For people living with Parkinson’s in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach, finding moments of calm isn’t always easy. 

That’s why Living Better with Parkinson’s launched a new mindfulness meditation program. Thanks to Parkinson Canada’s CARE Fund, they’re bringing guided meditation and sound therapy to their community by creating space for people to breathe, rest and reconnect with their bodies. 

More than just movement 

Living Better with Parkinson’s has been supporting people in South Georgian Bay for years through fitness programs like Dancing with Parkinson’s, PWR Moves and postural training.

But Sarah, the program manager, kept hearing the same request from community members. “We love the exercise programs. But we need help with stress. We need help sleeping. We need our minds to rest as much as our bodies need to move.” 

The organization listened. They applied for CARE Fund support to add mindfulness meditation to their program lineup. And they brought in experts to make it happen. 

Creating space for calm 

Living Better with Parkinson’s partnered with Lotus Sound, Justine Sanderson and Jay Robinson, who’ve led over 750 meditation sessions across Ontario. Together, they designed an eight-week program specifically for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. 

The program isn’t about sitting perfectly still or emptying your mind. It’s about noticing. Breathing. Learning techniques that help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. 

Research shows that mindful breathing calms the nervous system. Sound therapy reduces anxiety and improves sleep. These aren’t just nice ideas; they’re proven ways to support wellbeing. 

Each 90-minute session includes gentle breathing exercises, body awareness practices, and live sounds from instruments like gongs, singing bowls and didgeridoos. Participants also explore their own voices through humming and simple intentional sounds. 

“We wanted to create a safe space where people can rest, notice their bodies and connect with themselves and with each other,” says Sarah. 

Removing barriers 

Here’s what the CARE Fund grant means: more people can access the program. 

Living Better with Parkinson’s offers sessions at two locations: Central Park Arena in Collingwood and Wasaga Stars Arena in Wasaga Beach. You can sit on the floor with a yoga mat or in a chair. Whatever works for your body. 

The CARE Fund (Care, Access, Reach, Empower) exists to support exactly these kinds of local initiatives. Grassroots programs doing real work in their communities. Making sure people living with Parkinson’s across Canada can access support wherever they are. 

Building a holistic approach 

The mindfulness program fits perfectly with Living Better with Parkinson’s mission: improving quality of life through connection, activity and advocacy. 

They offer monthly support groups where people can share experiences. Weekly fitness programs that keep bodies moving. Educational sessions about managing symptoms. And now, meditation sessions that give minds a chance to rest. 

Participants come weekly with their yoga mats and blankets. Some have never tried meditation before. Some were skeptical at first. But they keep coming back. 

“Motion is lotion, together we’re better” now includes those quiet moments. The stillness. Learning to be present in your body, even when that body doesn’t always cooperate. 

Join the community 

Living Better with Parkinson’s runs three eight-week mindfulness meditation sessions each year: fall, winter and spring. Both people living with Parkinson’s and care partners are welcome to all programs. 

For more information or to register, contact Sarah at sarah@livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca or 705-607-6933. 

Learn more at www.livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca 

Parkinson’s is hard. We’re here to help. 

Call Parkinson Canada’s support line at 1-888-664-1974 or visit www.parkinson.ca/resources/support-line. 

The CARE Fund supports community-led initiatives across Canada. Learn more at www.parkinson.ca/research/care-fund