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Parkinson’s Wellness Programs

Adults Ages 18+

Whether you’re looking for a chance to share your experience with others, or simply a compassionate place to find comfort, you’ll find strength and resilience in our Parkinson’s Wellness programs.

A woman exercising using dumbbells.

Empowering Our Parkinson's Community

We are dedicated to supporting both adults living with Parkinson's Disease and their families with our Parkinson's programs in Boston.

To achieve this mission, we offer a range of exercise classes, support groups, and educational events to help those with Parkinson's slow disease progression, manage symptoms, and lead fulfilling lives. With the guidance of the medical community, local organizations, and experienced instructors, we strive to help our Parkinson's community lead their best, fullest lives in the spirit of overall health and wellness. We are also proud to partner with the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to provide a caring and nurturing space where families can come together and learn from one another.

Join us and take control of your Parkinson's journey. These programs are open to all individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Let's empower our Parkinson's community, together.

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month!

Celebrate Movement, Exercise & Connection with JCC Greater Boston

Stop by the table in the lobby to discover what's happening this month!

  • Thursday, March 26
  • Monday, March 30 
  • Monday, April 6 

Movement & Exercise Challenge

April 1–April 30

Celebrate your ability to move and exercise with this activity challenge! Complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (643 minutes/month) for a chance to WIN PRIZES! Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a 45-Minute Personal Training Session ($85 value), a Family Outdoor Pool Guest Pass for up to six individuals (2 adults + 4 children) ($80 value), an InBody Composition Analysis ($18 value), or a JCafé Gift Card ($15 value).

Use the My J app to join the challenge:

  1. Under “Quick Actions” from the Homepage, select the “Challenges” icon.
  2. Click “Join” and “April Movement & Exercise Challenge” to open the challenge page.
  3. To add a new activity, click the “Add activity” button at the bottom of the page to record the Date, Time, and number of Minutes you exercised. You can also leave a comment about your activity.
  4. Once entered, click “Add activity” and a pop-up message will indicate that the activity was added successfully!

Move, Nourish, Connect: Honoring Parkinson’s Awareness Month Together

This April, we invite our community to come together in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month through programs that support movement, mindfulness, and brain health for all. Join us for Soul Flow: Book-Inspired Yoga, a presentation on Food and Fitness, and a live online screening of Boys of Summer: Third Base as we explore how thoughtful movement, nourishment, and connection can enhance overall well-being. 

As part of this month’s offerings, members are invited to enjoy exclusive fitness pop-up classes designed to build strength, stamina, and mobility in a welcoming, engaging group setting. 

  • Line Dancing with Cheryl | Thursday, April 9 I 1-2pm 
  • Stride & Strength: Pole Walking Clinic for Beginners with Nicole | Monday, April 13 I 2:45-3:30pm 

Get ready to move, have fun, and connect with your community through rhythm and movement!

Reserve your spot on the My J app up to 2 days before the class. 

 Special Programs for People with Parkinson’s

*To learn more and register, contact Heidi White at 617.558.6459 or wellness@jccgb.org. 

Benefits of Exercise for Parkinson's Disease

Regular physical activity is a vital component of managing Parkinson's disease (PD). According to the Parkinson's Foundation, engaging in consistent exercise can lead to:

  • Improved Mobility and Flexibility: Exercise helps maintain and enhance movement, making daily activities easier.
  • Enhanced Balance and Coordination: Physical activity can reduce the risk of falls by strengthening muscles and improving stability.
  • Better Mental Health: Regular exercise has been shown to alleviate depression and anxiety, common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's.
  • Slowed Disease Progression: Some studies suggest that consistent physical activity may have neuroprotective effects, which can potentially slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Safety Considerations

Before starting any exercise program, it's important to consult with healthcare providers to tailor activities to individual abilities and needs. Safety considerations include:

  • Supervision: Participating in supervised exercise programs ensures you perform exercises correctly and safely.
  • Progression: Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of exercises can help prevent injuries.
  • Adaptations: Modifying exercises to accommodate symptoms like freezing of gait or balance issues is crucial.

Upcoming Classes and Events

Meet the Instructors

Todd Paris

Group Fitness Instructor/Boxing Instructor

Meet Todd, a USA Boxing Certified Boxing Trainer/Coach and USA Boxing Amateur Athlete in the Master Boxer Division. Todd holds a certification in Rock Steady Boxing (our Parkinson's boxing program) and created a boxing program for children and adults on the autism spectrum. Todd is also a certified Movement Intelligence Coach, an Animal Flow Instructor, as well as a Metabolic Conditioning Coach. Todd has an absolute love and passion for boxing training as a form of fitness and as a sport, and feels that boxing has something for everyone. Todd says whether you’re looking to hone the skills you already have, aspire to be the next Rocky Balboa, and/or just want to have FUN while getting a great workout, boxing is the perfect opportunity!

Paul Rosalie DiCrescenzo Headshot.

Paul & Rosalie DiCrescenzo

Group Fitness Instructors / JCCGB+ Instructors

Paul and Rosalie are highly experienced martial arts instructors and two of the few who are authorized by the Wudangdao Cultural Institute to teach Tai Chi and Qigong in the United States. Rosalie holds the rank of Jiaolian (Professional Trainer/Coach) and Paul holds the rank of Shifu (Master/Teacher). They have been studying and practicing martial arts since the '70s, studying Korean swordsmanship, open hand fighting, and Japanese classical weapons. They have devoted themselves to Chinese martial arts for decades and are currently students of Master Zhong Xuechao, a 15th generation Wudang Sanfeng Kungfu Master from Wudang Mountain.

“I am so fortunate to be a participant in this incredible Wellness program. We have become a family, confiding in each other, exercising together and most importantly, caring about each other.  Thank you for providing this gift to us.”

Debbie Parkinson's Wellness Participant

Explore Virtual Parkinson's Wellness Classes

Not able to come to any of our Parkinson's programs in Boston? Our virtual library has pre-recorded classes for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home.

Explore Video Library

Related Programs

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Support our Parkinson’s Wellness Programs

Thanks to your support, we can continue to enable people with Parkinson’s to stay active and socialize while helping their caregivers learn and connect.

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Get in Touch

wellness@jccgb.org

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