MS and Parkinson’s Canterbury
Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury
Upcoming Events
Wed 27 May
12:00 pmAccessible Tai Chi Classes for MS & Parkinson's - Canterbury
🧘♀️ Join our supportive Tai Chi classes specially designed for people with MS and Parkinson's at Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson's Canterbury. This gentle exercise promotes balance, flexibility, and relaxation through a series of flowing movements and focused breathing techniques.Class Features: Suitable for all mobility levels - whether you use a wheelchair, walking aid, or move independently Low-impact exercise that improves balance and flexibility Promotes relaxation and mindfulness Welcoming and supportive environment Benefits of Tai Chi for Neurological Conditions 🌿Tai Chi offers significant benefits for people living with MS and Parkinson's disease. This ancient Chinese practice combines slow, deliberate movements with mindful breathing and mental focus, creating a holistic exercise that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.Physical Benefits: Improves balance and reduces fall risk Enhances flexibility and range of motion Strengthens muscles without strain Improves posture and body awareness Neurological Benefits: Helps manage tremors and improves motor control Enhances coordination and spatial awareness Supports neuroplasticity through new movement patterns May help slow progressive symptoms Mental Wellbeing Benefits: Reduces stress and anxiety Improves focus and concentration Promotes mindfulness and present-moment awareness Creates a sense of accomplishment and confidence Our classes are designed to be adaptable, allowing each participant to practice at their own pace and within their comfort zone. The slow, controlled nature of Tai Chi makes it particularly suitable for those with varying levels of mobility and physical capability. 🌟
Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury
Thu 28 May
09:00 amParkinson's Potential Class | MS & Parkinson's Canterbury
🧠 Parkinson's Potential is a specialised fitness class designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease. Most exercises are performed while standing to enhance coordination and cardiovascular endurance. Participants should be able to get up and down from the floor independently.This class is suitable for multiple fitness levels, making it accessible whether you have limited mobility, reasonable fitness, or are more physically confident.Benefits of Specialised Parkinson's Exercise Classes 💪Regular exercise is particularly valuable for people living with Parkinson's disease. Specialized classes like Parkinson's Potential offer targeted benefits that general fitness classes may not provide.Research shows that consistent, appropriate exercise for people with Parkinson's can: Improve mobility and balance: Reducing fall risk and increasing confidence in everyday movements Enhance coordination: Working on the specific motor skills that Parkinson's can affect Boost cardiovascular health: Supporting overall wellbeing and energy levels Slow symptom progression: Studies suggest regular exercise may help manage Parkinson's symptoms Create community connection: Exercise in a supportive environment with others who understand your experience Standing exercises are particularly beneficial as they help maintain posture, strengthen core muscles, and improve weight-shifting abilities that are crucial for everyday activities and preventing falls.At MS-PD Canterbury, you'll work with instructors who understand the unique challenges of Parkinson's disease and can tailor the program to your needs while encouraging you to safely challenge yourself. 🌟
Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury
Thu 28 May
09:30 amBalance and Mobility Classes | Pioneer Stadium Chch
Improve your balance, mobility, and confidence with our targeted Balance & Mobility classes, designed specifically for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s. These sessions use focused standing exercises to enhance balance, coordination, gait, and core strength—supporting safer, more confident movement in everyday life.Held at Pioneer Stadium in Christchurch, the programme offers expert-led training in a supportive, small-group environment.⚠️ Important: These classes are only available to clients diagnosed with MS or Parkinson’s. A pre-class assessment is required before attending to ensure the programme is suitable for your needs.Why Balance & Mobility Training Matters 🌿Balance and mobility exercises are key for maintaining independence, reducing fall risk, and supporting safe movement—especially for those with neurological conditions. Our specialised classes help you build skills that translate directly to everyday life.Benefits include: Better stability on uneven surfaces (great for Kiwi outdoor terrain!) Improved coordination and reaction times Stronger core muscles for posture and balance Increased confidence and reduced fear of falling Greater independence in daily tasks A safe and supportive group setting to stay motivated Each session is built around functional movements that challenge your balance and activate the muscles that matter most. You’ll work at your own pace with guidance from experienced instructors who understand the needs of people with MS and Parkinson’s.Join our welcoming community at Pioneer Stadium and take positive steps toward better balance and improved quality of life.
Somerfield, Christchurch, Canterbury
Thu 28 May
11:00 amMove For Life: Seated Exercise in Christchurch
🪑 Move For Life is an inclusive exercise class designed to improve strength, range of motion, and coordination through seated or standing exercises. Suitable for people with mobility challenges including wheelchair users.This supportive class is perfect for those with limited mobility who use walking aids, those with reasonable mobility who can walk unassisted, and people with good mobility looking to maintain fitness.Benefits of Seated Exercise Classes for Mobility & Wellbeing 💪Seated exercise classes like Move For Life provide essential physical activity opportunities for Kiwis with varying mobility levels. These specialised sessions offer numerous benefits: Improved joint mobility - Gentle movements help maintain and increase range of motion in key joints Enhanced strength - Targeted exercises build functional muscle strength for everyday activities Better coordination - Carefully designed movements improve neurological connections and body awareness Increased confidence - Exercising in a supportive environment builds physical and mental confidence Social connection - Group classes provide valuable social interaction and peer support Seated exercises are particularly valuable for those with neurological conditions, arthritis, balance issues, or anyone recovering from injury. The beauty of these classes is their adaptability - exercises can be modified to suit individual needs and capabilities.Regular participation in seated exercise has been shown to help maintain independence, reduce fall risk, and improve quality of life. Even light physical activity can boost mood and cognitive function, making these classes beneficial for both body and mind. 🧠✨
Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury
Thu 28 May
12:30 pmParkinson's Power: High-Intensity Class in Christchurch
💪 Parkinson's Power is a specialised high-intensity fitness class designed for people with early-stage Parkinson's who are seeking a proper challenge. This energetic programme focuses particularly on improving balance and coordination through demanding exercises.This class is suitable for individuals who: Have early-stage Parkinson's Are looking for a challenging workout Have reasonable to good mobility Are comfortable with physical activities Benefits of High-Intensity Exercise for Parkinson's 🧠 🏋️♀️Research shows that regular high-intensity exercise can be particularly beneficial for people living with Parkinson's disease. These specialised workouts are designed to help manage symptoms and potentially slow disease progression.Our Parkinson's Power class incorporates evidence-based exercises that specifically target the movement challenges associated with Parkinson's. The programme includes dynamic movements, challenging balance exercises, and coordination activities designed to engage both body and mind.The class environment is supportive and motivating, allowing participants to push their limits in a safe space among others who understand the unique challenges of Parkinson's. Our expert instructors modify exercises as needed while maintaining the high-intensity nature of the workout.
Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury
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