The rule is to stride forward, striking the heel and rolling the foot as you transfer weight forward to the toe. This is a good way to avoid commonly occurring calf cramps or freezing, making the lower leg active. In addition, always practice walking briskly, with both arms helping to elevate the strides. To aid balance, legs should always be further apart while walking.
3. Sitting and standing
4. Posture and tight muscles
5. Fine motor skill: Working the hands and fingers for everyday tasks
6. Facial exercises
7. Voice exercises
You May Like: What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Person With Parkinson’s
Dance For Pd Video Archive
Dance for PD is committed to supporting our global community and encouraging people living with Parkinsons to keep dancing during a time when live classes may not be available. They have made their full digital class archive available free of charge, as well as their At Home DVD collection.
They are also providing daily live classes on Zoom!
Monday | Guided Meditation | 9:15 am | Register here Dance for PD® | 10:00 am | Register here
Tuesday | Dance for PD® | 10:00 am | Register here Dance for PD® PRO | 4:30 pm | Register here
Wednesday | Dance for PD® | 2:00 pm | Register here
Friday | Guided Meditation | 9:15 am | Register here Dance for PD® | 10:00 am | Register here Sing for PD | 12:00 pm | Register here
Saturday | Pilates for PD | 10:00 am | Register here
Visit theirwebsite to access all of the Dance for PD online resources!
A Local Nonprofits Youngest And Oldest Participants Share The Benefits Of Daily Exercise After Being Diagnosed With Parkinsons Disease
Mollie Axtell
When Mollie Axtell began feeling out of balance and a little uncoordinated, she didnt understand what was happening to her body. As a dancer who had once enjoyed ballet, she knew something was wrong when she couldnt lift her left foot to walk without thinking about it. She was 50 years old and enjoying her new empty-nest lifestyle with her husband, Cal. At age 55, Axtell was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. By then, her left hand had a tremor and she noticed a cognitive decline.
Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disease that gradually weakens the bodys muscles. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, there are more than 1 million Americans suffering from Parkinsons, more than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrigs disease combined. The average onset age is 60, but people as young as 18 have been diagnosed. While there is no cure, medications can help, and exercise has been proven to slow the diseases degenerative effects on the mind and body.
For Axtell, the diagnosis came with medications that led to numerous complications. She soon needed a cane to walk and felt the tremendous loss of being unable to move freely and think clearly. As a writer, speaker and ministry leader at her church, the diminished capacity to communicate was devastating.
This is a diagnosis you never want to hear, she says.
A Power for Parkinsons class
Dorothy Wassermann
Its all about your attitude, she says. Ive got too much still to do.
You May Like: What Part Of The Brain Is Affected In Parkinson’s Disease
Tips For Getting Started
- First, be safe. Before starting an exercise program, consult your neurologist and primary care doctor about concerns and recommendations.
- Ask your doctor or members in your support group to refer to a physical therapist who knows about PD. Work together to identify your concerns and limitations. Target exercises to improve them. For most people, a structured exercise program will include aerobic exercise and resistance training .
- Purchase a pedometer and figure out how many steps you take on average each day, then build up from there. Many smartphones or smartwatches have a built-in pedometer feature or an application that can be downloaded.
- Exercise indoors and outdoors. Change your routine to stay interested and motivated.
- Again, most importantly pick an exercise you enjoy.
Seek out local PD exercise classes. Across the country, dance classes and boxing groups designed specifically for people with PD are growing in popularity. Contact the Parkinsons Foundations toll-free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO or to find one near you.
Page reviewed by Dr. Bhavana Patel, Movement Disorders Fellow at the University of Florida, a Parkinsons Foundation Center of Excellence.
Keep On Moving Exercises To Do At Home
Publisher: Keep It On
Four short videos designed to be challenging and engaging, including physical amplitude, arms and legs working and thinking together, brain exercise, daily-life moves / dance-like exercise. Repeat them as often as you need to improve your individual outcomes.
Coming soon – breath and voice exercise.
Recommended Reading: Lewy Body Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Parkinson Society British Columbia Exercise Recordings
Publisher: Parkinson Society British Columbia
Cost: Free
Purchase Info:
Cost: Free
Features thirteen men and women with PD of different ages demonstrating both standard and advanced workout routines with twice-weekly variations. Intro reviews benefits of exercise and keys to success. Exercises were developed by physical therapist expert.
Cost: Free
Archived classes from March 2020 to the present include yoga, shadow boxing, multi-tasking/cognition, strength and coordination cardio, bigger and stronger.
Publisher: Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida
Cost: Free
Four of the videos posted to the PASF YouTube channel are exercise videos. Each is 25 minutes long. Focus of the videos include strength and mobility, balance skills, seated and mat exercises.
Parkinson’s On The Move
Publisher: Parkinson’s On The Move
Cost: Free
Thirty-one archived workouts for those with Parkinson’s. Videos are sortable by level of difficulty, area of the body to focus on, and preferred position . Other pages on this website offer free recipes and articles about nutrition and PD.
Also available is the Parkinson’s On The Move Exercise Library. This collection of 58 short videos each focus on stretching or strengthening a specific part of the body.
Publisher: JCC Tampa Bay on the Cohn Campus
Cost: Free
Suzanne Chen leads 43-minutes of stretch and strengthening exercises for those with Parkinson’s. Equipment to follow along include an elastic band, light weights , a 8-9 inch soft ball , and a stable chair with no arms.
Publisher: JCC Greater Boston
Cost: Free
Eight YouTube exercise videos for those with Parkinson’s, including four focused on neuromuscular integration, two total body conditioning and one seated strength. Most videos are about 30 to 45 minutes.
Publisher: PD Warrior PTY LTD, Australia
Cost: Free
Similar to Rock Steady Boxing in the US, this Australian app is available from Google play or the App Store is designed for early stage Parkinson’s disease. It includes 10 PD Warrior core exercises for free with upgrades and additional bundles available via in app purchases to customize your workout. Each exercise is demonstrated by a physiotherapist.
Publisher Parkinson’s Foundation of the National Capital Area
Cost: Free
Publisher: Power For Parkinson’s
Cost: Free
Recommended Reading: Ultrasound Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease
Moving For Better Balance
Publisher: Jamestown New York YMCA, May 1, 2013
Cost: Free
These two instructional videos — part I is 10 minutes and part II is 5 minutes — are taught by a Jamestown New York YMCA staff member using the “Moving for Better Balance” approach, an evidence-based fall prevention program.
Publisher: Michael Weiss
Cost: Free
This 30-minute video is a personal account by Michael Weiss, a person with Parkinson’s. In it he shares stretches, breathing, and physical exercises he has compiled for himself. Exercise demonstration begins 8-minutes into the video and include toe lifts, leg swing, leg lift, knee circles, hip circles, squats, arm stretches, arm twists, shoulder stretches, chair push-ups, bicycle legs, toe touches, chopping wood, conducting, dancing, and facial exercises.
Parkinsons Nebraska Sponsored Classes
To continue our mission of making services accessible to people with Parkinsons in Nebraska, our sponsored exercise classes are going virtual.
Monday | Fitness and Beyond | 12:30 pm
Tuesday | Parkinsons Yoga | 11:00 am Live IT Up! | 11:30 am Fitness and Beyond | 12:30 pm
Wednesday | Fitness and Beyond | 12:30 pm
Thursday | Dance for PD | 10:30 am Fitness and Beyond | 12:30 pm
Friday | Live IT Up! | 11:30 am
Live It Up and Dance for PD Classes are via Zoom, in-person coming soon. Contact Georgie Kuhl at
Learn more and register on the PN Exercise Classes page!
You May Like: Nutritional Support For Parkinson’s Disease
Brian Grant Foundation Exercise Videos
Publisher: Brian Grant Foundation
Cost: Free
Cost: Free for 9 videos $29/month or $290/year for online streaming
The nine free classes include boxing fundamentals, HIIT , chair fit, tai chi, core, yoga, stretching/mobility. The free classes are 13 to 30 minutes. Classes are led by a physical therapist with Parkinsons specific certifications.
Paid classes incorporate PWR! Moves, cognitive dual task training, balance training, intensity training, and flexibility. For subscribers, new 20-25 minute videos are released weekly.
Publisher: Rachelle Smith-Stallman, Albany, NY
Cost: Free
Dance exercise class videos on YouTube. Each is fewer than 10 minutes long. Nearly 30 videos as of October 28, 2020.
Rachelle was featured at the Davis Phinney Foundation Victory Summit Albany in October, 2020. Watch an interview with Rachelle here, and Rachelle’s 25 minute Dance Beyond Parkinson’s Summit presentation here.
Publisher: Bowen McCauley Dance, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Six seated dance exercise class videos on YouTube. Each is about one hour long. All are with the same instructor.
Publisher: Mark Morris Dance Group, New York
Cost: Free for 16 videos $50 for 100+ videos
Sixteen archived exercise classes are available for free viewing. Classes are designed to increase coordination, balance, flexibility, and strength through music and movement from a broad range of dance styles. 100+ archived classes and additional benefits are available for a $50 membership.
Re+active Pt Videos For Home Exercising
Publisher: re+active PT
Cost: Free
re+active has posted to its YouTube channel a few exercise videos, including a seated re+move class , Parkinson’s exercise class , and pole walking .
Publisher: Rock Steady Boxing Indianapolis Headquarters
Cost: Free
This is a series of 66 short videos. There are stretches, warm ups, workouts, fitness challenges, tai chi, and tips & tricks videos. The idea is by the time you’ve followed along with one video in each category, you’ve done a whole body workout.
Publisher: APDA Greater St. Louis Chapter
Cost: Free
Three short videos include quick chair exercises, exercises for stronger legs and glutes, and exercises for better balance.
Publisher: Patrick LoSasso
Cost: $14.95/month or $135/year after a free one week trial
A growing library of workouts for those with Parkinson’s, including: 5-minute workouts, Undefeated Boxing, Rise & Shine morning blast, exercise ball, Brain & Body Bar, and Parkinsons’ workout with towel and ball.
Publisher: U-Turn Parkinson’s
Cost: Free
This collection of pre-recorded exercise videos includes three 20-minute warm up/stretching videos, four 20-minute seated workouts, one 20-minute upper body boxing video, a 9 minute boxing basics video, two one-hour Rock Steady Boxing Winnipeg workouts, two advanced RSBW workouts, and two yoga Parkinson’s workouts.
Publisher: Neuro Challenge Foundation For Parkinson’s
Cost: Free
Publisher: Yoga for Parkinson’s
Cost: $40
Cost: Free
Recommended Reading: Does Parkinson’s Cause Excessive Sweating