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.

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.

Still so much to thank you for Rick

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

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).