Dance for Parkinson’s gives patients an outlet to fight the disease

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and April 11 is World Parkinson’s Day, an organization in Lincoln is offering patients and caregivers struggling with Parkinson’s an outlet to regain confidence and movement.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease often suffer from symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors or memory problems. A woman from Lincoln helps these patients with dance and movement.

Ruth Davidson Hahn brought Dance for Parkinson’s to Lincoln in 2014 and invites Parkinson’s patients, their caregivers or spouses to join classes at Nebraska Ballet Theater. Participants begin with a seated warm-up, then work on the ballet barre, as Parkinson’s disease often affects balance, and progress through different dance styles such as ballet, tap or lyrical dance. If the dancers feel confident, they can go to the middle of the floor to move around and work on the choreography and the dances. If they don’t have the balance, they can practice the movements on a chair.

“I am thrilled with their dedication, drive and commitment,” Hahn said. “All the discipline of the dancer and I’m like, ‘I just want you to learn how to dance your way through life.'”

The course’s emphasis on movement, stimulation, and exercise can help relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Hahn said that after class, dancers are able to get up from their chairs more easily, are more talkative, and stand or sit a little more upright.

“There’s an awareness of body and space and a connection to the ground, a connection to the sky, just an expansion of ourselves,” Hahn said. “So the whole training is at odds with what the disease may have symptoms of.”

The class also works together to choreograph dances, which helps locomotor skills like memory and balance.

THE class is $50 for a 10-week session or $6 per individual course with drop-in classes available. Caregivers, spouses and partners are free.

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