Parkinson’s Karate Club
About the Parkinson’s Karate Club
I have returned to practicing Karate to keep my Parkinson’s at bay. I invite others to join me. Stance, footwork, and balance are fundamental skills in Karate. They provide the foundation for using the whole body to block and punch. Balance is too precious, so I do not practice kicking.
Forty years ago, I was a serious student of Karate and worked my way up to Black Belt. Ultimately managing a branch Dojo for the Washington Karate Association. But things change. I got married, went back to my original career and moved away.
After my diagnosis my doctor said that rigorous exercise was the key staving off the effects of Parkinsons. I joined the YMCA’s Pedaling for Parkinson’s and the Rock Steady Boxing programs. Rock Steady Boxing is offered locally at Cappy’s Gym in Seattle and at the Parkinson’s Wellness Place in Snohomish. Both programs are excellent and obviously designed by people who understand the physical conditioning needs of people with Parkinsons. I was struck by how closely the boxing regime resembled basic karate, not the flashy versions shown on television and in movies, but fundamental karate.
The beauty of Karate is that once you learn the basics you can practice solo, at home or in a park. A spin room or boxing gym is not necessary. As with all exercise programs working out with others is so much better than solo. There is a lot to be said for peer pressure. I would never have believed that I could spin for an hour.
The Shoreline YMCA, where I take my spin classes, has agreed to let us meet in one of their exercise rooms. The Karate Club is not a YMCA program. Like Pedaling for Parkinsons participants do not need to be Y members to participate. There is no fee.
Join me if you would like to explore the benefits of Karate to fight back against Parkinsons. A side benefit is learning self-defense skills.
If you would like to participate, contact me.
Allen Alston
(206) 327-2311
alston12@comcast.net
