Parkinson's Beats - Exercise Drumming
Tutors: Jo Holland and Sharon Finlay, exercise drumming instructors, Parkinson’s Beats
Join Jo and Sharon to see a Parkinson’s Beats group in action. Feel free to join in! You will need a yoga ball (55cm-65cm), a tub to hold the ball and either a set of drumsticks or two wooden spoons. If you don’t have a yoga ball, use an upside-down laundry basket or a cushion. We’ll be learning some typical drumming moves and ‘drumming’ along to the music.
Parkinson’s Beats is a form of cardio drumming, encompassing aerobic activity, flexibility, balance and strength exercises, combined with rhythmical cues and music. You’re sure to end the session with a smile and keen to find a group nearby!
This session is part of a World Parkinson’s Day collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, the national charity supporting the Parkinson’s community, and We Are Undefeatable.
Preparation
Get your equipment ready
Video time
30 minutes
About Jo and Sharon
Jo Holland is a former Finance Manager who discovered exercise drumming during lockdown after a series of serious health issues. She lives with Parkinson’s and qualified as a drumming instructor in 2024.
Sharon Finlay runs Active Minds Moray where she specialises in exercise provision for the over 55s.
Sharon founded exercise drumming in Moray and has worked with Jo Holland and Parkinson’s Beats since 2022.
About Parkinson's Beats
Parkinson’s Beats is an exercise drumming group for people living with neurological conditions. Jo Holland and Sharon Finlay formed the group in 2022 with funding from Parkinson’s UK.
The organisation has gone from strength to strength with numerous Parkinson’s Support Groups around the country keen to establish their own groups.
Using ball drums, the exercise sessions ‘put a smile’ on the faces of participants as well as being very good for their general well-being.
- A yoga ball, upside-down laundry basket, cushion or something else to drum on
- 2 drumsticks or wooden spoons
- Something to hold the ‘drum’ in place e.g. a large garden tub
- A chair
- A laptop, iPad or smartphone to access the session
See more from Parkinson's Awareness Month
This April, we're honouring Parkinson's Awareness month with a variety of Parkinson's-focused sessions!
On the 8th of April, Rory Cellan-Jones is joining us for a conversation about a very special lady in his life - Sophie, a very shy rescue dog from Romania.
On World Parkinson's Day on the 11th of April, we're collaborating with Parkinson's UK, the national charity supporting the Parkinson's community, and We Are Undefeatable to host a day of Parkinson's-friendly exercise sessions. From Dance classes to Parkinson's Beats exercise drumming, there are a variety of sessions with standing and seated options that everyone can join in with.
World Parkinson's Day
You can find out more about World Parkinson's Day at Parkinson's UK, and how you can get involved in this fantastic initiative!