Classes On-Site & Virtual

Boxing for Parkinson's

Boxing is the most effective workout to conquer movement challenges associated with Parkinson's.
Designed to pack a punch.

Circuit Training

A style of workout performed with different stations utilizing various pieces of equipment, with high intensity, providing benefits such as increased strength and muscle endurance.

Aerobic Conditioning

Uses continuous movement of large muscle groups to strengthen the heart and lungs.

2. YOGA AND MEDITATION CLASS INCLUDES:

Breathing techniques to combat stress, anxiety, and depression.
Improves balance and flexibility
Awareness and engagement of core muscles benefit posture
Active and passive stretching leads to better joint mobility and flexibility
Low impact strengthening exercises keeps joints safe

3. PHYSICAL OPTIMIZATION CLASS INCLUDES:

Group physical therapy-based, intended to be a maintenance program, full-body exercise class led by physical therapists that incorporate evidence-based exercise principles to address specific PD symptoms/impairments including:

Movement amplitude
Stiffness/rigidity
Posture
Balance
Coordination
Strength
Cognition
Gait, transfers, mobility

LEVELS 1/2

Exercises will be performed in a variety of positions, including standing, sitting, and on the floor. Class is designed for people who are physically independent, can participate in balance, and on/off floor exercises without assistance.

LEVELS 3/4

Exercises will be performed seated or standing with assistance.

4. SPEECH, VOICE, AND BRAIN EXERCISES INCLUDE:

Exercises address the following common

problems that occur in people with Parkinson's:

Voice Projection & Articulation
Swallowing
Breathing
Posture
Cognition

1. LDBF BOXING FOR PARKINSON'S™ CLASS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING THREE COMPONENTS:

Non- Contact Boxing

LEVELS 1/2

This is our most vigorous exercise program for people with earlier stages and milder symptoms.

LEVELS 3/4

Specifically designed for people in later stages and who experience greater movement challenges. Includes both standing and seated boxing techniques with one-on-one assistance.

Boxing improves...

Footwork, Cognition
Strength and Endurance, Balance
Flexibility, Agility
Posture, Breathing
Movement in all Planes, Hand-Eye Coordination

CLASSES

5. PD DANCE

Dance benefits through stretching, stepping and balance.

Motor improvements due to repetition, direction change, step sequencing transfer into effective regular gait patterns.

Decreases fear of falling through practicing position changes in a controlled environment.

Improves posture, core strength, coordination, cardiovascular functioning, flexibility, stamina

Eases stiffness resulting in a gain in confidence to move more freely.

Attention required to anticipate movements, respond to changes in music and instruction, changing visual and auditory stimuli are unique to dance activating basal ganglia and stimulating cognitive activity

Emotional well-being is increased showing improvements in mood, motivation and enjoyment and sparks creativity.

6. PICKLEBALL

Benefits of Pickleball for Parkinson's Patients

Pickleball, a sport that merges elements from tennis, badminton, and table tennis, offers several advantages for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Beyond being a fun and social game, here are some of the key benefits:

1. Physical Exercise: The active movements in pickleball, from serving to volleying, provide a full-body workout. This helps in maintaining muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, all of which can be affected by Parkinson's.

2. Improved Coordination and Balance: Playing pickleball requires hand-eye coordination and agility. Regular play can lead to enhanced coordination, reduced risk of falls, and improved stability.

3. Mental Stimulation: Strategy and quick decision-making are crucial in pickleball, promoting cognitive function and potentially slowing the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson's.

4. Social Interaction: Pickleball is a social sport, allowing players to interact, communicate, and build friendships. This can alleviate feelings of isolation and provide emotional support.

5. Mood Enhancement: The physical activity combined with the social aspect of pickleball can help in boosting mood and reducing symptoms of depression, which are common in Parkinson's patients.

Join Us for Pickleball Sessions!
Every Monday from 1 - 3 pm, we host Pickleball sessions at Sandy Springs Tennis Center. Registration is necessary, so please get in touch with Janet by the preceding Friday at 404-275-1481. Note: Trainer assignments are subject to change.

7. SPLATTER ART

Benefits of Art Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease:

1. Neuroplasticity Stimulation: Engaging in art activates various neural pathways, promoting neuroplasticity. This adaptability of the nervous system can counteract some degenerative effects of Parkinson's, particularly in the brain regions related to motor control and coordination.

2. Cognitive Function Enhancement: Art tasks ofte

involve decision-making, planning, and problem-solving, activating the prefrontal cortex. Regular engagement can potentially mitigate the cognitive decline frequently observed in Parkinson's patients.

3. Emotion Regulation: From a neurochemical perspective, engaging in creative activities releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter deficient in Parkinson's disease. This can alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, common neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's.

4. Social Neurobiology: Group art sessions can stimulate oxytocin release, a hormone linked to social bonding. This not only combats feelings of isolation but also supports neural health, particularly in the limbic system.

5. Distraction from Pain Perception: Immersion in art activities can activate the brain's reward pathways, releasing endorphins. These natural painkillers can offer relief from discomfort or pain associated with Parkinson's.

6. Reinforcement Learning: Completing art projects and receiving positive feedback stimulates the release of dopamine, further supporting reinforcement learning pathways, crucial in skills acquisition, especially in the context of motor function.

7. Non-verbal Communication Pathways: For advanced Parkinson's patients with verbal communication struggles, art activates alternative communication pathways in the brain, such as the right hemisphere's visual-spatial regions, facilitating expression.

By integrating the principles of neurobiology, cognitive science, and neuropsychology, the benefits of art therapy for Parkinson's disease patients become evident at a cellular and systemic level, providing a potent intervention for symptom management.