Lynette Worrell of New Smyrna Beach works out on a speed-bag during a class at Rock Steady Boxing in Edgewater on Friday, Aug. 5.
Lynette Worrell of New Smyrna Beach works out on a speed-bag during a class at Rock Steady Boxing in Edgewater on Friday, Aug. 5.
In This Corner Rock Steady Boxing is an Edgewater affiliate of the international program.
They are a not-for-profit that uses boxing as a means to help someone afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease.
That might sound familiar. In November 2019, 60 Minutes’ Lesley Stahl reported on her husband Aaron Latham’s use of Rock Steady Boxing in his fight against the disease. Mr. Latham was an author, screenwriter and journalist.
It also might sound counterintuitive. After all, it is believed boxers may be more at risk for Parkinson’s. The difference is, In This Corner Rock Steady Boxing uses a non-contact fitness curriculum.
Rock Steady Boxing has 871 affiliates around the world. In this Corner Rock Steady Boxing is the only Volusia County affiliate.
In This Corner focuses on training to be a boxer, not punching an opponent. Classes are built around accuracy, agility, balance, footwork, hand-eye coordination, muscular endurance, overall body strength and speed. It also includes voice projection exercises and cognitive exercises.
The cognitive exercises are achieved by the instructor or coach calling out the lefthand righthand punch combinations. The boxers are also given directions as to when they should duck as if a punch is coming their way. The boxer has to react as quickly as they can to the instructions, thus enhancing cognitive skills.
Established in 2018, In This Corner has moved a few times before settling into its current location at 201 S Ridgewood Ave. in Edgewater. It just so happened an Edgewater podiatrist, Dr. Kurt Schillinger, had some space to donate and gave the nonprofit a break on the rent. That space became the indoor gym. Thanks to a grant from Lowe’s, the backyard now serves as a mini-gym, and also has a mini-putting green and area to stretch.
Marianne Chapin, executive director, founder and owner of In This Corner, said they moved to Edgewater during Covid-19.
“We took a leap of faith,” Ms. Chapin said. “We didn’t know if people would want to come back after Covid.”
Classes are filling up, but not yet back to pre-Covid levels.
Grants and donations help In This Corner quite a bit. For the second year in a row, Advent Health New Smyrna Beach Auxiliary donated to the gym. Stephen Kenney, auxiliary president, said, “They do a really good service with people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s.” Mr. Kenney is “very impressed” with Ms. Chapin's efforts.
His wife, Freda, is a boxer at the gym, “If I don’t come here, I won’t be able to do anything else,” she said.
Appreciative of Advent Health Auxiliary’s generosity and the community writ large, Ms. Chapin said, “We are very fortunate that our community is very supportive of us.”
She originally worked in interior design before switching to healthcare. Her life journey has taken her from elder care to community access liaison with Halifax Health Hospice, a stay as a medical account executive and now her current work as the affiliate owner of In This Corner Rock Steady Boxing.
The instructors are volunteers. They come from various health professions, such as physical therapists, and kickboxers, donating their time coaching the boxers through the program. One recent workout had the boxers circuit training, not unlike what you would see at your local gym.
The goal of the class is to challenge, not frustrate, the boxer. “I’ve always heard such good things about this,” said instructor and physical therapist Riccardo Vaz. Now that he joined as a volunteer, “It’s awesome.”
Before being placed in a class, boxers are given a health and functional assessment. Once participating, they can expect the program to be intense but fun, filled with camaraderie, but pushing them beyond their perceived limits.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Aaron Latham, the gentleman featured on the 60 Minutes piece, died in late July due to complications of the disease.
However, boxing has been successful at addressing the symptoms of Parkinson's.
Ms. Chapin explained, “There's a lot that goes on in boxing. There's a lot of hand eye coordination, strength building, balance, quickness, cardio, all the things that a boxer would work (on) to improve, to be a good boxer are things that people with Parkinson's need.”
She also mentioned how exercise activates dopamine, helping to regulate cognitive functions.
In this Corner will not turn away anyone who wants to join. Money is not a barrier to participating as they will work with the boxer to ensure he or she can attend. For more information, visit inthiscorner.org/.
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