By Elizabeth Grover
The Coronavirus pandemic has required that we all stay at home a lot. And it is hard to participate in a group activity such as an exercise class in your own home. But thanks to the internet, the world can seem a lot smaller than it actually is, and that closeness can make exercising at home a real option. There are a number of Parkinson’s-specific exercise instructors who charge for their online services (as is appropriate if they are not separately funded). But since people with PD have limited funds, I am going to mention only those that are free.
I have not tried every single class mentioned below. These are listed merely to tell you what is available.
One basic distinction among free PD classes is live classes versus pre-recorded classes. The live classes usually are on a platform (such as Zoom) that allows the instructor to view the clients and to offer feedback. Recorded classes are more likely to be on YouTube and can be accessed any time.
There are so many videos available that I am listing here only exercise classes and am excluding all dance classes. Here are some of the opportunities to do a Parkinson’s-specific workout at no charge.
APDA Greater St. Louis Chapter - a library of over 500 exercise videos
APDA Northwest Chapter - body movers, chair yoga, music therapy, boxing and more:
Brian Grant Foundation - lunges, tai chi, aerobics, boxing and boot camp
Fun Fitness: Stretch, Strengthen and Sway – weekly class in agility, and balance from the Parkinson's Community Los Angeles
Parkinson’s Foundation Fitness Fridays something different every week led by some of the top instructors (including Sarah Palmer); classes are all archived
NeuroFItBC - Naomi Casiro is a physical therapist in British Columbia who is well-known for work with Parkinson’s patients.
Houston Area Parkinson Society- Yoga, speech, PWR! Moves, aerobics, tai chi, & more
Parkies Punch Back; Boxing for people with Parkinson’s following the principles of neuroplasticity
Parkinson Society British Columbia - extensive offerings, some live and some pre-recorded
Keep Moving with Jen - designed to improve mobility, balance and strength
Keep On Moving with Josefa & John - offered through the Davis Phinney Foundation; Josefa, who is a physical therapist in Portugal, also teaches a weekly Zumba for Parkinson's (lots of fun!) sponsored by Inova
Power for Parkinson's - both live and recorded classes with huge variety
PWR! Moves - really more of an introduction to this fabulous approach to PD exercise, but the only free access to it