This nasal breathing exercise is a great way to regulate and correct shallow breathing caused by stooped posture, a common problem with Parkinson’s. I do it as a warm-up in Rebel Fit Club’s Posture School, a five-week series we offer both in the gym and virtually (see more info below).

All of us need to work on our posture, especially these days when we are flexed over our electronic devices. But for people with Parkinson’s disease, it’s even more important.

The neurological progression of Parkinson’s pulls the body forward constantly. We are going to combat that effect with some great posture-correcting exercises.

All of us need to work on our posture, especially these days when we are flexed over our electronic devices. But for people with Parkinson’s disease, it’s even more important.

The neurological progression of Parkinson’s pulls the body forward constantly. We are going to combat that effect with some great posture-correcting exercises.

Most people, with or without Parkinson’s, are really stiff and rigid in their upper back and shoulders. The spine becomes flexed forward with the chest muscles being tight and the back muscles very weak. This leads to stooped posture as well as balance, breathing, and digestive issues.

I will show you how to do a Modified Active Child’s Pose to help extend your upper and middle back and stretch out the muscles in the hips as well.

Currently we have Posture School in session, which is a small-group, five-week training for people with Parkinson’s to learn exercises they can do every day to treat their stooped posture. Good posture does not just mean sitting or standing up straight! Rather, it’s about your ability to move around in different positions without slouching or slumping because your body is strong enough to maintain that.

The key to good posture is not just stretching, but strengthening your muscles so that you can stand upright against forces like gravity! The other key factor is learning how to properly sequence your shoulder blades (scapulas) to move correctly and efficiently.