Helping people who live with with Parkinson’s disease is a cause close to Sally Wilcox’s heart.
After her brother was diagnosed with the disease, she began looking into research and methods to help people better manage symptoms.
“In my research I’d noticed that there was really good implications for yoga regarding movement,” she said.
“I started going to the quarterly Parkinson’s meetings and doing a movement session with them.”
I asked them if anyone was interested in a class and it’s just come from there.”
After approaching community health, Sally began volunteering her services as a yoga instructor in the form of a weekly class.
Shake It Up Australia estimates that there are currently over 80,000 Aussies living with the disease.
The class isn’t just for people with Parkinson’s disease either. It is designed to help people with a range of movement disorders.
“It’s for anyone with any movement disorder or anyone who feels like they could benefit,” Sally said.
Though it has only been running for six weeks, some of Sally’s regulars are already seeing some of the benefits.
“When you’re anxious with Parkinson’s disease you get tense.”
We’ve been working on deepening the breath, it’s something that really helps.”
“A few have them have said they’re breathing better.”
The class has also been beneficial in building connections within the local community.
“It’s really sustaining when you work within a group,” She said
“You don’t feel as alone as you might be. It’s the idea that we’re all going through this together going through the same sort of stuff.”
The free class is on every Wednesday at 10am at Community Health on Yambil Street.
