BTN News: One solution to the problems posed by neurological diseases — such as Parkinson’s — is community exercise programs. As with the yoga developed for aging, chair yoga designs programs specifically aimed at people who are no longer as mobile as they once were because of movement disorders. Linda Faue, 74, modified traditional yogic movements to the chair for her spinal and hip surgeries in 2009.
Parkinson Community Fitness in Blue Ash provides classes that teach exercises to ease symptoms such as stiffness and balance. But as co-founder, Lisa Coors underscores the program was meant to be accessible for those at different fitness levels and concern Parkinson’s-specific demands.
For others, like Joe Schweitzer, chair yoga offers more than physical relief — it provides the camaraderie and support needed to keep up on mental health. Despite the diagnosis, Schweitzer remains positive. She also talks a lot about community and how important it is to socialize and keep an optimistic mindset.
It also offers help beyond exercises, including interaction and emotional support as well. It says something about how good they are feeling physically, and in the mind, that it allows them to perform well with such a large range of emotions.
Lisa Coors emphasizes that even though the program is not taking a cure-based approach, exercise, support, and social interaction are an effective way to combat a sense of isolation felt post-diagnosis. Rigorous workouts and social integration, provide effective treatments and programs for people become physically fit and stronger while feeling that they belong (fit in) to a group of their peers.
The discipline of group training is obvious, and participants are encouraged by one another to continue the push of camaraderie, the reminder that community is fitness. While these programs will continue to change and expand we hope that they bring strength and optimism for those living life with Parkinson Disease.
