Exercises to improve stability, balance, mobility, speech, and strength

A chair class that includes mostly seated, as well as some standing, exercises. This exercise class focuses on mobility, breathing, vocal exercises, facial movements and basic strengthening. All fitness levels are welcome in this class.

Who likes “Movement is Medicine” class?

“Movement is Medicine” class is for anyone wanting to work on their balance, stability, strength and functional movement patterns. Originally created for people with Parkinsons, this class now incorporates exercises that can benefit anyone of any fitness level. If you want to improve any of the above functional components, this class is for you.

What is “Movement is Medicine” class?

“Movement is Medicine” is a chair class that is appropriate for people at any stage of fitness. This class is mostly done from a seated position, and it also can include some standing exercises. Movements focus on proper breathing techniques, vocal exercises, facial and hand exercises, and muscle strengthening.

The class helps to improve coordination and functional movement. Functional movements are those performed in everyday life, such as squatting, hinging from the hips and lifting arms above the head.

Each class begins with a basic warmup, followed by a mobility segment to work every muscle group at least once during each class. Mobility exercises start with the neck and work down to the shoulders, spine, hips and ankles. A mobility segment for each body part helps class participants get loose and increase their blood flow. Sometimes the instructor incorporates the use of various equipment such as light hand weights, Pilates rings, bender balls and bands.

Lower body exercises benefit the hip flexors, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Upper body exercises with light hand weights include bicep curls, some light shoulder work and rotator cuff strengthening. Also included are thoracic mobility movements where class participants are instructed to turn and reach and also extend their spine. Your fine motor skills will benefit from hand dexterity exercises. Participants will be asked to open and close their hands, wiggle their fingers and even play an imaginary piano. Repetitive opening up of the hands is important for all of us – if you don't use it, you can lose it.

Standing exercises complement chair exercises to help class participants improve their balance. The instructor leads standing exercises with basic movements like a squat. Stand with feet apart as members hold on to the back of a chair. The instructor suggests removing one hand to see how the balance is, followed by removing the second hand to check on stability. If the participant is good with this exercise, they may progress to a staggered stance with one foot behind the other. Similar to removing each hand from the chair, participants will then switch sides to a staggered stance with the second foot forward.

Occasionally in class, participants will dance to choreographed music. All dancing is done from a seated position. Music has been shown to improve memory, movement and is good for the brain. Music can often trigger pleasant memories and improve mood.

Every class ends with a basic cooldown and stretch segment that lasts about five minutes.

When and where does the class meet?

“Movement is Medicine” meets regularly once a week in the aerobics studio at WK Health & Fitness Center on Greenwood Road in Shreveport.

Why do “Movement is Medicine?”

If you need improvement with your balance, coordination or strength, or if you feel stiff and need to loosen your joints, this class is for you. Participants leave saying they feel more relaxed and uplifted. Members often come to class and encourage each other, making this a great class that provides not only physical benefits, but mental benefits, as well!