Empower Motivation Fitness

09/10/2025

🥊 Double-End Bag for Parkinson’s

In EMF classes, we use the double-end bag to boost coordination, reaction time, and balance—key for managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Its unpredictable movement challenges both body and brain!

Watch this beginner's tutorial so you can become a Master in your next class!

A complete double end bag tutorial guide for beginners by Tony Jeffries. In this Double end bag guide you will learn how to setup, which size of double end b...

09/09/2025

💪 Stay Active Between Parkinson’s Classes with These Simple Exercises

Maintaining movement between classes is essential for managing Parkinson’s symptoms. This video from Stanford Medicine demonstrates easy exercises you can do at home to keep your body engaged and your mind sharp. No equipment needed—just a chair and your determination!

Join PFP Instructor Polly Caprio in this 6-minute Workout for 's Symptoms.Join PFP Instructor Polly Caprio in this extremely fun 6-minute workout t...

09/08/2025

🧗‍♂️ Climb High, Rise Strong! 💪

Join us for our next Rock Climbing Adventure 🧗‍♀️
📅 Wednesday, Aug 13 | ⏰ 2:30 PM
📍 Pip Moyer Rec Center

Challenge yourself. Build strength. Connect with community. 🌟

👉 Email dcasey@emfmaryland.org
to sign up!

09/07/2025

🎬 New Film: Beyond Impulse

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson’s are often overlooked. This powerful short film shares real stories and opens the conversation on behaviors like compulsive gambling and hypersexuality.

Watch & learn.

Neurologist Dr Ines Debove & filmmaker Bettina Rotzetter discuss their new Parkinson’s film, Beyond Impulse, about impulse control disorders

09/06/2025

🎶 Feel the Beat, Find Your Rhythm! 🎶 Join us for our next Music Class at EMF – a unique blend of movement, rhythm, and fun designed to lift your spirits and energize your body!

🗓 Tuesday, September 9
🕒 3:00 PM
💲 $25 per person – FREE for first-timers!

No musical experience needed – just come ready to move, groove, and connect! 💃🕺
Register with dcasey@emfmaryland.org 🎵

09/05/2025

🌟 Help Us Fight Parkinson's 🌟 Your donations mean the world to us and help fund vital EMF programs for the Parkinson's community, including Boxing, Healing Through Art, Music Therapy, Voice Fitness, and Support Groups.

There's no such thing as a small donation—every bit counts and is greatly appreciated! Please consider making a donation today. Your support makes a real difference!

🙏 Thank you for your generosity! 🙏
Donate here: https://emfmaryland.org/donate/

09/04/2025

💜 September is Dystonia Awareness Month 💜

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions, twisting, and repetitive movements. While it’s often overlooked, it affects many in our Parkinson’s community.

At EMF, we’re raising awareness and supporting those living with dystonia through movement, education, and community. Together, we can shine a light on this condition and empower those affected.

The painful muscle contractions of dystonia make daily life difficult. Through an alliance with the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation, our Foundation supports research to develop better treatments for the 500,000 people in North America living with dystonia.

09/03/2025

🥊 Fighting Parkinson’s, one punch at a time!

Matter of Mind: My Parkinson’s shares Veronica’s journey from diagnosis to becoming a Rock Steady Boxing coach—proving movement can be medicine. EMF therapies are also showing promise in supporting brain health, highlighting the power of innovation and action.

Watch the full story on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/matter-of-mind-my-parkinsons/

Movie about people with Parkinson's disease navigating their lives with resourcefulness and determination.

09/02/2025

🍂 Hello, September! We’re thrilled to kick off fall at Empower Motivation Fitness (EMF) with an exciting lineup of classes! From Rock Steady Boxing to Music Therapy, Voice Fitness, Art Class, and our Support Group, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s make this season one of strength, creativity, and connection. We can’t wait to see you in class!

09/01/2025

🎉🥊 Let’s throw a birthday jab (the fun kind!) to our knockout crew — Don, Karen, Cathy, Dale, Ken, Robert, Ed, John, and Pat! 🎂🎈

You all keep rollin’ with the punches and upper-cutting through Parkinson’s like champs! 💪 Every round you step into the ring, you show us what true strength, grit, and good humor look like.

We hope your birthdays are a total hit — filled with love, laughter, and maybe a few “punch” lines. 😄🎉

Keep floatin’ like butterflies and stingin’ like legends! 🥳

08/30/2025

✨ “Dance Out the Shuffle: Shake Up Parkinson’s with Movement!”

A clever controlled study compared tango, treadmill walking, and stretching over 12 weeks (two 1‑hour sessions per week) in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s.

✅ Tango improved backward walking, dynamic balance, and quality of life.
✅ Treadmill boosted forward walking and overall motor symptoms.
✅ Stretching (our often-underrated ally) delivered real improvements—especially once dancing or walking isn’t possible

At EMF, we couldn’t agree more—mixing things up is where the magic happens. Think stretching, footwork drills, and light dance-inspired moves between sessions are your secret weapons!

🤸‍♂️ Try our go-to stretch or groove-on-the-spot move to keep your mobility sharp on rest days.

📣 What’s your favorite way to shake off that stiffness? Share it below!

To investigate the short-term effects of a single dance class on motor and non-motor outcomes in people living with Parkinson’s. A crossover design was used. Nineteen people participated. All participants took part in both dance and lecture control ...

08/26/2025

Dogs bring joy and companionship to our lives, and their benefits for people with Parkinson's are truly remarkable. 🐾❤️

From providing emotional support to encouraging regular exercise, dogs can help improve both mental and physical well-being. Their presence can reduce stress, enhance mood, and even assist with daily routines.

To all the amazing dogs out there making a difference, thank you for your unconditional love and support! 🐶