Lucy Bowen leads a Dance for PD class at the Center for Ballet Arts

Dancing with Parkinson's

A Special Dance Class for People with Parkinson’s

There’s a dance program for people with Parkinson’s that combines music, seated dance, stretch and movement. It’s called Dance for PD®.

From their official website we learn that: 

1. Dance develops strength, fluidity, flexibility, stamina, and balance.
2. Dance helps us master skills through progressive training.
3. Dance is a stimulating cognitive activity that connects mind to body.
4. Dance helps us to forge social connection and a sense of belonging.
5. Dance harnesses imagery, rhythm, and music in the service of intentional movement.
6. Dance helps us express stories and emotions through our bodies.
7. Dance sparks creativity and develops problem-solving skills.
8. The essence of dance is joy.

If you’re interested in the research that shows the benefits of dance for Parkinson’s and cognition, you’ll find a comprehensive list at: https://danceforparkinsons.org/resources/research 

However, for all the reasons we can list why dance is beneficial to people living with Parkinson’s, it’s how people feel during the class, and by the end of it, that matters most. Please watch this video for a brief glimpse, and to experience what a class is like.

My favorite part is at the end of the class when everyone gathers in a circle, passing the energy to each other. It’s such a special moment.

This quote from the film, Capturing Grace says it all . . .

There are no patients. There are only dancers.
http://www.capturinggracefilm.com/

Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center is delighted to offer a new Dance for PD® class in the Center for Ballet Arts right next door to Insight Memory Care Center’s Fairfax location! We are very fortunate to have Lucy Bowen McCauley as instructor for this class. Lucy is fully certified in Dance for PD® and has provided weekly Dance for PD® classes for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners for 14 years.

Lucy maintains the highest standards of teaching, program delivery and expertise to ensure that  the classes are safe, beneficial and enjoyable. The class is for both people with Parkinson’s disease and their care-partners. Additional details about local in-person classes, virtual classes, and classes in Spanish and Mandarin, offered by Lucy and/or Dance for PD® are available at https://ipmdc.org/dance-for-pd/.

Author
Sonia Gow is the Program and Community Care Manager at the Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic. She is an experienced patient advocate for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners, and has volunteered within the Parkinson's community in Northern Virginia, including teaching fitness classes specifically for people living with Parkinson's.