Notice: This Program is Not Accepting New Referrals
As of September 2024, the Jump Step program is no longer offered by our clinic, and we will no longer be accepting any referrals for this program. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
About Jump Step
Are you looking for a fun and innovative way to boost your mood and increase confidence?
Are you looking for a sustainable approach to managing depression and anxiety?
Jump Step is a physical activity program for the treatment of depression and anxiety. In each of the eight weekly sessions, we will try a variety of fun physical activities with a physical therapist, combined with positive and encouraging group discussions about exercise and wellness.
An abundance of research suggests that regular physical activity (exercise) can be as effective as an antidepressant and/or a course of cognitive therapy in treating depression. 55% of people with depression who engage in regularly sustained physical activity will notice a significant improvement, if not full resolution, of their depressive symptoms.
In this program you will learn:
- The five basic movement patterns for exercise
- How to use resistance bands at home
- Stretching and introductory mobility exercises
- How to incorporate a daily dose of physical activity into your busy life
- To overcome barriers to physical activity, set goals and develop healthy habits
Our reconfigured program includes:
- Eight, two-hour virtual sessions
- All participants who attend seven sessions or more will receive a free additional individual session with our amazing fitness instructor Tony Fu!
- Two introductory and entry-level Yoga Sessions with the amazing Sharon from Inspiring Yoga.
All sessions are conducted over Zoom, so you participate from the convenience of your home.
This program is designed to help you set personal goals, break through barriers to exercise and improve your mood, while working towards achieving your health goals.
References
Exercise as medicine—the use of group medical visits to promote physical activity and treat chronic moderate depression: a preliminary 14-week pre–post study:
bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000036
Jump step – a community-based participatory approach to physical activity & mental wellness:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579937/
CBC News story about exercise therapy and Jump Step:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/exercise-depression-british-columbia-1.6306210