Parkinson’s and Exercise

Excercise for everyone is important, but for people with Parkinson’s, it is a must. If you have read my earlier posts on this blog, you know that I am always trying to find ways of exercising that are enjoyable. For the most part, the more I think out of the box on what types of exercise I can do, the more fun it is to try new things. For example, thanks to my friend, Jan, I enjoy an hour of line dancing every week. It is a way to stay active and challenge my balance skills while laughing with friends and sometimes just laughing at myself. By the end of the class, I have turned forwards and backwards, danced side steps, grapevines, right ones and left ones, and have completed numerous drunken sailors moves while swaying (literally) to the music. Wait a minute, am I saying exercising is fun?!

This week my friend, Deb, and her husband took a nice long walk with my husband and me around the neighborhood. We chatted and laughed and stopped to pet some four-legged neighbors while we conquered many steps. Once we reached our starting point, we decided to continue to add more steps and walk the loop again. Wait a minute, am I saying exercising is fun?!

Tuesdays are yoga days for me. I have the convenience of a yoga studio near my house so I may drive to it easily. While I stretch and stretch and stretch during the class, I am also practicing meditation and learning to relax on my mat. Each time I leave, I feel as if I have had a massage and notice that my tremors have lessened and my swaying has diminished. Wait a minute, am I saying that exercising is fun?!

I think you may be getting my point. For years, I equated exercise with monotonous sessions at the gym and being bored. I have learned there is still a place for a structured workout and I have the best facility and physical therapists available to me when I do go. The Bodies in Balance Wellness Program helps me to get a physical workout while under the supervision of excellent professionals. I especially like to participate in this program in summer and winter when it is too hot or too cold to be outside. I cannot say that I actually have fun when I do the circuit, but I do feel mentally and physically better, so that counts for something.

There is a world of new exercise-related activities for me to try in the upcoming months. I am on the hunt for fun, challenging, yet achievable activities which will assist with my Parkinson’s and most importantly be fun!

Photo source: Renoir, L’Orsay Art Museum, Paris