Parkinson's Exercise Program

Do you know anyone with Parkinson’s disease?

We offer Parkinson's specific classes at the Mark Green Sports Center. These classes address the different needs of someone with PD and can help improve symptoms, quality of life, and movement. We also offer support groups and caregiver/partner support groups.

The Mark Green Sports Center began offering these programs in 2016 with the support of a Parkinson's Foundation Community Grant Award. Since then the Parkinson's Foundation has continuously supported this program in so many ways. We are proud to continue the fight against Parkinson's through exercise and movement. In 2021,this program will place a renewed focus on caregivers and partners, as well as creating awareness within our local community. Check back here for frequent updates on our offerings and events.

Classes require a medical release waiver to be signed by your physician prior to registering. Call the Fitness Coordinator - Robert Magbanua (510) 675-5600 or email robertmagbanua@unioncity.org for more information on how to register.

If you would like to join our email list, and get updated about our program, events, and support groups. Click here to submit your email and be added onto the list.

FREE ONLINE EXERCISE VIDEO COURSES

Union City Community & Recreation Services is pleased to announce the creation of the Parkinson’s Exercise Program – Online Course Series of classes. Specifically, 3 courses are available for the following classes: PWR! Moves, Boxing for Parkinson’s, and Mindful Movement. Each course was developed with the intention of developing a mastery of movements before progressing to more challenging positions and exercises. All together, over 60 videos will be released over the course of 2023. You can take any combination of the three classes, or you can take all of them. This program is supported by a grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Release Schedule:
Every 2nd & 4th Monday by 9am - PWR! Moves & Boxing for Parkinson’s
4th Friday of every month by 9am – Mindful Movement

*New Classes Available Now~ Click Below

PWR! Moves	Boxing For Parkinson's	Mindful Movement	Supplemental Workouts
YouTube Video Class #1 - Sitting & Standing Intro	Class #1 - Intro To Boxing	Class #1 - Sitting Position	Live Class: PWR! Moves #1
Class #2 - Using Resistance	Class #2 - Defensive Techniques	Class #2 - Sitting Position	Live Class: PWR! Moves #2
Class #3 - Adding Props	Class # 3 - Hooks & Uppercuts	Class #3 - Sitting Position	Boxing Tabata Workout #1
Class #4 - All 4's Modifications	Class #4 - Using the Heavy Bag	Class #4 - Last Seated Class	Hula with Ann Demo
Class #5 - All 4's Position	Class #5 - No Gloves Needed
Class # 6 - All 4's Position Continued	Class #6 - Shadowboxing Combos
Class # 7 - Supine Position	Class #7 - Daily Warm-Up Idea
Class #8 - Sitting Strength	Class #8 - The Switch Hit
Class #9 - All 4's Strength	Class #9 - Body Shots
	Class #10 - Falling
	Class #11 - Falling Continued
	Class #12 - Balance with Kicks pt. 1

FREE Program Descriptions
Exercise Class Descriptions

Powerful Tools For Caregivers 6-Week Workshop - Free To Sign-Up. Next Session: January 2023

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a proven six-week program to reduce stress and improve caregiver health. The course is taught by trained class leaders and enables caregivers to develop their own self-care tools that: reduce stress, help change negative self-talk, communicate needs to family members and healthcare providers, and develop a process for making tough caregiving decisions. Program materials focus on the current and ongoing caregiver principles to help caregivers thrive, even while caring for their loved one. The program consists of 6 weekly sessions meeting for 90 minutes. The Caregiver Help book will be provided to all participants. This program has been offered for over 10 years at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence and served over 10,000 caregivers. We are excited to begin the new year with another offering of this great program. To sign-up, please click the appropriate image down below. You can also find Testimonials below this section from past participants.

Mindfulness Self-Compassion 8 Week Workshop - Free to Sign-Up. Next Session: February 2023

Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we’re hurting. Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional wellbeing. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives.

The course will meet weekly for 8consecutive weeks. Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is an opportunity to explore how we typically respond when difficulties arise in our lives and to learn tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves. Although MSC offers conceptual learning it is designed to be more experiential than theoretical. MSC is therapeutic, but it’s not therapy. The emphasis of the program is on enhancing emotional resources to meet emotional challenges, old and new. MSC is also not primarily a type of mindfulness training; MSC is mindfulness-based compassion training in which the quality of warmth is emphasized more than awareness itself.