Please note: Participation in the exercise programs listed below will be done at your own risk within your home. Please ensure you have the space needed to follow the exercises and that there are no obstacles or barriers in your way.

Parkinson Society BC (PSBC), and the instructors of the programs below, will not be held liable for accidents or incidents that may occur in your home. By participating in the exercise programs listed below, you are recognizing that risk of illness and/or injury may be inherent in any movement or exercise class and are participating with the express agreement of, and understanding that the program instructors, and Parkinson Society BC and its directors, officers, employees, partners, and agents are hereby released from any and all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses, or judgements associated with these exercise for Parkinson's programs.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise Series

Stretch & Strengthen is a low-impact exercise series for people who prefer a slow-paced class. Exercises will start in a sitting position, and progress to standing, although there is an option to remain seated for the entire duration of the class.

Participants can expect to focus on ranges of movement, in a strength-controlled manner, of the trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs.

No equipment is needed for the class. The exercise series will be led by PSBC's own Shelly Yu, physiotherapist.

Registration for this webinar is now closed. Please join our waitlist and if space becomes available, you will be contacted by PSBC staff.

Join Waitlist

Laughter Yoga for Parkinson's

Led by certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Marg McLaughlin, this workshop combines the breathing elements of yoga with laughter exercise to nurture inner joy. Different games and activities will be used to stimulate laughter in participants.

No equipment is required to participate.

Registration for this webinar has reached capacity. 

Join Waitlist

Time Out for Carepartners Series

Parkinson Society British Columbia recognizes the daily efforts made by carepartners and caregivers. This August, we invite all carepartners and caregivers to join us for this webinar series on education, health, and wellness.

The first two sessions (August 4 & 11) in this series will be hosted by Parkinson Society British Columbia's own Tricia Wallace, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Shelly Yu, neuro physiotherapist. These sessions focus on exploring mindfulness for mental and physical health and wellness.

The final two sessions (August 18 & 25), centred on education, will be hosted by Connie Jorsvik, Founder and Senior Healthcare Navigator/Advocate at Patient Pathways. Connie will provide guidance and practical information on how to navigate BC's healthcare system, with a focus on all aspects of the transition process from acute care to long-term and home care. General guidance, applications, and navigation tools that can be utilized by carepartners province-wide, will also be discussed.

Separate registration is required for each session.

Learn More and Register

Drumming for Parkinson's Series

This summer, Doug Pickard, REMO Health Rhythms Facilitator and Rock Steady Boxing Affiliate Owner, leads a 7-week drumming class for Parkinson's.

Express your feelings with easy-to-follow beats and rhythms, and add drumming to your toolbox of therapies and self-management strategies! Studies have shown that the rhythmic sound and movement of drumming may help improve motor skills, mood, and cognition in people with Parkinson's.

This series will apply the REMO Health Rhythms protocol — a holistic and evidence-based program for healthy, non-strenuous workout with a focus on socialization. One of the main goals of Health Rhythms is to understand the mind-body connection in the context of music-making. Doug and his colleagues are adapting this program to target the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

We welcome all people with Parkinson's disease and their carepartners to these classes. Registrants are encouraged to commit to the full series, as each session will build on skills and techniques introduced weekly. No musical experience is necessary.

Registration for this webinar series has reached capacity.

Join Waitlist

September Symposium Series

Parkinson's disease is a unique and complex condition. To assist in expanding your knowledge of the disease, Parkinson Society British Columbia will host three webinars in this symposium series to provide the PD community the opportunity to learn from leading experts.

Topics covered include:

• Frequently Asked Questions About Parkinson's Disease | Dr. Jonathan Squires, Movement Disorder Specialist in Vancouver
• Cognitive Changes in Parkinson's: Experiencing Brain Fog | Cheryl Daniels, Movement Disorder Clinic Nurse in Kelowna
• Thawing Out: Strategies to Reduce Freezing | Shelly Yu, Neuro Physiotherapist in Vancouver

Learn More and Register

Time for Healthy Engagement Book Club

Hosted by the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre, with support by a Centers of Excellence CORE grant from the Parkinson's Foundation, THE Book Club (a Time for Healthy Engagement) is a monthly online book club for people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners.

The books will not be Parkinson's disease specific but will have a relatable theme and will be reviewed every second month with a facilitator. On the alternate months, shorter articles/blog pieces/podcasts that have Parkinson's content will be discussed.

The books will be mailed well in advance of the book club dates.

Registration deadline: Friday, September 4, 2020.

Space is limited. Register early!

Learn More & Register

Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD)
Parkinson Society British Columbia is offering an online YOPD support group. This group is meant for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's under the age of 60. 

A valid internet connection will be required to participate.

2^nd Tuesday of each month
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Register Now

Parkinson's Disease Support Group
In an effort to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, many support groups have cancelled meetings until further notice. As a substitute, we have started a new weekly online support group for the Parkinson’s community to help stay connected and support each other during this time. Please note this group will communicate via chat (typing).

A valid internet connection will be required to participate.

Weekly on Fridays
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Register Now

Early to Mid-Stage Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group
This monthly online support group is geared for individuals caring for someone with early to mid-stage Parkinson's disease. Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community of support.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate.

3^rd Wednesday of each month 
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Register Now

Advanced Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group
This new monthly online support group is designed for individuals caring for someone with advanced Parkinson's disease, which can be characterized by complex medical needs and/or changes in cognition that require help in almost all areas of daily life.

Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community fostering connection with others who share similar experiences.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate.

4^th Thursday of each month
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Register Now

EDUCATION EVENTS

• Parkinson's Balance & Mobility Classes
  Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 11:45am on Zoom
  Hosted by Surefeet
  To register, email info@surefeet.ca 

• Webinars on Various Topics
  Third Thursday of the month, 9:00am PST
  Hosted by Michael J. Fox Foundation
  Registration & Information

 EXERCISE & CREATIVITY RESOURCES

• RockSteady Boxing Home Exercises: Rock Steady Boxing, is a nonprofit that improves the quality of life for people with Parkinson's through a non-contact boxing based fitness. They are publishing workouts online.
• Dance for PD Live Classes and Archives: Dance for PD has an archive of video dance classes and are hosting live video dance classes through their website.
• Dancing for Life with Parkinson's: Stay active from the comfort of your own home with these weekly online dance classes! This program is led by Charlotte Fowlow and takes place every Thursday at 8:00am PST. To join, send a request to the Facebook group. This service is offered by Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador
• Music Therapy Classes: You can join a live stream music therapy class every Tuesday at 9:30am PST Friday at 5:30am PST on Facebook and led by Registered Musical Therapist, Renée White. These video classes are available after they are streamed on the Facebook Group. This service is offered by Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador.
• Mindfulness and Gentle Chair Yoga: Kate Landreth, Education & Learning Lead at Family Caregivers of BC, offers a mindfulness practice and seated yoga movement practice. Follow along from the comfort of your home. 
• SongShine: SongShine uses both vocal and dramatic art to exercise the power of the brain, breath, and emotion for strenghtening your voice. Keep your voice strong with SongShine's online video series.
• LSVT Global: LSVT Global is offering interactive exercise classes and free online resources! Click here for more information and to view all of the resources available!
• PWRMoves!: PWRMoves! hosted by Parkinson Wellness Recovery, is an online exercise program designed for those living with Parkinson's and focuses on foundational skills to help manage the symptoms of the disease. Classes run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00pm-1:45pm PST.
• Mindful Hand Drumming @ Home: Pain BC hosted a new live-stream series for people experiencing pain during COVID-19. Partnered with Rhythm Bliss, the sessions include 45-minute mindful and rhythmic hand drumming (no drum required). Previously recorded sessions can be accessed via Pain BC's Youtube Channel.
• Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador Exercise Group: Join Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador with weekly online exercise classes every Thursday at 9:30am, starting April 30th! Classes are hosted on the Facebook group, please request to be added in the group before joining.
• Tango pour les Couples: (French) Tango Libre in collaboration with Parkinson Quebec are offering free Argentinian Tango classes for couples who have been touched by Parkinson's. Classes will run 9:00am - 10:00am PST. Course dates will be announced shortly.
• Fundamentals of Functional Movement: In this video series, physiotherapist Naomi Casiro (from NeuroFit BC) demonstrates exercises to help you keep up with your Parkinson's specific exercise routine. These workout videos are posted on Youtube.
• Parkinson's and Exercise Guide: This guide from Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario provides exercise ideas, and step-by-step instructions for activities designed to help with Parkinson's symptoms.
• VON Exercise Class Videos: Help maintain your exercise schedule with these videos from VON. This exercise series provides workouts for different skill levels.
• Fitness Fridays: Taught by Joellyn Fox, Doctor of Physical Therapy, thesis 10-part videoseries focuses on fitness activities that are relevant to People with Parkinson's. 
• Parkinson's Exercise Essentials Video: The Parkinson's Exercise Essentials video, created by the David Phinney Foundation, demostrates a variety of workouts designed for People with Parkinson's. 
  
• IMPACT Parkinson's is offering various ongoing programs, such as online exercise classes and group voice therapy. Visit their website to view their event listings, or contact info@impactparkinsons.com to inquire about programs suitable for you.
• Boxing Interval Fitness & Vocal Training for Parkinson's: Join Maria and Victoria to practice cardio, coordination, and strength exercises. The exercises are followed by 30 minutes of breath and vocal training. Classes are held on Tuesdays from June 16th to July 14th at 7am PST.
• NeuroFit BC Outdoor Parki in the Park: Join Neurofit BC at Memorial South Park in Vancouver for this Parkinson's specific exercise class! Classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am - 10:30am PST. Registration required. Please contact NeuroFit BC for more details.