Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (Dance for PD) is an organisation that provides dance classes for those with Parkinson’s Disease. The program was established in New York over 15 years ago and brought to Australia n 2013 by program director, David Leventhal and program co-ordinator, Erica-Rose Jeffrey. Teacher training workshops were initially held in Sydney and Brisbane and over the last few years have been held in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Classes are now offered by dance teachers, health professionals and Parkinson’s community supporters all around Australia. The program is taught in a community dance context with a focus, says Jeffrey “on the class as a dance and artistic experience rather than a therapy class”.
According to a pilot research study jointly undertaken by the Queensland Ballet, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland, Dance for PD is delivering many benefits for participants including improvements in functional mobility, improved confidence in balance activities and a reduction in body discomfort as well as benefits to emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
There are two upcoming teacher training workshops being offered in Canberra for teachers interested in delivering the program or for those looking for some refresher training. Use the following links to book:
Dance for PD’s Introductory Workshop 29th and 30th September 2016 – Canberra Dance Theatre
Dance for PD’s Advanced Workshop 1st and 2nd October 2016 – Belconnen Arts Centre
For more information about Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, head to http://danceforparkinsonsaustralia.org/
Keep your eyes peeled for an article all about this wonderful program written by Michelle Dursun… coming soon to Dance Australia!