“LIFE in spite of PILLS”
The P.L.L.U.S. Program was established as a collaboration between the Westwood Village Rotary Club and the Westside Family YMCA. The program is designed specifically for participants with movement disorders, in particular those with Parkinson’s Disease. The program adheres to the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities, suggesting that the focus of exercise for this population should concentrate on stretching, aerobic activity, functional movements, and muscle strengthening. As such, the program incorporates exercises designed to increase flexibility, improve posture, and increase functional mobility, including a combination of range of motion exercises, joint flexibility exercises, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training. The class can be performed from both a standing position as well as in a seated position, if necessary. In addition to the exercise portion of the program, the P.L.L.U.S. Program also involves a support group which meets bimonthly to meet the emotional needs of our participants.
Find A P.E.P. Near You
To find a Parkinson's Exercise Program (P.E.P.) near you, click on the following link:
Order an Exercise Video
To order your own Parkinson's exercise video, send a check for $5 ($10 for International shipping and return address to:
- The Westside Family YMCA
- PLLUS Program
- 11311 La Grange Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90025.
Parkinson's Exercise FAQ’s
- Exercise has been shown to be an excellent add-on therapy for Parkinson's disease
- Some benefits of exercise in PD include:
- Increased cardiovascular fitness
- Prevention of joint deformity
- Improved joint mobility
- Improved coordination and balance
- Increased muscle strength and flexibility
- Reduced muscle cramping
- Improved posture
- Improved control over gross motor movements, such as walking
- Reduced stress levels
- Greater confidence in performing daily activities.
A Story of two FRIENDS
The P.L.L.U.S. Program first began in 1996 as a collaborative project between the Westwood Village Rotary Club and the Westside Family YMCA.
The P.L.L.U.S. Program has its origin in a heartwarming story of friendship between Rotarians, Wally Fischmann and Henry Tseng. Wally and Henry were active, longtime participants in the “Early Riser” exercise classes at the YMCA.
When Wally was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984 and developed the typical symptoms of the disease, such as shuffling walk, hunched shoulders, slurred speech, hand tremors, and head bobbing, and was no longer able to attend exercise classes, Henry became determined to help him return to the YMCA. Wally and Henry recruited a team of experts, including a neurologist and physical therapist, to develop a sequence of exercises and teaching techniques and established the P.L.L.U.S. Program.
Founders of the P.L.L.U.S. Program, Henry Tseng (left) and Wally Fischmann (left).