Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials For posting and discussion of clinical trials related to Parkinson's Disease, and for the Parkinson Pipeline Project. All are welcome.


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-24-2014, 08:41 PM #1
life with parkinson life with parkinson is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
10 yr Member
life with parkinson life with parkinson is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
10 yr Member
Smile Dance for PD Benefits (# 1 is No Freezing)

I was diagnosed in 2001. A few years back, I started taking line dance classes twice a week. It was quite a challenge for me since PD robbed me of my multi-tasking abilities. During class, I had to watch my instructor's dance steps, listen to her instructions, follow her steps, listen to the beat of the music, make my own feet, legs and arms move in rhythm time, pick up my feet, swirl around without falling, and remember the sequence as line dance steps are usually repetitive. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed. Too much was happening too fast and I couldn't process it all, leading to frustration.

There were many times in the beginning, when I would have to stop dancing and stand over to the side because I couldn't get it together. Sometimes, I felt like crying, even giving up. But I am thankful that I didn't quit. I've found so much enjoyment in line dancing. I find music to be uplifting, the beat gives me energy, moving and swaying keeps my body more flexible. Also, I learned to follow, listen, move and talk all at the same time; and I now teach line dance twice a week.

I do hope PD patients will try dancing even if you've never danced before. It is a great way to get exercise and have fun doing it.The miracle of dance with PD is that no matter how tired I am, the sound of music makes me want to move, and before I know it, I'm be-bopping around the house dancing and moving to the beat.

I have the "freezing" episodes except when I'm dancing - I move as if PD never existed and I've yet to experience the freezing when I'm dancing. Try it, I think you will find a joy in moving.
life with parkinson is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Bob Dawson (08-25-2014)

advertisement
Old 08-26-2014, 01:26 AM #2
Bob Dawson Bob Dawson is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,135
15 yr Member
Bob Dawson Bob Dawson is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,135
15 yr Member
Default

Way back in 2006, this video selfie was posted on YouTube by Reverett123 (our late, great, Rick Everett):
http://youtu.be/qxDmP8c4QUI

Uploaded on Dec 2, 2006
Rick said:
"(Play at max volume) Most patients and a good many doctors think of PD as simply a case of dying brain cells creating a shortage of the chemical dopamine. The treatment is to replace the dopamine. If this view was true, then this video would not be possible. I am in a state described as "off" and experiencing "freezing". The medicines are not working and my feet stick to the floor. It is a miserable way to be, trust me. Nothing happens to increase dopamine, yet you see the magic of music.

The importance here is that precious research dollars go by the truckload to the simplistic view of this condition when they should be going to new avenues. Dancing is fun, but I would rather have the option to walk."

A few months later, I started a weblog, with Rick's video on the first page:
http://parkinsonsdance.blogspot.com/
It gives me solace to hear that People With Parkinson's are out there, somewhere, dancing.
SO it was not all for nothing. What we tried to do was not for nothing.
Bob Dawson is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Thelma (08-26-2014)
Old 08-26-2014, 01:56 PM #3
Thelma's Avatar
Thelma Thelma is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burnaby British Columbia
Posts: 795
15 yr Member
Thelma Thelma is offline
Member
Thelma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burnaby British Columbia
Posts: 795
15 yr Member
Default

Still so much to thank you for Rick
Thelma is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-30-2014, 03:52 AM #4
Aunt Bean's Avatar
Aunt Bean Aunt Bean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 782
10 yr Member
Aunt Bean Aunt Bean is offline
Member
Aunt Bean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 782
10 yr Member
Default

I love to dance also. Go to contra dance when possible (mainly in the winter when not gardening heavily) Music definitely changes the brain's ability to send messages to the rest of your body. At first it is very hard to learn new things, follow instructions, etc....but, well worth sticking to it and Not giving up because the first time you just can't get it together. I have the dance for PD DVD that I am going to introduce to our support group and hope they will find it fun and want to do it
Aunt Bean is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-14-2015, 01:55 PM #5
ChaucerFan ChaucerFan is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Eastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 80
10 yr Member
ChaucerFan ChaucerFan is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Eastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 80
10 yr Member
Default

Hi from a visitor (I'm on the Peripheral Neuropathy supbtopic). I just learned that Lafayette College, where I work (Easton, Pennsylvania), is holding a Dance for PD Community Class by the Mark Morris Dance Group tomorrow--Tuesday, September 15, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. It's "free/open to people with Parkinson's and the public." Location is Lafayette Studio Theater, 248 North 3rd, Easton. They ask anyone who wants to register for the class to call 610-330-5203. By the way, the Mark Morris Dance Group is also performing at Lafayette at 8 that night (9/15).
ChaucerFan is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
balance, dance, freezing, movement, tired

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Freezing Virginia Therese Parkinson's Disease 0 08-20-2014 08:03 PM
Burning while freezing birdman New Member Introductions 11 04-28-2014 05:13 PM
Freezing Legs gnnmi Peripheral Neuropathy 6 03-03-2014 05:29 PM
Improvisational dance class benefits people with Parkinson’s Disease soccertese Parkinson's Disease 2 01-01-2013 06:32 AM
I'm freezing aussiemom Peripheral Neuropathy 10 02-15-2011 10:41 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:36 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.