Class members Pat Perry, Mary Beth Snyder, Mary Lou Carmodi, and Hans Von Michaelis
Vera Shury
Big Announcement! Nine-hole golfing for Parkinson’s with the Village Fun with Friends Team; contact the leader at [email protected] or 520-818-1880. You can also ask about bocce.
Improve your posture with shoulder workouts!
Weak shoulders come from leaning over desks, cell phone use, hunching over handlebars, and Parkinson’s related tiredness and weakening of muscles due to loss of dopamine and energy. It takes rebuilding upper body strength to re-align shoulders toward the back with the ears over shoulders, not the chin jutting forward.
1) Arnold Press
You can use dumbbells or wrist weights. The Arnold Press is a three-part move. Bring elbows together in front, weights at chin height, with the palms facing inward. Open arms into a goal post shape. Then press weights overhead, turning hands forward. Be sure to breathe and lift on the exhale, while pulling in the low abs. Don’t let the chest collapse. Start with eight repetitions, two times and add as you gain strength.
2) Goalpost Overhead Press
One can also use the Goalpost Overhead Press, which doesn’t bring the elbows together, and has a straight lateral raise. Open elbows wide at shoulder height. Press arms up, ending with straight elbows. Lower slowly. Eight repetitions, two times to start.
3) Arm Circle
For this move, stand with legs shoulder width apart. Sternum up, bring hands to shoulder height out to the sides, palms down. Start with small circles from the shoulder, keeping arms straight.
Our class is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. in SaddleBrooke One Art and Craft Center Room 3. Class is two days a week, which really isn’t enough, as the members would benefit greatly from participating in two additional sessions a week. Exercise, with the medication for Parkinson’s, is the most effective way to delay the progression of the disease, and it helps with a better quality of life!
Check out www.silversneakers.com to find out if you have coverage in your health policy, or you can call the number on the back of your insurance card. It is not provided by Medicare.
Visit uhcrenewactive.com/home for United Healthcare and other insurance plans.
Visit www.silverandfit.com for Blue Cross Blue Shield and other insurance plans.
Contact the club vice president, Hans Von Michaelis, at 303-549-4480; the annual dues are $10.
We are listed in SaddleBrooke One under exercise and support. We have quarterly support and educational meetings on the third Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in SaddleBrooke One Arts and Crafts Center Room 3, next to the gift shop. All are welcome! Visit www.pmdalliance.org for Parkinson’s information and support.
Contact me, BIG/PWR! Certified Trainer Vera Shury, at 520-275-8755 or [email protected].