4 minute read
Parkinson’s Dance at QBSC
By Jennifer Shea
The idea of a dance program for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease originated at the Mark Morris Dance Center in New York in 2001 with the first class attended by six members of the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. The original idea took off and now, 24 years later, Parkinson’s Dance programs can be found in more than 300 communities in 28 countries around the world. One of those communities is Belleville, where Parkinson’s Dance is offered for one hour weekly from September to June at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada (QBSC).
Parkinson's Disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. Symptoms can include tremor, slowed movement, rigid muscles, poor posture and balance, loss of automatic movements like blinking, speech changes, writing changes, and non-motor symptoms like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Symptoms vary from person to person and are often slow to progress. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Parkinson’s Dance is led by teaching artists who integrate movement from a diverse variety of dance and movement styles. The classes are dance-focused, not exercise or fitness-focused. The emphasis is on aesthetics and imagination, encouraging dancers to move with grace, invoke creativity and emotion, and develop their mind-body connection. During class, dancers stretch and strengthen their muscles while creating flexibility and range of motion. As range of motion increases, so does balance and gait.
Program coordinator and instructor with the QBSC Kristina McIntosh says, “It’s the closest thing to magic you can experience. You can watch dancers come in maybe a little bit down. An hour later, you see the cloud lift and you watch a different individual leave the space.”
“Dancers have told me they feel different, or they just believe and know they can do it - whatever "it" is. Some say they feel steadier, more balanced. Others comment that they stand prouder with more confidence.”
Jocelyn LoSole, another instructor for the program, adds, “The joy of dancing comes from within, and often that motivation pushes them to do things they had totally let go of.”
“Dancers are seated at the beginning. They stand and hold onto the chairs in front of them to have extra support. When they step away from the chairs, there’s the option to free dance away from the chair to challenge themselves without support. I have noticed at the end of almost every class that I’ve taught – their gait was a lot steadier, and they were able to take wider steps.”
Financial support from the City of Belleville allowed the local program to start as a pilot in 2017. Additional support from the city, Parkinson’s Canada, and private donors, has kept the program going. The funding allows the program to be offered free of charge to individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers. It’s not unusual to see up to 50 people in a class, including volunteers.
Volunteers are instrumental in the program’s success. They help with set up and clean up, as well as assisting dancers as they come and go. They help monitor class participants to allow the instructors to focus on lessons.
The dance class participants have become a small community. They share stories and their own personal jour- neys with Parkinson’s which helps their neighbour(s). And the caregivers can also lean on each other for support as their loved ones take part in the classes.
The year’s program is divided into two terms with a break in December for Christmas holidays. Each term concludes with a potluck meal - one in December and one in June. It’s a time to sit, talk and share in the community that has been created.
“I love this program and these dancers with my whole being”, says Kristina. “They have taught me so much about myself and life. I honestly feel they have taught me more than I have taught them.”
