Dance for PD®, a wonderful movement program developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, NY, has offered classes to people living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones for the past 19 years. The program has trained more than 300 professional dance affiliates who teach in their respective communities in 25 countries around the world. In response to the current COVID-19 crisis and the requirement for exercise and wellness organizations to temporarily suspend their classes, Dance for PD® has generously offered a variety of resources to the PD community.
See the list below for ways to access their free classes online or to receive discounts on Home DVDs or the Video on Demand series:
- Dance for PD® is providing free, unlimited access to the Dance for PD video class library, which supports people around the world who wish to keep dancing at home when local group classes are unavailable. To access this resource, please click here.
- They are eliminating domestic and international shipping charges for customers who order the At Home DVD pack, which contains more than seven hours of at home programming. Just click here and use the code HEALTHY to take advantage of this offer.
- They have cut prices on the Video on Demand versions of the At Home DVD series by 20%. Please click here to take advantage of this special rate.
As a trainee of the Dance for PD® program and having taught my own Dancing with Parkinson’s class series, I have seen first-hand the amazing benefits of this movement class for those impacted by PD, both physically and mentally. Here are some of the scientifically-backed benefits of participating in Dance for PD® classes: improved balance, motor skill, cognition, depression and physical confidence. I hope you will take advantage of this fantastic offer and listen to the sage advice of Luigi, one of my favorite choreographers, to “Never stop moving!”
Shannon Elliott earned her Master’s in dance from York University and famously trod the boards and regaled audiences of the professional dance world for more than 20 years. Her career was and is storied. Always up for expanding her horizons, Shannon executed a full-on career pivot at the opportune moment and applied her artistry to the field of health and wellness. Someone should write a book about this. A teacher at heart, Shannon earned her personal training and group fitness certifications and began teaching Dance for PD® classes for seniors and those living with Parkinson disease. As the PMD Alliance In Sync Network Manager, she expertly blends elements of dance and movement with the opportunity to help support group leaders expand their roles and deepen their engagement in the movement disorder communities.
