World Parkinson’s Day takes place on 11 April every year, and DanceEast is committed to highlighting this day and the following Parkinson’s Awareness Week, to share the important work that we do to help those with Parkinson’s.
Each term, we deliver our Dance for Parkinson’s sessions in partnership with English National Ballet. These sessions bring a unique opportunity for people with Parkinson’s in Ipswich and the surrounding areas to engage with high quality dance classes in our studios.
The weekly artistic and creative dance classes have the added benefits of improved mental and physical health and wellbeing, the chance for tea and biscuits, and a chat with like-minded people. One participant told us that “my posture has improved no end, which helps me walk better, it makes me feel really positive.” Another participant said “I honestly feel happier coming to these, when I first got Parkinson’s I felt defeated, and thought well that’s that. But coming here, seeing everyone, doing ballet! I feel good, I feel positive and I think what an achievement it is to do something new even with Parkinson’s.”
There is a great community feeling within the class, with participants being greeted upon arrival by lead dance artist Hannah and supported by our volunteers. During the class, participants are taught adapted English National Ballet repertoire and dance to songs and tunes they recognise. One participant told us they used to do ballet as a child, “I did ballet as a child, I always have loved the theatre. It feels quite prestigious coming here with the studios and the tutu light, it really feels important you know, and it’s so impressive to work with ENB. I tell my granddaughter I dance with a professional ballet dancer every week, she doesn’t believe me!”
During the class, participants have the opportunity to dance with live music which goes down a treat with our participants, with one saying, “the live music is really good too – the way the musicians play to match what we are doing is wonderful.”
The sense of community continues long after the session in the studio has finished. After class, the participants have the opportunity to stay behind and enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits in the DanceEast foyer. This is a great chance for them to get to know each other, “people understand what you’re talking about in this group, they get it you know – there is a sense of community.” This time allows for deeper learnings between the group too, “the conversations are important, we learn lots in the class, but we learn lots from each other outside the class too.”
Our Dance for Parkinson’s classes take place at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Wednesday afternoons, 2.15pm – 3.30pm. For more information, please visit our webpage: https://www.danceeast.co.uk/classes/dance-for-parkinsons-4/
