Put a little spring in your step with Dance Wise!
Energize, Be On Purpose, Be Inspired!
Join us!
Are you interested in reducing brain fog, improving coordination and balance and restoring energy? Evidence based, Brain-Compatible Creative Dance classes offered by Dance Wise for Parkinson's are designed to fit the needs of all body types and abilities (standing/seated), people with Parkinson's or other neurological conditions, and anyone who wants a fun and creative work out!
Classes are offered weekly in Louisville with a new location coming soon in Pewee Valley. Come try a free class and see for yourself how dance is the perfect exercise for every body!
Classes are offered weekly in Louisville with a new location coming soon in Pewee Valley. Come try a free class and see for yourself how dance is the perfect exercise for every body!
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Dance Wise for Parkinson’s is pleased to present community dance classes for people with Parkinson's, their care partners, family and friends in Louisville and surrounding communities.
Video courtesy of Dance for PD®/ Mark Morris Dance Group
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Why "Dance for PD"?Why Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (2009) was produced by the Brooklyn Parkinson Group in association with the Mark Morris Dance Group to demonstrate the essential elements of the Dance for PD® classes and investigate why dance classes may be particularly beneficial for people with PD.
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Think Like a DancerParkinson’s disease is a “Movement Disorder” and here, David Leventhal explains why professionally-trained dancers are well placed to help People with Parkinson’s improve their physical and emotional well-being.
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Synapse DanceSynapse Dance (9 mins, dir. Karen Suzuki) explores the neuroscience research being done in the Dancing with Parkinson’s program at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), a Dance for PD® partner.
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Why Dance for Parkinson’s Disease? |
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The program’s fundamental working principle is that professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge about balance, sequencing, rhythm and aesthetic awareness is useful to persons with PD. In class, teaching artists integrate movement from modern, ballet, tap, folk and social dancing, and choreographic repertory to engage participants’ minds and bodies and create an enjoyable, social environment for artistic exploration. |
The Dance for PD® Approach
The Dance for PD® program is built on one fundamental premise: professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge is useful to persons with PD. Dancers know all about stretching and strengthening muscles, and about balance and rhythm. Dancers know about the power of dance to concentrate mind, body and emotion on movement because they use their thoughts, imagination, eyes, ears and touch to control their bodies every day.
Dance for PD® teaching artists integrate movement from modern and theater dance, ballet, folk dance, tap, improvisation, and choreographic repertory. The Dance for PD® class is an aesthetic experience that uses the elements of narrative, imagery, live music and community to develop artistry and grace while addressing such PD-specific concerns as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression.
The classes engage the participants’ minds and bodies, and create an enjoyable, social environment that emphasizes dancing rather than therapy. Active demonstration by professional dancers inspires participants to recapture grace, while guided improvisation fosters creativity, and experimentation with movement.
Dance for PD® teaching artists integrate movement from modern and theater dance, ballet, folk dance, tap, improvisation, and choreographic repertory. The Dance for PD® class is an aesthetic experience that uses the elements of narrative, imagery, live music and community to develop artistry and grace while addressing such PD-specific concerns as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression.
The classes engage the participants’ minds and bodies, and create an enjoyable, social environment that emphasizes dancing rather than therapy. Active demonstration by professional dancers inspires participants to recapture grace, while guided improvisation fosters creativity, and experimentation with movement.
Photo Credit: Blake Schuble
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Dance Wise for Parkinson's class! Learn about the benefits of Dance for PD and build your community.
Join us at our convenient and accessible location with plenty of free parking. Classes begin weekly at 1:30 pm.
Join us at our convenient and accessible location with plenty of free parking. Classes begin weekly at 1:30 pm.
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Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
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Dance Wise for Parkinson's classes made possible by the generous support of the Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana, Family Health Centers of Louisville and the Parkinson's Foundation
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All videos courtesy of Dance for PD®/ Mark Morris Dance Group
