BE A WARRIOR Exercise for Parkinson’s
Song choice : Warrior Artist: Hannah Kerr
When you exercise are you,
On or Off
When Parkinson’s is in control are we in an “On “ or “ OFF” state?
When things like freezing, falling etc. occur, I once again ask are we “ON” or “OFF”?
So to prevent these OFF time incidents, wouldn’t it make sense to exercise and practice during our “OFF” times?
Yes we can learn the skills required during our “ON “ times.
But can we incorporate them into preventative action during our “OFF” times?
Yes , we must Practice and exercise the the things we do well .
however to actually have those skills be beneficial, we must work harder on the skills we struggle at doing.
Why are we exercising?
What is the purpose?
Understanding why ?
It is Medicinal!
We are not exercising to become a better athlete we are exercising to be able to live our life with Parkinson’s better.
Our exercise program must be based on our Parkinson’s .
It has to be therapeutic!
So we must ask , what do I lose as Parkinson’s progresses.
1: mental cognitive skills
2: Oral skills
3: visual skills
4: physical skills
Everything we do requires a sequence of events to have taken place.
A chain of events.
Well Parkinson’s will go after the weakest link in those chains.
Therefore it is imperative that those four things that Parkinson’s will try to take from us, be included somehow in EVERY exercise drill we do!
If the exercise does not include a mental, oral, visual or physical a component ask yourself, how do I add what is missing into that drill.
Be creative!!!!
That creativity MUST include when we are experiencing “OFF” times.
Our “OFF” times are when we are vulnerable.
These”OFF” times therefore can not be ignored when we exercise .
For example :
It’s a dark and stormy night. You are in a large banquet room with no exterior windows , two exit doors. One at the north end and one on the east side . There are round conference tables with 8 chairs per table .
The room is well lit and you have moved freely around this configuration .
Each time you moved around the room , you have been subconsciously , mapping the safe areas from the dangerous.
All of a sudden lightning strikes and this big room has instantly been turned into darkness !
You have now entered the “OFF” state.
How do you move, from this dark point of possible danger and back into the safety of the light?
This is why I define my time working out as , Practice not exercise !
Our time with Parkinson’s is a competitive event.
A competition, between My Parkinson’s and Myself.
Where the ultimate prize is
ME!
There are three stages in any competition ;
1: Offensive
2: Defensive
3: Transitional
Most of the competition actually involves in the transitioning from offence to defence.
Our success will be measured in our ability to transition.
In other words how successful we move from our “ON” to our “OFF”
Picture a box. A simple Square .
Name the four sides.
Top= Brain
Right= Eyes
Bottom = Physical
Left= Oral
These are the four components that every drill we do must have.
In the beginning as we individually focus on each component. Our movements will seem to be deliberate and jerky. We will have a new start and stop at each corner of the box .
Stressing the importance and independence that each component plays into our success of our movement.
Over time as we become better at each component the components will seem to be more fluid. Still independent skills but merging together. Rounding the corners of our box.
Eventually the box is no more. The box has become a circle. Each component still independent but moving in a manner that drives the next one to perform better
The better I think , will bring changes to what , how and why I see, the better I see will provide me with more options that will make my body respond better in what I move, why I move it and When I move. This better movement efficiency encourages you to be more vocal. To use that voice to not just have your body move better. But to communicate and activate the brain to be open and explore options it hasn’t ever thought of employing before.
The brain, the eyes, the body and the voice, driving you , enabling you to adopt, adapt and adjust to new situations.
Reducing Your “Off “ times and Limiting the effects of the “OFF” that do occur.
Remember the 4 P’s of Practice
1: Purpose
2: Precision
3: Power
4: Patience
Balance : falls happen when movement is involved
So
Start from an athletic position
Move with a sequence
1: breath
2: look
3: hands
4: legs
5: stop
To help you in identifying what I am trying to utilize in just one of my 2 to 3 minute videos
Here are some of what is being exercised.
Can you notice them?
Mobility
Balance
Spacial awareness
Geometry
Voice
Audio
Posture stability
Sensual inputs
Hand eye
Visual inputs
Positive inputs
Flexibility
Depth perception
Visual acuity
Proper progression in movement
Fine and gross Motor learning
Fine motor skills depend on placement and pressure
Posture and stance: balance & movement progressions
Imprinting the mental visualization
The ball: hand placement to balance
Foot wear
Visual targets
The song
The tempo
The lyrics
The volume
The work space/
The turns left right
The ears
Balance left right :why?
Toes nose relationship
Heels toes
Peripheral
Size and texture of ball
Power Affirmations
When exercising
Commit to the fifth.
P
PASSION
Always give your best
Understanding your best is not your best ever,
but your best at this time!
Stay away from measurable goals.
why?
Every day with Parkinson’s is a new day. Neither you or your Parkinson’s is the same!
You could be “ON” one day and “OFF” the next .
So the only barometer we have in common , is our effort.
So just give your BEST!
We must practice to our “on” and “offs “
Call it Exercise or Practice , either one will hopefully limit our “OFF “times or help us move during them.
“ Every scar on your skin
Is a beautiful reminder
Of a moment when I didn’t give in.
And I walked through fire
Cause in the dark there is a light
Your truth it keeps on burning bright
Makes me brave to fight the fight
And shout the battle cry
YOU’LL NEVER STOP ME
I’M A WARRIOR !”
Have fun and be a warrior
Parkinsons - My Super Power 