Exercise is important to the self-management of Parkinson's disease, but for many British Columbians, it can be difficult to find Parkinson's-specific exercise programs in your area. Parkinson Society British Columbia has hosted a number of online exercise classes that you can follow along with from the comfort of your own home. These classes have been designed at varying intensity levels with adaptations for differing physical abilities. Click through the sections below to read more about these programs, and view recordings.
Over the course of this challenge, neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, will guide you through a different 5-minute exercise for each day, which you can perform in the comfort of your own home, and on your own time. This challenge is perfect for those facing various difficulties with exercise, including time constraints, lack of motivation, or simply not knowing where to start.
Try these exercises as many times as you like, and repeat them throughout the day as desired! These exercises will emphasize coordination of the arms and legs, as well as balance, strength, and power. Seated adaptation instructions are provided for every exercise. For your safety, proper and supportive footwear is recommended when engaging in any of these activities.
Video Recordings
View full details on our 10 Day Exercise challenge here.
Join physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, for an exercise series focused on hand and dexterity challenges associated with Parkinson's disease.
Exercises in this series will target upper extremity movement, hand dexterity, grip strength, hand-finger coordination, and overall arm function. As this is a hand and dexterity class, all exercises will be done in a seated position — ideally in a chair without armrests.
Equipment needed for this exercise series includes:
- A small tea or kitchen towel
- A small cushion/pillow
- A small elastic band or hair tie
We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar as well as their spouses and/or carepartners, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one. Download the handout.
Video Recordings
Join Parkinson Society British Columbia's own Education and Support Services Coordinator, and neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, for a fun and energetic online Parkinson's exercise class, designed to challenge your strength, balance, and mobility to improve your overall daily function and quality of life.
This seated class is suitable for those who prefer a slower-paced class. All exercises will be completed in a sitting position. No equipment is needed, other than a chair to sit in.
Video Recordings
Join Parkinson Society British Columbia's own Education and Support Services Coordinator, and neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, for a fun and energetic online Parkinson's exercise class, designed to challenge your strength, balance, and mobility to improve your overall daily function and quality of life.
This class will consist of standing exercises, with some dual-tasking challenges. Adaptations will be provided for those who require a walker, cane, or other support. No equipment needed.
Video Recordings
During this 3-part webinar series on the Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) program, Occupational Therapist and RSB certified coach, Allie Saks, will walk you through the benefits of boxing for Parkinson's, and lead a live RSB class, demonstrating basic boxing moves. Classes will feature stretching, cardio, shadow boxing, strength exercises, core work, and a cool-down stretch. Each session will challenge participants with progressively higher-paced boxing moves. No experience is required to participate.
Rock Steady Boxing was founded in 2006 in Indianapolis by Scott Newman, whose own Parkinson’s symptoms improved through non-contact boxing. Boxing has also been shown to delay disease progression and enhance quality of life.
Video Recordings
Join neuro physiotherapist and trained Pilates instructor, Shelly Yu, for four sessions of Pilates! Pilates is a great low-impact form of exercise, which can help improve mobility, posture, and balance, and reduce fall risk.
This series is offered at two levels. Please follow along with the level that best suits your physical ability. Level 1 is an adapted class focused on sitting and lying positions, while Level 2 features standing and lying exercises.
Level 1 of this series explores gentle but challenging movements in both sitting and lying positions. Level 1 is an adapted class, and does not include any standing.
The class will start sitting at the edge of the bed, followed by lying on the bed. Ideally, participants should be able to lie on their back and side. No previous experience is required.
Equipment needed for the class includes:
- A Bed (a couch/sofa is acceptable, although your movements may be restricted)
- Pillows
- A long towel or scarf
- A loved one to help with transferring from sitting to lying, if needed
Video Recordings
Join neuro physiotherapist and trained Pilates instructor, Shelly Yu, for four sessions of Pilates! Pilates is a great low-impact form of exercise, which can help improve mobility, posture, and balance, and reduce fall risk.
This series is offered at two levels. Please follow along with the level that best suits your physical ability. Level 1 is an adapted class focused on sitting and lying positions, while Level 2 features standing and lying exercises.
Level 2 of this series explores both static and dynamic stability exercises in both standing and lying positions. These exercises require participants to be able to stand independently (with or without a gait aid), get on/off the floor, and be able to lie on their back, side and front.
No equipment is needed for the class, other than a mat to lie on. If no mat is available, participants can lie on carpet, or use towels to cushion their bodies against the floor.
Video Recordings
Join Mandy Shintani, Occupational Therapist and founder of Urban Poling, for some dynamic seated and standing exercises with poles! Nordic walking poles aren’t just for walking. Using these specialized poles for seated and standing exercise promotes an upright posture, support on both sides of your body, ledge for core strengthening and makes exercising more fun!
Please note that walking poles will be required for this exercise series. If you do not have walking poles and would like to purchase them, visit Urban Poling. Walking poles are also available at many local retailers.
Video Recordings
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.
Video Recordings
Join Parkinson Society BC's neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, in a five-week, low-impact balance exercise class. This class will focus on lower extremity strength and agility-type activities required for falls prevention, such as multidirectional stepping, weight shifting, and turning. As this is a balance and falls class, all exercises will be done while standing in order to simulate real-life scenarios. However, participants are welcome to hold on to a chair or table for support as needed. No special equipment is required.
We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.
Please note that due to the nature of a virtual balance class, participants may need to have a loved one nearby to ensure safety.
Video Recordings
Freezing of gait can be one of the most frustrating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It often leads to falls and injuries which can reduce mobility and quality of life. Some of the best strategies for managing and reducing freezing episodes are to train the feet to walk slower, improve weight-shifting, and step in more symmetrical patterns. Cues and cognitive strategies can also help to direct attention to walking.
Join us in this online exercise series, as Parkinson Society BC's own neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, leads us through 4 sessions of targeted exercises to improve motor patterns. The class will start in a sitting position, and move to standing. Please note that there will not be an option to remain seated the entire class, due to the nature of exercises targeting the feet and walking.
Participants may wish to have a loved one nearby to ensure their safety. Proper footwear is recommended.
Equipment required for this class includes two chairs to hold on to, and a physical target on the floor (eg. a taped line, a tissue box to step over, or two agility dots).
Video Recordings
Let’s get moving! Kick-start the fall season with the September Challenger, a high-intensity and fast-paced exercise class suitable for those who can stand and move unassisted.
Parkinson Society BC's own neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, will challenge your balance, coordination, and exercise stamina in this fully standing circuit class similar to its predecessor, the April Challenger. Equipment needed for these classes include:
- A small cushion/pillow
- 2 light-weight scarves or cloths
- A high-back chair to hold on to
- A wall, free of clutter
We welcome all individuals with Parkinson’s to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.
Video Recordings
Let's get moving! Kick-start Parkinson's Awareness Month with the April Challenger! Join PSBC's Shelly Yu, neuro physiotherapist, as she leads you through a fast-paced exercise series aimed at challenging your balance and coordination. Although this class is primarily a standing class, seated modifications will be given to be inclusive of all mobility levels.
Equipment needed for these classes includes:
- a small cushion or pillow
- two light-weight scarves or cloths
We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.
Video Recordings