I’m often asked by people new to our program why it works so well. It is always so invigorating to share our results and explain it to others. However, it wasn’t until one of my current fighters asked, “Why is this helping me?”, that I realized sometimes we need to stop and revisit “why”, because it seems so counterintuitive to do something like boxing.
Continue reading “Why Is My Boxing Program Helping the Progression Of Parkinson’s?”
With the recent passing of former President George H.W. Bush, whose cause of death was listed as “vascular parkinsonism”, many of my fighters are asking me, “What Is Vascular Parkinson’s?”
Vascular (or “multi-infarct”) Parkinson’s is a form of “atypical parkinsonism” in which Parkinson’s symptoms (slow movements, tremor, difficulty with walking and balance, stiffness, and rigidity) are produced by one or more small strokes, rather than by a gradual loss of nerve cells as seen in the more typical neurodegenerative Parkinson’s disease. Typical Parkinson’s is usually considered idiopathic or of unknown cause.
Continue reading “What Is Vascular (Multi-Infarct) Parkinsonism?”
As a coach, I share plenty of hugs with my fighters and dancers, in addition to my sweet husband. After watching everyone hugging each other at our Parkinson’s year-end party last Saturday night, it made me think… love is a miracle drug. It is such a powerful healing tool. I was able to find some research to support the obvious feeling of joy we get when we receive and give loving affection to people. Continue reading “Why Families with Parkinson’s Need at Least 8 Hugs a Day”
The performers in our PD Rebel Performance Project group already know that singing and dancing are a magic bullet for improved mood and quality of life, but it’s nice to know there is growing research to back up our good vibrations.
Artists don’t need research to convince them that they feel better when they are creating. We do it because it makes us feel wonderful. I do not have PD, but I need my time with my dancers to feel complete.
Continue reading “How Singing Can Benefit People with Parkinson’s Disease”
This amazing family has been a part of our program for years. They always come to class ready to help with smiles on their faces, and are ready to push the fighters with tough love. I wanted to spotlight the Monroy Family: 3 Generations Fighting “Together”.
Continue reading “The Monroy Family: 3 Generations Fighting “Together””