Dance for PD: Building Confidence, Creativity & Community

Parkinsons Recovery

In 2001, dancers from the Mark Morris Dance Group began teaching a dance with live music for members of the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. The premise? Professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge could be useful to persons with PD. By learning real dance techniques and focusing on artistry and grace, people with PD would be encouraged to explore movement and music in enjoyable and creative ways while addressing balance, coordination, flexibility and physical confidence. Ten years later, Dance for PD classes based on the original Brooklyn model take place in more than 45 communities and in seven countries around the world, and the acclaimed program has been featured in such media as The New York Times, PBS NewsHour, and USA Today, among many others. David Leventhal, one of the program's founding teachers, its program manager, and a 14-year veteran of the Mark Morris Dance Group speaks with Dr. Robert Rodgers about this transformative program and its potential to help people with PD recapture grace and a vital sense of community. For further information on this exciting program for Parkinsons, visit http://www.danceforpd.org