states where in-person classes are offered - Arizona & New Mexico
12
neuro.up licensed instructors
9
number of weekly in-person classes
The brain never stops wanting to grow. neuro.up helps it do just that.
Here’s something most people don’t know: the brain has the ability to form new connections at any age, at any stage. It’s called neuroplasticity — and neuro.up is designed to activate it.
Through a proprietary blend of cross-lateral movement, rhythmic music, pattern progressions, breathwork, and laughter, neuro.up for Dementia & Alzheimer’s directly stimulates the brain’s capacity to rewire, reconnect, and restore. We’re not managing symptoms. We’re building something new.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s affect existing neural pathways — but the brain doesn’t stop being capable of building new ones. That’s the premise every neuro.up session is built on.
Using a combination of movement techniques selected specifically for their neurological impact, neuro.up activates multiple regions of the brain at once. It triggers neuroplasticity, stimulating the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, and supports acetylcholine-related brain networks that underlie thinking and connection, which are especially vulnerable and progressively impaired in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cross-lateral movements
activate both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, building new neural pathways and improving memory, focus, and cognitive processing.
Progressive movement patterns
create structural changes in the brain — new synaptic connections and dendritic growth — with each repeated and expanded sequence.
Rythmic music
acts as a direct neurological cue, bypassing cognitive barriers and reaching parts of the brain that remain responsive even in advanced disease.
Laughter and joyful engagement
flood the system with dopamine and serotonin, shifting the nervous system from stress to restoration — and making the brain measurably more receptive.
Breathwork
shown in research to reduce amyloid beta levels (a protein marker of Alzheimer’s), enhance oxygen delivery to the brain, and deepen the neurological restoration response.
The result? Not just a calmer afternoon, but a brain that is genuinely more connected than it was before.
What does a neuro.up for Dementia & Alzheimer's session look like?
Sessions are 45-60 minutes of guided, joyful movement with music, laughter, and energy woven through every minute. No fitness experience required. Seated options for every movement. Every stage of dementia welcome. Caregivers welcome.
2. Warm the body.
Head-to-toe movement that increases circulation, opens the joints, and begins building the movement vocabulary for the session.
3. Build connections.
This is the heart of the program. Cross-lateral patterns, rhythmic sequences, and dual-task brain challenges work progressively — building on what the brain learned last week, adding new layers this week. This is where the neural pathway building happens.
4. Restore & renew.
Shaking, breathing, and guided stillness return the body and brain to a deeply calm, restored state — with more connectivity than when we started.
1. Spark the system.
We open every class by activating the parasympathetic nervous system — hands rubbing together, deep breaths, smiling, shaking, laughing. The brain shifts from stress to openness in under two minutes.
As a Life Enrichment Director there is nothing better than seeing so many of my residents engage in an activity like Alive, Fit & Free has brought to our community. At American Orchards Senior Living we love promoting our Pathways To Promise, which is a program we have in order to provide the best care to our residents. A key aspect to our program is physical well-being and there is no better way to do it than with instructors from Alive, Fit & Free, who are so encouraging towards my residents and enthusiastic the entire session. The progress that I have seen in less than a year is incredible! -Leslie, Life Enrichment Director - American Orchards
Our member, Clay, brings his wife Jeanette into the center to attend the Dementia Care classes. He's been bringing her to DVCC for about a year and has attended the dementia classes since they started. She just went back for follow-up testing with her Neurologist and he reported that she has actually improved since her last visit!
He says he almost never sees improvement, so he encouraged her to keep doing whatever she is doing. It makes me so happy when we hear reminders like this. Thank you for your contribution to our success! -Michelle, Site Coordinator, Optum Deer Valley
When my husband Bob first started coming to the Dementia classes, he could barely move his arms and legs, but over the next several months became increasingly agile and coordinated. Two weeks ago he had a fall and ended up in the hospital. While in a semi-conscious state, he appeared to have dreams where he clapped and laughed. As I watched him do this one afternoon, I suddenly realized that he was doing some of his exercises from your class. He did it several times, then he stopped. A little while later, he repeated it again. It was very purposeful and I realized how your dementia class really helped him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. -Ann, wife of program participant Bob
Any questions? Contact us anytime. 480-458-7497 | hello@alivefitandfree.com | www.alivefitandfree.com
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