Parkinson’s boxing with Lori B. Havas
Why box?
Boxing challenges the brain to create new circuits which lead to neuroplasticity, enhancing the brain’s ability to rewire and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Many participants express that they see the boxing bags as Parkinson’s disease—and they are fighting the disease through punching the bags.
Benefits of Parkinson’s boxing classes include:
- Increased strength, speed and muscular endurance.
- Improved hand-eye coordination, balance, agility, reaction time and posture.
- Better cognitive processing and mental focus.
- Relief of symptoms related to soft-voice disorders.
- Stronger core, which can lead to a better gait.
What’s your “why?”
Each of us has a unique motivation for engaging in the battle against Parkinson’s disease. What drives you?
- Returning to activity you feel like this disease has suppressed or taken away from you?
- Spending more time with your family?
- Being strong enough to give back to your community?
- The ability to walk, talk and move better?
What’s your motivation?
If you want to feel better, increase your range of mobility and spend more time doing what you love to do? Then come train with us.
Testimonials
I have been attending Lori Havas’ Parkinson’s exercise class in Eugene for a year now, and I love it! She brings infectious joy and humor to each class, and well-researched exercise and boxing routines that challenge us physically and mentally, and yet are fun. I believe that my participation has slowed and stabilized the progression of PD and given me hope for a longer life of health and vitality. —Don
I truly enjoy this class because I never feel judged, we are all here in the same fight against this thing called Parkinson’s. It gives me the greatest sense of camaraderie! —Shimona
Our Founder and Coach
Lori B. Havas, our founder and executive director, is an American College of Sports Medicine-certified exercise physiologist and Parkinson’s fitness specialist. Since 2010, she’s been dedicated to serving individuals with Parkinson’s in Eugene, earning the 2019 Health Care Hero Award in Lane County.
Passionate about holistic wellness, she specializes in science-based exercise programs tailored for Parkinson’s patients, including non-contact boxing. Her journey began in 2010 when she started training a member with Parkinson’s, prompting her to seek certifications in Delay the Disease and PWR MOVES! She founded Oregon Parkinson’s Warriors in 2018, offering specialized programming that is unique to the area.
“Exercise is key when you have Parkinson’s disease to help you manage the many symptoms and to help you regain control of your life. But what type of exercise is best? Ultimately, it’s what you like to do. What’s something that you’ll stick with and will help you get to the level of intensity that’s required to help you fight the disease? Many people who live with Parkinson’s disease have found that boxing exercise does it all.”
—Lori B. Havas, founder and executive director
