POCATELLO — The Pocatello Parkinson’s support group meets for our regular monthly meeting on the second Monday at 11 a.m. at the Monte Vista Hills Health Center 1071 Renee Ave. We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our program to include weekly programs involving various types of exercise. We are inviting anyone with any type of movement disorders to join us. The speaker at our regular meeting will be Chris Owen from the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, and on June 3 at 7 p.m., Dr. Patrick Nicholson, a neurologist will speak to us.

The new classes are planned to begin in June and are based on the idea that for Parkinson’s patients there is one proven way to help yourself and that is to be fit and exercise. Adding exercise to your routine will be sure to improve your overall health and sense of well being. Exercise is the one thing individuals can do to delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Time and time again research has shown the benefits of multiple forms of exercise.

The initial programs are anticipated to start the first week of June. We will offer three classes that vary with the type of exercise utilized. Our initial classes will be a dance class we are calling Therapeutic Dancing, a class called Move and Shout that exercises the voice along with the muscles and a boxing class focusing on movement of feet along with arms.

The dance class involves instruction and practice in dance movements emphasizing the learning of dance steps to voice commands. Benefits include movement and exercise of the brain. Techniques of square and round dancing to benefit those with movement disorders of all types. It will be held Thursdays at 3 p.m. at Sullivan’s RV Park, 1935 S. Fifth Ave., and will start June 6.

The Move and Shout class is a group exercise program involving movements and coordination with voice exercises. Can serve as a follow-up group practice for LSVT BIG and LOUD therapy. It will be held on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. at Monte Vista Hills, 1071 Renee Ave. in Pocatello, starting June 4.

The boxing class will include participation in group boxing activities with gloves and bags. Activities involve leg/foot and arm/hand coordination along with voice exercises. Day and times are not determined yet, but location is anticipated to be Gate City Boxing Club at 323 N. Main St. in Pocatello.

We are working on a website at https://seimovdis.org where we will have a calendar and information about classes and activities.