Are you living with Parkinson's Disease?

Are you living with Parkinson’s Disease?

Researchers seek participants for a pilot study

Parkinson’s Disease affects movement and can compromise daily activities and quality of life.

A series of workshops at Katoomba on Fridays March 11, 18, 25, and April 1 will explore the benefits of Awareness Through Movement® lessons based on the Feldenkrais Method® for people living with Parkinson’s Disease.

Participation is free of charge and confidentiality will be maintained.

For more information email: abetterwaytomove@gmail.com

Information Sheet for Katoomba Workshops March 11, 18, 25/April 1

Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioners Mary Werick and Catherine Hamber are conducting Pilot Research studies on the effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method® for maintaining and enhancing daily activities and quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. The first part of the Pilot will be four movement workshops, to be conducted in Katoomba on March 11, 18, 25, and April 1.

The Awareness Through Movement® lessons that we will be doing are based in the Feldenkrais Method®. Evidence for the effectiveness of the Method is growing, particularly in areas where body awareness is paramount, such as balance and dexterity. There is also evidence for finding greater comfort and ease for people who have injuries or illness. 

The Method is based on somatic learning and neuroplasticity of the nervous system. Throughout life we learn to move, to be able to do what we want to do. We move, and feedback from our senses (sound, vision, touch and body position/motion) is used to develop a pattern in our nervous system for a new skill, or to improve an existing one. At some point, a learned pattern may not be effective, or may be disrupted by neurological challenges. 

Through Awareness Through Movement® lessons, you will become aware of the effects of what you are doing and try new variations. Then you can integrate the ways that work better. The researchers hypothesise that you can find ways to work around some of the effects that Parkinson’s symptoms are having on your movement. 

These group lessons can be performed in a variety of positions: lying on your front or back or side on the floor, sitting on the floor, sitting in a chair, or standing. Movements are small, slow, and repetitive, and you remain in control, within your comfort zone. The lessons performed in these workshops will be related to particular experiences common to people living with Parkinson’s Disease. 

The group will be limited to 6 participants, and participation is free of charge. 

Participants will receive a copy of the resulting report. Participant confidentiality will be maintained. 

Please contact Mary Werick at abetterwaytomove@gmail.com or 0402 974 449 if you are interested in participating in this trial.