More than reading a blog

My last entry about yoga was one that made me wish for more readers, so that could translate into more exercisers. I was lucky enough to get the wonderful Kate Stark, who keeps the Parkinson's Wellness website, to post a link in this week's electronic newsletter. Now that post has (in the two days since it went out to a wider audience) recorded more viewings than any other. Aha, so you are at least intrigued by the idea of exercise. We're getting somewhere! If you agree that yoga even just might help your PD, contact Patty at healingartsyoga@aol.com or just come to St Paul Methodist Church at the corner of Galbraith and Miami in Kenwood/Madeira on Thursday at 12 noon. You know you need to do more for yourself than just reading this blog.

I had my check-up with my doctor today. My movement disorders specialist, that is. Every PWP who has access to a specialist should see one. Even if you want him to work with your general neurologist, you will get better care overall. My MDS doc actually found that I am doing BETTER than 6 months ago! How can this be? You know my secret . .

Also last night was the premiere of the Michael J. Fox show. While it did not paint a complete picture of  PD, it did get it out there in the open. And it was funny ... A bit irreverent, but tastefully done. Should be interesting to watch th world react. Your comments are invited!

In praise of yoga

I attend a weekly class of yoga specifically for people with Parkinson's. It is taught by Patty Braasch who is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience with PWPs, senior populations and teaching yoga. ( She also has a sister with PD.) The class is funded by the local Parkinson's Chapter. There are just three people who attend regularly. Two of the last three weeks I have had a private class.

I don't know how to get the word out better, but more people should come to this class! While many kinds of exercise are good for me in the long run, yoga is the only one that makes me feel better right away. The gentle but extremely complete stretching helps a huge amount with the stiffness and achiness that are hallmarks of PD. Sure, it takes some effort to reap the benefit, but I truly feel much better after each class. Patty is very good at offering and encouraging modifications of each move depending on each person's abilities, so there is no need to be afraid of it being too difficult. As always, I encourage everyone to get off that sofa and MOVE!

Spreading the word

Last weekend I attended and participated in the Sunflower Revolution, an event sponsored by the University of Cincinnati's Gardner Center for PD. There was a symposium on Saturday with lots of great speakers and on Sunday-- two bike rides, a 5k walk/run and an hour of PD exercise demos. I got up on the stage on Saturday and demonstrated some PWR! Moves in front of 600 people. I also made flyer for four of our exercise opportunities. And on Sunday I walked the 5K in 43 minutes, then participated in ALL 6 of the exercise demos, on stage for one and leading another. Whew! I am doing my darnedest to not only keep myself active, but to encourage others to get on the exercise bandwagon. The message from the symposium over and over was YOU MUST EXERCISE! It makes such a huge difference. And those of us who do are so much better off. I don't know how to get the word out better, but sometimes I feel like I am yelling at a brick wall. I want to increase the number of participants in our exercise classes. If anyone knows some ways to help, please let us all know! (The attendance at the dance class this week was way up, though! )

More hiking

As my husband John and I have done more hiking (44 times so far this year!) I have noticed more interesting things about hiking. It is a great chance to practice my gait, as I have mentioned before. Even though I have to think about every step, I have the opportunity to think about every step.  I think, "Big ... Step ... Swing ... From the hip." But it is not just the amplitude of each step that requires concentration. The placement requires thought as well. Hiking on a challenging trail can be a cognitive exercise. Where do I plant each foot each step? Do I go to the right or left of that stone, that root,that mud puddle, that snake? It is a multi-tasking situation for certain! Especially if I am in the lead. And multi-tasking is one of the challenges for PWPs. So to train to this deficit, I should hike more!