Boxing for Parkinson's: Introduction

"Building balance, coordination and confidence through movement"

This programme introduces the foundations of boxing as a powerful, engaging form of movement therapy for people living with Parkinson’s.

Led by professional boxing coach John Tiftik with clinical guidance from physiotherapist Barry Ford, each session explores how stance, footwork, and punching technique can support functional goals such as balance, postural control, and core strength.

Boxing drills offer short bursts of intensity and large, purposeful movements that help challenge coordination and promote confidence in everyday activity.

Start with the foundations series and follow along as we build movement patterns step by step from establishing a stance to developing rotation, rhythm and flow.

Boxing Foundations for Parkinson’s: Training stance and Postural Stability

Boxing stance isn’t just for fighters - it’s a powerful foundation for balance and postural control.

For physios: it’s a functional alternative to the standard tandem stand - engaging, dynamic, and instantly relatable for clients. Stance drills naturally integrate static and dynamic balance work, proprioception, and lower limb activation.

For clients: practising stance builds confidence and body awareness while keeping things fun and purposeful.
We’re finding that when movement has meaning, our clients engage more - and that’s often where progress happens fastest. Big thanks to @jtiftikcoach . Stay posted for part 2: Footwork with John

🥊 Boxing Foundations for Parkinson’s - Footwork & Balance

Forward, backward and lateral movement - simple steps that become powerful balance training when taught with control and intent.

In this session, @johntiftik builds footwork from one step to two, keeping a steady guard and strong base. From a physiotherapy perspective, this drill challenges coordination, body awareness and dynamic balance, while naturally introducing dual-tasking - thinking about guard position and step direction at the same time.

Unlike traditional clock-stepping or static balance work, boxing footwork gives the movement purpose. It engages rhythm, timing and amplitude, helping people with Parkinson’s retrain balance in a functional, enjoyable way.

🧠 Movement with meaning leads to better engagement and often better outcomes.

🥊 Boxing Foundations – Training Stance in Sitting

Not every client can complete the boxing foundations in standing - but that doesn’t mean they can’t take part. Every element can be adapted for sitting.

Boxing in sitting is a powerful way to work on postural control, core stability, and dynamic sitting balance while keeping sessions purposeful and engaging.

Even without standing, clients can still practise guard position, weight shift, rhythm and coordination - all key ingredients for functional stability and confidence.

It’s not about limitation, it’s about adaptation - keeping movement meaningful and achievable for everyone.

Boxing for Parkinson’s - Training the backhand 🥊

In this session, John demonstrates the backhand, or cross - a powerful boxing movement that encourages large, fast, and purposeful motion through the whole body.

For clients with Parkinson’s, this exercise is an excellent way to work on core stability, rotational control, and balance, while training speed and amplitude in a safe, structured way.
Each strike comes from the legs and trunk, not just the arm - helping retrain coordinated, full-body movement patterns that translate directly into daily function.

Boxing builds confidence, power, and rhythm - one punch at a time.