Fight Back Softly: The Gentle Practices That Build Strength Against Parkinson’s
My name is Max Marcoux and today I am going to do my best to encourage you to be open to a calm and intentional form of exercise that builds balance, posture, confidence, and mobility from the inside out.
Slow, controlled “yoga-like” exercises can improve posture, flexibility, breathing, stress levels, and balance for people living with Parkinson’s — making everyday movement feel safer, steadier, and more confident.
I just finished co-leading a class with my partner Cheryl Marconi and we had 21 people in our gym and 14 people online, doing a one hour exercise class that looked very different than our regular Rock Steady Boxing class. The feedback we received was surprising. They loved it!
Why “Yoga-Like” Workouts Are Powerful for People Fighting Parkinson’s
When you’re living with Parkinson’s, movement isn’t just physical training — it’s a form of reclaiming control. High-energy workouts and strength training are incredibly important, but there is another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: slow, mindful, intentional movement.
“Yoga-like” training doesn’t require fancy poses or extreme flexibility. It simply blends breathwork, stretching, posture awareness, and balance — giving the nervous system tools to move with more ease and confidence. Here’s why this style of exercise is so beneficial:
1. Improves Balance and Helps Reduce Falls
These movements strengthen the stabilizer muscles that keep you upright and rock steady. They also retrain your sense of body awareness (proprioception), which can decline with Parkinson’s. The result: steadier walking, smoother transitions, and quicker reactions.
2. Reduces Stiffness and Improves Flexibility
Parkinson’s often causes rigidity, especially in the back, hips, and shoulders. Gentle stretching helps release tension, unlocks tight areas, and makes daily tasks — like getting dressed or turning in bed — feel easier.
3. Encourages Better Breathing and More Energy
Breathing often becomes shallow with Parkinson’s, which can lead to fatigue and posture collapse. Yoga-like breathing exercises strengthen the diaphragm, open the chest, and increase lung capacity — helping you feel more energized and alert.
4. Calms the Nervous System and Lowers Stress
Intentional breathing paired with slow movement tells the brain and body to relax. As stress decreases, tremors often feel less noticeable, and mood becomes calmer and more centered. Some of our gym members have also testified that meditation has worked wonders for them in this area. I encourage you to try and include some meditation throughout your week. I will discuss meditation in an upcoming blog post.
5. Builds Mind–Body Awareness
These practices help you learn to “listen” to your body again — restoring trust in how it moves. The more awareness you build, the more confident you feel in daily movement.
6. Supports Posture and Gait Training
Parkinson’s can pull the body forward or downward, affecting walking patterns. Yoga-like movement lengthens the spine, opens the chest, and strengthens the postural muscles — making walking feel taller, smoother, and more controlled.
7. Adaptable for Any Level of Mobility
This style of movement can be done:
Standing
Sitting in a chair
On a mat or floor
With support or assistive props
Every body can participate — and progress happens gently, at your own pace.
The Bigger Benefit: A Whole-Body Reset
Unlike many forms of exercise that target just muscles or endurance, mindful movement supports the whole body — the nervous system, posture, breathing, mobility, mood, and confidence. It teaches the body how to relax and move well at the same time — a vital skill when living with Parkinson’s.
You don’t have to be flexible to begin.
You just have to begin.
Call to Action
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s and would like to build flexibility, balance, and confidence through gentle guided movement, we’d love to support you.
Our classes combine safe mobility training with uplifting community and encouragement — so you never feel alone on this journey.
I will end this blog post the same way we ended our class today. (In a gentle, quiet voice) We are rock steady.
Hope to see you online or in the gym soon.
Our Journey: From Personal Training to Parkinson’s Gym
In 2006, I began working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at a large gym in Wellesley, MA. It was there that I met one of the kindest members of my class, Vicki. She often brought her daughter, Cheryl, to join in—and one day after class, Cheryl approached me with a question that would change both of our lives.
She asked how I became a personal trainer, curious about the process because she was considering a similar path. We stayed in touch over the next few months, and I invited her to help co-lead a class I was running for women looking to lose weight and build self-esteem. The class was a success, and it inspired Cheryl to pursue her Personal Training Certification.
By 2010, both Cheryl and I were dreaming of opening our own gym—and instead of doing it separately, we decided to partner up and opened a gym together in Natick, MA.
About six months after we opened, Cheryl’s husband, Pete, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Although we were already deeply committed to helping others through fitness, we hadn’t yet worked with anyone living with Parkinson’s. That changed when Cheryl and Pete introduced me to Rock Steady Boxing, a fitness program specifically designed to empower people with Parkinson’s. They encouraged me to look into it, and in 2016, Cheryl and I traveled to Indianapolis to become certified Rock Steady Boxing Coaches.
By then, we had moved our gym into a slightly larger space in Natick and began holding Rock Steady classes. Our very first Parkinson’s client was an incredible man with a heart of gold. Tragically, after his diagnosis, his wife left him—saying she couldn’t handle it. That broke our hearts and strengthened our resolve. He was fighting this disease alone—until he found us.
We continued to grow the program, and eventually received an offer to move our gym to a larger, more customized space in Dover, MA. This new location gave us the opportunity to design a facility specifically with Parkinson’s care in mind. While we still offered strength classes and personal training, the heart and soul of our gym became helping people with Parkinson’s live with strength, dignity, and confidence.
The impact of our Rock Steady program only grew. Three of our own members—Trish, Caroline, and Rob—felt so inspired that they became certified coaches themselves. Today, they are an essential part of our team, and their powerful stories are featured on our website.
Then came March 2020. The head of the local health department stopped by and asked us to consider closing temporarily, due to concerns about a new virus—COVID-19. We did. A week later, the entire state shut down.
But the mission didn’t stop. We pivoted quickly, launching live Zoom classes to keep our community moving and connected. The online energy and connection were so powerful that even after we reopened the gym, we continued running virtual classes alongside our in-person sessions. Now, both formats thrive.
Just two weeks ago, we had 54 people working out together—34 in the gym, and 20 online. The energy was electric.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand even more: adding classes, creating helpful video content, and continuing to inspire and equip people with Parkinson’s to live with strength, hope, and community.
If you or someone you care about is living with Parkinson’s and could benefit from a supportive team and a strong, welcoming community, we’re here for you.
You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of the website, and there’s also a quick contact form on our Classes page.
Take that first step—reach out. We’d love to connect and walk this journey with you.
7 Keys to Thriving with Parkinson’s
1. Movement Builds Strength and Independence
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools in managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Targeted workouts improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength, helping you maintain independence and confidence in daily life. Every punch, step, and stretch matters — and our classes are designed specifically to meet your unique needs.
2. Exercise Fights Stiffness and Fatigue
Parkinson’s can make movement feel harder, but staying active actually reduces stiffness and boosts energy. From strength training to boxing-inspired drills, consistent exercise keeps your body mobile and resilient.
3. Community Provides Encouragement and Support
You are not alone in this fight. Our online gym is more than a place to work out — it’s a community of people who understand your journey, cheering you on and celebrating every small victory along the way. Connection and accountability make all the difference in staying motivated. Cheryl and I have been leading these classes since 2016.
4. Shared Energy Inspires Progress
Working out alongside others who face the same challenges fuels determination. Seeing fellow members push forward motivates you to go further, try harder, and celebrate every milestone together.
5. Nutrition Fuels Your Body and Mind
What you eat plays a crucial role in how you feel and how your body responds to exercise. Proper nutrition helps support energy levels, muscle strength, brain function, and overall well-being — giving you the fuel you need to stay strong and active.
6. A Positive Attitude Shapes Your Journey
A great attitude isn’t just feel-good advice — it’s a critical part of fighting Parkinson’s. Maintaining hope, resilience, and positivity improves mental health, motivation, and overall quality of life. Every small win reinforces your strength and determination.
7. Consistency Unlocks Transformation
When exercise, nutrition, community, and mindset come together, real change happens. Consistency is key, and our classes and resources make it easier to stick with a routine that works. Join us online to experience this for yourself.
More information about our classes can be found on our website under the Classes tab.
Fill out the short form on that page to connect with us and we will help you take that first step in feeling stronger, both physically and emotionally.