Staying Mobile While Sheltering in Place

Because of the “stay at home” order in California, three of the activities that help me stave off PD progression (bodywork, yoga class and boxing) are currently not available. For now, it’s up to me to keep my body feeling comfortable.

Aerobic dancing in the 80’s.

Dance is widely recommended as therapy for people with PD, but I’ve resisted it, thinking that it wouldn’t be strenuous enough. (Vigorous exercise is the only thing proven to slow progression of Parkinson’s Disease, hence, boxing.) But I’ve danced all my life. I have a music streaming service and space in my living room—why not dance?  What better time than now?

 Morning Routine

I’ve set aside a time to do this every day: I begin on the floor, rolling around, stretching, noticing what aches, what wants to lengthen, what needs to let go.  It’s nothing you could call “dancing” but more like an internal inventory:  what are my sensations today? I might repeat a movement over and over until a new movement happens on its own. I take my time, resisting the urge to “fix” what I think should move more gracefully. If I stay within today’s comfort zone, movement gradually becomes freer without force.

Good music inspires movement

For this part of my “session” I’ve been playing Stephan Micus, Elina Duni, Jami Sieber, and Klaus Weise, and for a change of pace, Carla Morrison. These artists’ music lets me settle into whatever feeling might emerge: fear, frustration, grief, gratitude, pleasure. Letting those feelings and sensations flow through my body makes room for me to access my patience with being sequestered.

After 30 minutes or more, I change the music to something more active: Gino D’Auri, Nicolas Jaar, Nu, Jack White, Bobby McFerrin—there’s so much music in this world! By this time, the slow movement has garnered my energy so that when I stand up I’m both less stiff and less inhibited.

Body Schema

I get something out of this that none of my other movement activities provides. I start to re-inhabit the left side of my body. Few people would notice this, but I can feel it.  If you’ve read about body schema (pp 53-4 in Your Body Mandala), you’ll understand this. Parkinson’s Disease has distorted the neurological map of my body.  It’s as if the left side is hazier, less detailed. By moving slowly, with full attention on the sensations of the movement, I stand up feeling less lopsided. It’s as if I’ve recovered pixels in my neuro-image. (It’s not a done deal—I have to persist, a little every day.)

Creativity and Generosity in the Virus Time

I think it’s fabulous that DJ D-Nice is hosting dance parties on Instagram. Go there—move, knowing that thousands of others are with you in spirit. There is also an extensive list of online exercise resources here — free stuff on YouTube, and fitness programs that have free trial periods. I’ve been going to these online dance classes: GagaPeople Online.

But I recommend solitary, comtemplative movement as well. By patiently sensing your body in detail, you expand your body schema, literally restoring your nerve and making yourself more whole.

© 2020 Mary Bond