DANCE for PD: SO MUCH FUN !! and a note about the National Parkinson's Foundation

 

 

THE WONDERFUL MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

&

THE BROOKLYN PARKINSON GROUP

This is our new FAVORITE THING!! Don and I have enrolled in the Dance for PD dance class at the Des Moines, WA Senior Acttivity Center. The classes are wonderful...IT'S FREE...New Friends...a REASON to GET OUT of the HOUSE...we enjoy the one hour drive to Des Moines and the chance to eat lunch at a restaurant...and best of all WE ARE MOVING and TOGETHER. If you know someone with a PD diagnosis please check the website at "Dance for PD" and watch clips of classes on YouTube "Why Dance for PD".

 

While we were in Florida for our granddaughter's wedding, we had a chance to visit with our son who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson's; he asked if we had visited the National Parkinson's Foundation website and I had to admit that I had not. I picked up my iPad and immediately searched and found so much wonderful information (don't know why I hadn't gone there before...duh!). Our son told us that he had recieved the ID braclet (Free) from contacting them and also a wonderful information kit (also Free)...we ordered two...one for me and one for Don. I was also able to link to the wesite for this fabulous Dance Program and found one in our area (1 hour away) at home in Washington...I can't tell you how much this has helped us already!! We knew we had had a workout after the first class, but felt stronger and able to move better right away. I ordered the DVD they offered for at home use even before we left Florida so it would be there when we arrived home. The other day Don's caregiver arrived at 9:00 a.m. and we were both still in bed and feeling like we wanted to stay there all day, but of course I had to get up and take care of the dog while Justina helped Don. It wasn't long before I was ready to lay down on the couch; I just wasn't moving well or feeling motivated to do anything and then I remembered that I hadn't told Justina about the dance class. I thought that she might like to see the DVD and use the program with some of her other clients, so I put it in the DVD player. It wasn't long before we had the dining room chairs out and we were doing the dances together. Two dances later and I had my ENERGY back and felt motivated to keep on moving through the day. THIS IS THE BEST THING WE HAVE DONE FOR OURSELVES and when the GRANDKIDS came yesterday they each got a chair and JOINED IN...GOOD EXERCISE for all of us and so much FUN...when their mom came to take them home they wanted to show her their favorite dances...QUALITY TIME spent together (even if it was "screen time" on the big TV). So here is the information...hope you will feel like joining us. There are many of these dance classes across the country; check out the website to see if there is one near you.

 

Gentle Exercise for Those of Us Who Have Not Embraced the Idea of Exercise in Our Lives

I purchased two more DVDs at the same time as the Yoga DVD and they arrived yesterday.  I watched both of these from the comfort of my sofa and found myself inching to the edge of the seat so I could "practice" the moves while still seated (don't want to get too commited as yet to the program I have prescribed for myself) just trying to e..a..s..e into this exercise thing. I watched "Tai Chi for balance & mobility" with Scott Cole, first and found myself thinking "I can really see myself doing this!".  The lady who demonstrates the routines with Scott is probably in her 80's...this is TaiChi for beginners, older adults and the physically challenged; the workout is designed to help prevent falls by improving balance, strength, flexibility and mobility.  This actually looks like FUN.  The second DVD that I watched is "Qi Gong for Beginners," with 8 easy to follow routines called Eight Pieces of Brocade.  The program is set in a beautiful outdoor setting on the banks of a river with the sounds of nature and very quieting music in the background.  This is a very gentle and meditative practice, but I am anxious to incorporate this series of routines into my morning rituals. Qi Gong is designed to increase energy and vitality and reduce stress and aims to be transformational.  Chris Pei took me on the most relaxing, disciplined whole-body meditational journey and I loved every moment of it...just wish I'd found this long ago.   I want this to be a way of life for me!