Parkinson's Group in Lincoln Touched Their Toes Today!

I was the guest speaker at the Parkinson's Support Group in Lincoln today.  I love public speaking and am honored whenever I am invited to give presentations for various support groups.  Now that I have been studying the brain and how to activate the brain for better balance, movement, vision and less pain, I have so much to share that I have to customize each presentation with the audience in mind.

I had prepared a Parkinson's-specific presentation for the Carmichael Parkinson's Support group earlier this year however that was one of my worst presentations ever.  I did not read the audience's needs and should have stopped talking 30 minutes earlier!  I feel I did better this time however the amount of information I have to share can be 'overwhelming' which is why I encourage private training sessions (repetition is king).

I've attended several Parkinsons Association of Northern California's (PANC) one-day trainings and with my brain-based training, I feel confident presenting to people living with Parkinsons Disease.

Today's audience was blown away with the vision drills.  As always, I had everyone do an assessment.  In this case, reach down to touch their toes (while seated.  Needless to say, over half the room needed longer arms to touch their toes during the initial assessment.

Then I showed everyone how to do pencil push-ups.  After the group did about 5 pencil push-ups, I had them reach down and touch their toes again.  All I heard was, "what in the world just happened", "how did she do that", "oh my gosh".... this is because almost everyone could reach their toes this time!

I laughed and said, "it's not magic, it's neuroscience"!  I kept talking about the power of vision and that it is the #1 input to the brain and if you train the four components of vision, your vision will get better.  Then I had them do another vision drill that targeted eye movement.

After doing a drill, I had them reach down and try to touch their toes again and once again, exclamations, laughter and smiles as the entire front row touched their toes.  These are people who haven't touched their toes in over 20 years and today, after two vision drills, they were able to touch their toes.

We did some exercises that activated basal ganglia and the frontal lobe and I had everyone stand up.  No stuttering, no hesitation, people stood up easier and without thought.  Big smiles.

If you are living with Parkinson's Disease and you know there's more than Rock Steady boxing, contact me!  I will come to your home for private sessions to discover what your brain needs for healthy movement.  I can't cure the disease but I can make living with it more tolerable.   I will give you tips and holistic options to make your life better.

info@thefallpreventionlady.com

Sun City and Fall Prevention exercises

    Not too long ago, I attended a Baby Boomer Expo at the prestigious Sun City Roseville community and I have to say that those people have it made!  Living there must be like living in a country club!  Golf courses everywhere, they have a full gym, swimming pool, sauna, tons of exercise classes offered daily, the director is doing a fabulous job keeping people active.

    However, I only saw the 'active' people.  Those who thrive on social interaction, those who are in relatively good health, those who recognize the importance of staying active in order to remain independent.  That's when I start to wonder about the thousands of other older adults who live in the Sun City community who would rather exercise alone, in the comforts of their home.  What are they doing?

    I wonder what type of Senior Exercise Videos the people in Sun City are watching in their homes.  Are they participating in up-to-date, scientifically researched seated exercise routines developed by fitness professionals or are they following the same 'ol routine using the same 'ol weights?    If so, they may be hurting themselves and here's why....

    No matter what age, the body adapts to the demands of exercise by getting stronger, more flexible,  and improving balance abilities.  When a person does the same stuff, the body doesn't have to adapt which is why you have to keep your body guessing so it can react and adapt.   If you have been doing the same seated exercise routines year after year, you are not improving your physical well being.  

    Don't get me wrong, some movement is better than none but it's time for a change.   A safe change.  It's time to Take 5 to Exercise.   My series educates you about why you need to do the movements then demonstrates how to do stretching and strengthening fall risk reduction exercises, all while seated. 

    Visit Take 5 to Exercisew today and order a copy of the most up-to-date fall risk reduction videos out there.  Edu-tain-ment.  Be educated while you are entertained.

The Fall Prevention Lady