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About Classes at PWP

Our exercise classes are set in a welcoming, fun, and supportive environment. Exercises focus on functional movement, balance, strength, endurance, and cognition.

Research shows that when taken at the appropriate level, these specialized programs can slow the progression of Parkinson’s, helping participants maintain or improve their ability to perform daily tasks—better equipping people with Parkinson’s to live the life they love.

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Class levels

Parkinson’s disease affects everyone differently and presents with a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Our classes are designed to accommodate all participants at every level, regardless of where they are in their journey.

To ensure that we are providing effective and safe programs, our classes are divided into four levels designated by numbers. When you’re ready to join our classes, book an assessment to determine what level best suits your needs.

LEVELS

For participants who can exercise without limitations and can tolerate a high-intensity class. Be prepared for rapid transitions in a varied class of cardiovascular conditioning, strength and balance exercises, floor work, and functional movements.

For participants who can tolerate moderate to high-intensity exercise, can get on and off the floor without assistance, and can move at a brisk pace between exercises. You should be comfortable performing muti-directional exercises in a standing position at this level. Be prepared for cardiovascular conditioning, strength and balance exercises, floor work, functional movements, and cognitive activities.

For participants who can tolerate low to moderate-intensity exercise, are unable to get on and off the floor without assistance, and may require a support device for certain activities. You may have difficulty dual-tasking and will benefit from more time in between exercises, along with repeated instructions and cueing. Be prepared for functional movements, mobility exercises, and cognitive activities. These classes will be offered in a combination of seated and standing positions. This is also a great place to start if you are returning from an illness or injury, or are new to exercise and prefer to build up to a more intense level.

For participants who can tolerate low-intensity exercise, and require the use of a wheelchair, or walker, or require a care partner. Although these classes are performed in a chair, they will provide a mix of movements for combined motor and cognitive activities. Be prepared for a challenging but fun workout that will benefit your daily functional living.  Participants are encouraged to bring someone to support them during the workout.

PWP Classes

Discover a wide selection of classes that are designed to inspire, educate, and empower people of all levels. Our instructors are passionate about Parkinson’s disease and are committed to supporting you.

  • Based on PWR!Moves™, this class targets specific symptoms of Parkinson’s disease including rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. The PWR!Moves™ are building blocks for everyday movement and focus on large amplitude, high effort, and attention to action in multiple postures. Cognitive challenges and functional movements are included during exercise to help improve participants’ ability to complete daily tasks and live the life they love!

  • This class is mandatory for all participants prior to attending their first full RSB class. Fighters will learn the basics of body positioning and how to throw a punch! It’s also a great re-introduction to boxing for those who have been away.

  • Based on the Dance for PD™ model, Dance for Parkinson’s uses movement from modern dance, ballet, folk dance, improvisation, and choreographic repertory to address specific concerns associated with PD. Using elements of narrative, imagery, music and community, the dancers develop artistry and grace while improving balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation, and depression. This class starts seated with options to move to standing.

  • Focusing on breathing functionality, spine alignment, and trunk stability, this class challenges basic proprioception and motor control. Participants will use a chair to accomplish the seated exercises and to assist with balance during the standing poses.

  • FFM is a program designed by physiotherapist Naomi Casiro. This exclusive exercise-based treatment program uses gait training, stability/mobility flows, global movements and falls training to improve function and help you move better than you ever thought you could! Be prepared to work hard and learn to move in new and fantastic ways. Level 1 is geared towards those who are walking without gait aids, and are able to get up and down off the floor without assistance. Level 2 is geared towards those who may or may not use a gait aid, who have significant trouble with balance, and may need extra time or assistance to get up and down off the floor.

  • This is a standing movement class that focuses on cardiovascular conditioning, mindful strength practices, and balance challenges. A great way to start the day, and an energizing way to cultivate strength and stability.

  • This well-rounded class focuses on movement and activities that will carry over into daily life and help keep participants engaged. Included are voice activation, cognition activities, stretching, range of motion, dexterity, breathing and mindfulness. This class also incorporates some fun Rock Steady Boxing and PWR!Moves™ to get the heart rate up!

  • Led by certified Rock Steady Boxing coaches, RSB helps participants condition their bodies for optimal agility, balance, strength, reaction time, dexterity, and improved cognitive abilities - but of course, fun is always part of the equation. The circuit-like stations provide an intense no-contact workout, with and without boxing gloves. *All fighters are required to purchase gloves, wraps, and a t-shirt to participate in RSB.

  • Let’s take it up a notch! This class incorporates the same foundations as Dance for PD, with increased challenges and technical components. Dancers do not need any experience to join this fun-filled class. This class starts and remains standing.

  • This class explores standing practices for strength and balance, floor practices for therapeutic movement, and gentle core practices to support the spine. Each class ends with relaxation; exploring different strategies to help support the nervous system.

  • An inclusive music and singing group for anyone who enjoys music. Led by a certified music therapist, these sessions will include familiar songs and opportunities to jam and improvise together, enabling us to experience the many physical, mental, and emotional benefits of group music-making.

  • Did you know? Table Tennis has been shown to improve Parkinson’s symptoms such as facial expression, posture, rigidity, slowness of movement and hand tremors. Led by a table tennis instructor, this all-levels class is perfect for training your dexterity and socialize.

Meet our instructors

  • Amanda Irving

    PWPFIT!

    Whether you need to be pushed to your max, or you need gentle coaching, Amanda is dedicated to helping you reach your goals. Amanda has worked as Fitness Coach for over 20 years, with certifications in Strength Training and Personal Training. She enjoys the energy of group classes but also finds it extremely rewarding to work one on one.

    After a car accident in 2013, Amanda began to understand even more how limitations in people’s movement can affect all aspects of health. She was persistent in making a full recovery from her injuries, and went on to complete courses involving corrective exercise techniques and pain prevention, as well as courses enabling her to work specifically with older populations and those affected by dementia and Parkinson’s disease, focusing on leading rehabilitation courses focusing on helping people with many chronic conditions.

  • Delilah Smyth

    DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S, PWPFIT!

    A retired ballet dancer, a choreographer, and a dance educator, Delilah loves to help people improve their quality of life and find joy in movement. After dancing as a First Soloist with the Louisville Ballet from 1992 – 2007, Delilah became the ballet’s Director of Education. In that role she developed movement programs for all levels of the Louisville public school system, conducted residency programs in a range of community organizations and led Lecture Demonstrations across the state of Kentucky.

    After spending two years training in the Dance for PD program at the Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, New York, Delilah was awarded a Stanley J. Wertheimer Fellowship by Mark Morris Dance Group in May of 2019. An award-winning choreographer, she has arranged pieces for dance, opera and musical theater productions. She is thrilled to bring her love of movement, theater and dance to this amazing community.

  • Shannon Perkins

    MUSIC FOR HEALTH

    A certified music therapist, Shannon is passionate about using music as a means to connect, heal, and support people with a range of needs and challenges. She moved from BC to the UK in 2008, where she provided music therapy for Richmond Music Trust, including extensive work with children on the autism spectrum, with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or who have been abused or neglected.

    Since returning to BC in 2019, Shannon has set up Connecting Through Music, providing music therapy for clients including young people with ASD and additional needs. She also provides composition and theory lessons, is a member of guitar duo the FireNerds and the Victoria Guitar Society’s Community Guitar Ensemble, and is the Treasurer of the Swing Dance Association of Victoria. When she’s not making music or dancing, Shannon runs Dancing Moon Designs, selling handmade notebooks and crocheted items.

  • Janice Arnot

    STRENGTH & BALANCE, YOGA

    Janice Arnot is a certified Yoga Therapist, using the therapeutic application of new and ancient yoga practices to deal with both physical issues and limitations and other more nuanced issues like stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Janice has over 20 years’ experience teaching aquatics, fitness and yoga classes in the community. As a Yoga Therapist and teacher, she is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of mindful exercise and breath practices.

    Janice is also a BCRPA certified fitness instructor specializing in older adult aquatic fitness and aquatic yoga. She is thrilled to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Parkinson Wellness Projects as our yoga instructor.

  • Janine Herron

    ROCK STEADY BOXING, PWPFIT!

    Janine’s passion for more than 30 years has been to create engaging and vigorous, science-based fitness programs. There is a spiritedness in PD fighters that is not found in the standard athlete, and she uses that unique energy to fuel her programming. Her goal is for each participant to feel energized and empowered at the end of training. Janine is a certified kinesiologist, Rock Steady Boxing coach, Active Aging instructor and Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddle Board instructor.

    Janine is a big believer in functional fitness, focusing on the “Go” more than the “Show”. The participants who she has had the pleasure of meeting in her classes have greatly inspired her with their unparalleled grit and determination.

  • Jaz Ibarra

    TAI CHI

    Jaz Ibarra graduated from the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts (Belgium) and worked as a Sculptor, Illustrator and French and Fine Arts Teacher in Europe, Syria and Mexico for more than 15 years. As an artist, she took great delight in exploring Art Therapy, and eventually realized Manual Therapy was a wonderful fusion between art and health care. In Canada, Jaz worked as a RMT and Tutor/Instructor at a Massage Therapy College in Calgary, before moving to BC in 2018.

    Jaz works as a Registered Manual Osteopathic practitioner, and a Tai Chi instructor with Postureffect. Among other Osteopathy-related programs, she is the creator of “Tai Chi Therapy, an Osteopathic approach to Tai Chi” and “Aquatic Tai Chi Therapy.” Jaz enjoys using her skills to help the Parkinson community move and feel better.

  • Naomi Casiro

    FFM 1, FFM 2

    ​Born and raised in Winnipeg, Naomi moved to BC to complete her degrees and swim competitively for the University of Victoria. After completing her Masters Degree in Physiotherapy in 2012, Naomi quickly became focused on Neuro Rehab. Over time treating people living with Parkinson’s disease has grown as both a focus of her passion, clinical work and post graduate education.

    Naomi founded NeuroFit BC to allow her to both better serve the Parkinson’s population through physiotherapy and exercise, and educate other health professionals. Naomi spends her time running PD classes, treating clients, teaching student physiotherapists at UBC, and offering courses to health professionals about the incredible impact of exercise and neuroplasticity on those living with PD.

    When not in the clinic Naomi can be found playing with her little girls, doing her favourite exercises (which include weight lifting, martial arts and swimming), or baking treats in the kitchen.

  • Willy McCrea

    PWPFIT!

    Willy is a certified group fitness instructor, for 37 years. Her journey includes many experiences to enhance her knowledge and expertise in fitness. She also acquired a UVIC Fitness Appraiser certificate.

    While working with a Chiropractor, she developed an interest in rehabilitative exercise programs, which was fueled by her passion to help people. Utilizing the Stability Ball, became an expert in the development of core strength techniques for spinal injuries, chronic and age-related issues. She was invited to bring this program to the YMCA. She has been at the YMCA for 23 years, eventually the program became accessible to all levels of fitness.

    Willy brings a legacy of experience in teaching various fitness programs. Her strength is her extensive knowledge and practice, but her specialty is motivation. Her father developed Parkinson’s Disease in his 70’s, which makes working at PWP even more meaningful to her. She also runs a bookkeeping business.

    She resides in Metchosin with her husband, they love to spend time at their Pender Island cottage, boating and travelling. She has two grown children and enjoys spending time with her 2 adult granddaughters.

  • Rachel Schmidt

    PWPFIT!

    Rachel has been fascinated with how the human body moves, and how all the parts of the body work together to allow that to happen. She continuously strives to learn more, so that she might be able to better serve and educate her clients when they come to see her.

    Rachel has experience teaching a wide variety of classes from HIIT and TRX to senior balances classes of various levels. She brings this experience with her to inform accurate exercise prescription as you pursue your goals.

    Rachel has worked with a diverse clientele ranging from wheel chair athletes, high level hockey players, injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, and to anyone who just needs extra support getting back to doing the things they love.

  • Lisa Macquisten

    ROCK STEADY BOXING

    Lisa grew up in the States, but came north after meeting her Canadian hockey-playing husband at university. She completed her BSc in Nutrition at University of Alberta & MSc in Exercise Science at Seattle Pacific University. With a focus on wellness, she worked for the Edmonton YMCA as Women’s Fitness Director before moving to Victoria & starting a family in 1991. Between her children and her personal interests, she found herself sitting on various boards from school PACs to Little League to Girl Guides to BC Cancer’s Jingle Mingle. She sought out PWP after returning from a hometown visit with her father who has been battling Parkinson’s for over 25 years. Feeling grateful that her Dad had such wonderful people looking after him in her absence, she felt she could be of help to someone else’s loved ones here in Victoria.

  • Kate Johnson

    PWPFIT!

    Kate is a registered physiotherapist who works in neurological rehabilitation. She graduated with Distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelors of Science in Combined Biology and Psychology, and went on to receive her Masters degree in Physiotherapy from the University of British Columbia. Kate is also a Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Certified Therapist.

    Kate has experience working with adults and children of all ages with a wide variety of neurological conditions, though she is particularly passionate about Parkinson’s disease. She believes in empowering individuals through movement to achieve healthy bodies and healthy minds. She loves group exercise, and is thrilled to bring her knowledge and expertise to PWP’s group fitness classes.

    Kate grew up as a competitive dancer, so outside of PWP you can usually find her taking a dance class, going on long bike rides, or reading books on the beach.

  • Tat Ma

    TABLE TENNIS

    Tat's journey with table tennis began back in 1970, when he was just a senior at Esquimalt High School. From those early days, table tennis has been more than just a hobby for him; it's been a lifelong passion that has woven its way through his personal and professional adventures.

    Throughout his career in Digital Mapping and Geographic Information Systems, which has taken him across the globe to places like Victoria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Clearwater, Dawson Creek, and Iqaluit, Tat has always found a way to stay connected to his love for table tennis. Whether he was playing, promoting, teaching, or even founding table tennis clubs, Tat's dedication to the sport has been unwavering, no matter where life has taken him.

    Since returning to Victoria in 2016, Tat has continued to pour his heart into the table tennis community. It's not just about the game for him; it's about the people and the connections he makes along the way. From volunteering as a "Facilitator" at Cedar Hill Recreation to lending a hand at Silver Threads Service for the "Table Tennis for Parkinson’s" program, Tat's involvement goes beyond the court.

    But perhaps one of Tat's proudest accomplishments is being one of the founders and serving as the vice-president of the South Island Table Tennis Club. It's not just a club to him; it's a community where he can share his passion with others who feel the same.

    Tat is the coach of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in Table Tennis, Level 2. He is a provincial umpire in table tennis, working towards becoming a national umpire and an international umpire. His dream is to umpire in the Olympic Games for table tennis.

  • Jake Lawson

    Jake completed his Bachelor's in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria in 2023. From university courses and volunteer experiences, Jake has become very passionate about working with the neurologically atypical population and sharing the joy of physical activity with everyone.

    Throughout his life, he has enjoyed a wide range of physical activity and has coached/instructed sports ranging from basketball to paddleboarding providing a holistic approach to health and fitness. During his free time, Jake enjoys playing guitar, reading, and exploring the great outdoors.

READY TO START JOINING CLASSES?

Meet our kinesiologist for an assessment today!