Let Us EduTrain You™
PD-Connect® is live streaming virtual exercise classes on Zoom and in-person classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Get Connected
Welcome To PD-Connect
PD-Connect® is a nonprofit organization that serves Parkinson’s pioneers in the San Francisco Bay Area through customized group exercise, neurologically and research-based movement programs.
PD-Connect is an ever-widening community for those who share the PD journey: Spouses, family members, friends and caregivers are encouraged to become involved and draw upon the positive energy that is demonstrated through program participants.
PD-Connect provides donation-based classes for all those living with Parkinson’s disease.
What Is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that affects the cells in the brain. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms can include slowness of movement, stiffness, tremor, or balance and gait problems. For many patients of PD, frequent bouts of cognitive imbalance are common. And let’s not forget, there is no cure for PD at this time.
What We Value
We are guided by these core values that give us purpose & direction in all that we do:
Kindness and Compassion
We strive to be gentle with ourselves and others, knowing that everyone is doing the very best they can.
Sense of Belonging
PD-Connect fosters relationships and community. It strives to create an atmosphere of inclusion for all who join with us.
Flexibility
Each day presents a gift of life and the opportunity for adventure.
Dignity
We value the special contribution every individual brings to our community.
Respect
PD-Connect honors the goodness and uniqueness in every participant.
Joyfulness
We strive to unlock the reservoir of happiness and hope that lies within each of us!
Newsletters
Q: What Motivates You To Exercise? A: My caregiver getting up and clanking in the kitchen–otherwise I might stay in bed longer. -Mr. Short
We asked our community what motivates them to exercise. Here's what they said: My caregiver getting up and clanking around in the kitchen --...
Strive for progress, not perfection.
Hello PD-Connectors!!! QUESTION: What motivates you to exercise? Email me with your answer! We know that exercise is like medicine and it is one of...
Healing is a direction, not a destination. It’s a line on a map, not a dot.
So, I'm in the 16th hour of an 18+ hour audiobook by Gabor Maté titled The Myth of Normal. There are so many fascinating accounts of...
Our Programs
Exercise is medicine, but all exercise is NOT created equal
Research-based and an integration of meaningful movements as seen through the eyes of a physical therapist specializing in Parkinson’s. PD-Connect classes draw from a variety of Parkinson’s-specific protocols, including OhioHealth’s Delay The Disease™ (The #1 Parkinson’s Exercise Program), PWR!Moves®, NeuroMotorTraining (Karl Sterling), Brian Grant Foundation Boot Camp, Dance for PD®, ParkinsonWise, YogaReach Mindful Movement for Parkinson’s Disease, and adapted movements from martial arts and sports. The focus of each class centers around the principles of cardiovascular health, cognitive well-being, and core-strengthening, all tailored to address the predominant symptoms of PD. The goal of each class is to improve functional mobility, neuroplasticity, balance, strength, voice, cognition, posture, confidence, reduction of freezing, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Our Movement Programs
High-Intensity Exercise Class: All Levels Class (Join us on Zoom)
The research shows that high-intensity exercise is linked with better outcomes for Parkinson’s disease. Introducing a high-intensity, highly-focused group exercise class specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. This class has grown in popularity thanks to a one-year National Parkinson’s Foundation grant earned in 2017. Classes are tailored towards newly-diagnosed, or high-functioning people with Parkinson’s (those who are able to walk, run, and jump without assistance or supervision). Classes are taught with modifications for those who prefer to remain seated, or for those with other factors limiting their standing ability. Simultaneous instruction in standing and sitting makes this class appropriate for all levels.
MO Better Mondays- Stretching and Posture (Join us on Zoom)
Stretching and good posture are essential to maintain optimal function. Join us for a class of dynamic stretches that will specifically address the joints and muscles affected most by Parkinson’s. Led by physical therapist Maureen (Mo).
Our Support Groups
The Wednesday Dialogue (Join us on Zoom)
We love being a COMMUNITY! So join us for an open forum where people with Parkinson’s can have a frank dialogue. Share your local resources, learn about how others are managing their symptoms, or express the trials and triumphs of your journey with PD. Meetings are every other Wednesday.
First Monday of the Month Support Group Speaker Series (Join us on Zoom)
FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH Come learn and listen from guest speakers from around the world. Hear inspiring and informative talks about research, personal experience, and ways to live your best with PD.
Care Partner Support Group (Join us on Zoom and LIMITED SPACE In-Person in San Francisco)
2ND MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH. Join other care partners and share amongst yourselves. This is led by and for care partners only- friends, family members, colleagues, health team members are all welcome.
Specialized Program
First BIG Step Program™
For newly diagnosed people with Parkinson’s disease, it’s essential to “get off on the right foot.” Our aim is to deliver in underserved areas a PD-focused exercise program featuring a motivational, dynamic, and educational experience.
NEXT VIRTUAL OFFERING ON ZOOM:
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13th, 10:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)
Calendar – In Person
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Petaluma PD-Connect Class
Location: Petaluma Senior Center
11:00 – 12:00 PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
Location: Piper Park
250 Doherty Drive
Larkspur, CA 94939
No In-Person Classes, Check Our Zoom Classs Calendar
11:00 – 12:00 PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
Location:
Douglass Playground
No In-Person Classes, Check Our Zoom Classs Calendar
Calendar – Zoom
10:00 – 10:45AM
Stretch and Posture: All Levels Class
1:30 – 2:30PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
11:00 – 12:00PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
1:30 – 2:30PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
11:00 – 12:00PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
1:30 – 2:30 PM
High-Intensity Exercise: All Levels Class
Locations
Douglass Playground – Basketball Court
Resources
An A-list of Parkinson’s information.
Testimonials
Donate
No gift is too small or too big to make a difference
In 2017, PD-Connect was one of only 14 nationwide recipients of a grant from the National Parkinson’s Foundation to expand its High-Intensity Exercise Classes. It also formed an inaugural team (formerly Team NeuroBlasters) and earned 2nd place in the Friends and Family Team category for raising the most funds for the National Parkinson’s Foundation MOVING DAY.
Starting in 2018, MarinLink has partnered with PD-Connect to serve as its fiscal sponsor, signaling its non-profit status as well as its intention to grow. In order to keep offering free classes for people with Parkinson’s through PD-Connect, all donations are welcome.
We are a non-profit organization. All donations are 501(c)(3) Tax-deductible.
If you would like to mail your donation, please send a check payable to:
PD-Connect P.O. Box 398, Corte Madera, CA 94976
Note: Larger one-time gifts, please pay by check, if possible.
PD-Connect is a fiscally sponsored project of MarinLink, a California non-profit corporation exempt from federal tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service #20-0879422.