Pilates for Parkinson’s Disease in Dubai

Parkinsons Disease is a progressive neurological condition caused by a deficiency in dopamine, which affects your brain‘s ability to control movement. By the time symptoms like tremors, rigidity or balance problems appear, significant changes have already occurred in the brain.

You may be experiencing:

• Difficulty with balance and walking
• Freezing of gait (feeling stuck when trying to move) 
• Muscle stiffness or stooped posture
• Reduced confidence in daily activities 

But here’s the powerful truth: Specialised exercise can change the trajectory of Parkinson’s Disease

The Pilates for Parkinson’s method isn’t just exercise; its a form of skilled movement therapy with proven neuro protective effects that directly impact your brain.

Here‘s what happens in your brain when you practice P4P:

1. Physical exercises increases BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) by an average of 32%. BDNF is essential for neuronal survival and growth, its literally like fertiliser for your brain cells 
2. Promotes Brain Plasticity: P4P stimulates neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) and strengthens synaptic connections, helping your brain create new pathways to compensate for damaged areas for as long as possible.
3. Reduces Inflammation & Stress: Exercise mitigates secondary factors that can worsen Parkinson’s symotors and negatively impact your quality of life, including reducing inflammation and stress hormones.
4. Modulates Neurotransmission: Targeted Physical activity directly affects how your brain’s chemical messengers work helping to optimise the dopamine you still have

The Pilates for Parkinson‘s method is beneficial for people at all stages of the disease:

• Newly Diagnosed: Start building strength and neuroprotective now 
• Early to mid stage: Address specific symptoms and maintain function 
• Advanced Stage - Preserve abilities and quality of life with adapted movements 
• Pre Diagnosis: If you have risk factors or early signs, preventative exercise is powerful.

You don’t need any prior Pilates experience. The program is completely customised to your current abilities 

As a certified Pilates for Parkinson’s (P4P) instructor, i use standardised, five part framework that ensures every session is safe, goal orientated and adaptable to your changing needs.

Each session follows this structure:

1. Stimulate: We begin by activating your nervous system with foundational movements that prepare your brain and body fro the work ahead 
2. Apply: We use core Pilates principles: Alignment, breath, control and precision. To teach you body new, more efficient movement patterns depending on what stage you are at.
3. Check In: Throughout the session, we monitor your energy, hydration and how your body is responding, adjusting as needed.
4. Evaluate: At the end of each session, we assess outcomes to determine the next steps in your customised plan to see if we are able to progress.

This systematic approach ensures that every session builds on the last, creating consistency and depeneding on the stage measurable progress.

Targeted Therapeutic Areas:

My P4P training allows me to address the specific challenges of Parkinson’s Disease with precision. Our focus areas include:

Gait, Walking & Balance:

We use targeted exercises for all phases of the gait cycle to directly address postural instability and freezing of gait. This helps to reduce fall risk and improve your confidence when walking.

Spinal Health & Posture:

Parkinson’s often causes changes in posture and spinal alignment. We apply biomechanical principles to manage these changes, helping to restore mobility and reduce pain or discomfort.

Vestibular & Visual System Integration:

Balance isn’t just about your legs; It’s about how your eyes, inner ear and brain work together. Our program includes specific exercises to improve your vestibulo ocular reflex (VOR), which is critical for maintaining balance and stable vision during movement 

Functional Strength for Daily Living:

The ultimate goal isn’t just to move better ina. Pilate session, its to improve your ability to perform activities of daily living. We focus on building functional strength that translates directly to greater independence at home 

Tailored to Your Stage of Parkinson’s 

The P4P method recognises that Parkinson’s is progressive, and your needs will change over time. My approach adapts to where your re at right now:

Early Stage Parkinson’s:

Inthe early stages we focus on teaching new, efficient movement patterns.Thisis the optimal time to build strength, improve balance and create neural pathways that will serve you for years to come. Early intervention makes a significant difference in long term outcomes.

Mid to Later Stage Parkinson’s 

As the condition progresses, we shift towards reinforcing existing skills and maintaining function Advanced Stag. The goal is to to help you maintain your abilities, reduce symptom severity and preserve your sense of control and independence for as long as possible

Your Personalised Parkinson’s Pilates Journey 

1. Free 30 minute Consultation: We will discuss your symptoms, your goals and your concerns. I’ll assess your current movement abilities and explain how the P4P method can help you specifically 
2. Customised Program Design: Based on you stage of Parkinson‘s, your symptoms and your goals, I’ll create a personalised program that addresses your unique needs. 
3. One on one Sessions: All sessi0ons are private, 1-1 instruction. We work at your pace in a. Safe, supportive environment. Each session follows the structured P4P framework to ensure consistent progress.
4. Ongoing Adaptation: As your needs change, your program evolves. We continuously evaluate and adjust to endure you’re always working at the right level for you. 
5. Homework & Support: Between sessions, you’ll have access to personalised homework videos and ongoing support to help you maintain your progress at home.

Private Sessions in Dubai:

I offer one to one pilates sessions in Dubai. Sessions can be held at a studio or for clients with mobility challenges, i provide fully equipped in home sessions in the comfort and safety of your own home.

Online Sessions:

Can’t make it in person? I also offer online sessions via video call, allowing you to work with a P4P certified instructor from anywhere in the world.

The benefits of Pilates for Parkinson’s aren’t just anecdotal they’re supported by scientific research:

• A 2019 systematic review and meta analysis found that Pilates has beneficial effects on fitness, balance, functional anatomy and is more effective then traditional training for improving lower limb function in people with mild to moderate parkinson’s disease 

Suárez-Iglesias, D., Miller, K. J., Seijo-Martínez, M., & Ayán, C. (2019). Benefits of Pilates in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina, 55(8), 476.

• This randomized controlled trial found that clinical Pilates was as effective as conventional physiotherapy, with superior results in improving dynamic balance

Çoban, Ö., & Tarakcı, E. (2021). Effect of clinical Pilates training on balance and postural control in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial. Somatosensory & Motor Research, 38(4), 328-335.

On Exercise and Brain Protection:

• This 2024 systematic review confirms that exercise therapy is effective in raising serum BDNF levels, which provides neuroprotective effects and helps alleviate motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.

Zheng, Z., Chen, H., et al. (2024). Effects and Mechanisms of Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels and Clinical Outcomes in People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Brain Sciences, 14(3), 209.

Highlights that accumulating evidence shows exercise can reduce inflammation, decrease α-synuclein expression, and increase neurotrophic growth factors like BDNF.

Corcos, D. M. (2021). How does exercise slow progression in Parkinson’s disease? Interview at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders.

On BDNF and Exercise:

• Physical exercise caused an average 32% increase in serum BDNF levels, with concentrations 45% higher than sedentary control subjects.

Schmolesky, M. T., Webb, D. L., & Hansen, R. A. (2013). The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Intensity and Duration on Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Healthy Men. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(3), 502-511.

• People who maintain healthy BDNF-boosting lifestyle habits (including regular sauna use 4-7x/week) have up to 66% lower risk of dementia.

Laukkanen, T., Khan, H., Zaccardi, F., & Laukkanen, J. A. (2015). Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), 542-548.