Tai Chi for Parkinson's

About

**Free Parkinson’s Wellness Class – Tai Chi for Parkinson's** Tai Chi is widely considered one of the best physical practices for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Because Parkinson’s affects the basal ganglia—the part of the brain that automates movement—everyday actions like walking, turning, and standing up can become fragmented. Tai Chi acts as a form of "neuromuscular rehabilitation," retraining the brain and body to work together through deliberate, mindful movement. Multiple long-term clinical studies highlight the primary motor and non-motor benefits of Tai Chi for Parkinson's: 1. Significant Improvement in Balance and Posture Postural instability (difficulty maintaining balance) is a core symptom of Parkinson's. Tai Chi specifically targets this by forcing you to slowly shift your weight from one leg to another, rotate your torso, and extend your stride. 2. Reduced Risk of Falls Falls are a major concern for individuals with Parkinson's due to balance issues and "freezing" of gait. Because Tai Chi trains the body to respond dynamically to changes in center of gravity, it naturally improves what clinicians call "activities-specific balance confidence." 3. Better Gait (Walking) and Mobility Parkinson’s often causes a shuffling gait, shorter stride lengths, and slower walking speeds. Tai Chi involves continuous, flowing stepping patterns that teach the brain to initiate and execute smooth, deliberate steps. Studies show noticeable improvements in gait velocity (how fast you walk) and stride length. 4. Slowing of Disease Progression Fascinatingly, newer research suggests that Tai Chi might have "disease-modifying" potential, meaning it may actually slow down how fast the disease advances. 5. Non-Motor Benefits: Cognition, Mood, and Sleep Parkinson's is not just a movement disorder; it impacts the whole nervous system. Tai Chi acts as a "mind-body" exercise, requiring a lot of mental focus to remember and execute the sequences (acting as a form of cognitive dual-tasking). AVAILABLE TIMES Wednesdays, 11:45am West End Gold's Gym (limited time class offering) REGISTRATION You can simply register for the individual classes that you would like to attend. All classes are free to people with PD. **Care Partners are required to stay and support their participant if participant is unable to get on/off equipment and maneuver through the gym independently**