No-Charge program at the Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA made possible by a Community Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA continues their partnership with Bloomsburg Music Therapy to offer Singercise, a free, therapeutic class for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Singercise targets smaller muscles involved in speaking and singing with the hopes of improving speech, respiration and swallowing, all while providing a source of social support in a fun and engaging setting.
The program, offered completely free of charge to participants and their caregivers thanks to a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation, will be offered both in-person and virtually. Classes meet at the Lewisburg YMCA at the Miller Center every Monday from 3-4 pm August 15 through December 19, and virtual classes meet via Zoom every Monday from 2-3 pm through December 19. There will be no class on Labor Day Monday, September 5.
Class is led by board-certified music therapist Alysha Suley, MM, MT-BC, a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the International Association for Music & Medicine. Singercise is open to individuals of all physical ability and fitness levels who have Parkinson’s disease.
Previous participants have seen marked improvements in their speech and breathing, with one participant saying, “A friend recently commented on how much better I was speaking and sounding.” Singercise has also proven to be an excellent outlet for socialization. Another attendee remarked, “It gets me moving, works on exercises to maintain my voice, and is a great social outlet.”
Registration is open now, and those interested can register at gsvymca.org. More information is available by calling (570)316-1899 or emailing info@bloomsburgmusictherapy.org. Registration is required.
Contact:
Bonnie McDowell, CEO
Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA
(570)556-4191
ymcaexec@ptd.net
Singercise Offered Free for Those With Parkinson's
