The Joffrey Ballet and Doctors Team Up
Imagine walking into a dance studio in Chicago. The room is buzzing with excitement. Carly Liegel, who works with the famous Joffrey Ballet, is teaching a dance class. But what’s special about this class?
Everyone dancing has Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects the brain and can make movement difficult. Carly has joined hands with doctors from Northwestern Medicine to bring this one-of-a-kind class to life.
Parkinson’s disease is known for causing problems with movement and balance, and it can’t be cured. Doctors usually give medicines to manage it, but staying active is a big part of fighting the symptoms too.
That’s why when the Joffrey Ballet wanted to start a dance class for people with Parkinson’s, Northwestern Medicine was thrilled to help out.
Why Dance? The Many Benefits of Moving to the Beat
Doctors usually tell people with Parkinson’s to stay active because it’s one of the best ways to manage the symptoms. The class at Joffrey Ballet is no ordinary workout, though. It’s full of music, dance moves, and fun. T
here are even live tunes played by a pianist! For five weeks, people in the class get to try all kinds of dance styles—ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance, with a sprinkle of freestyle moves. This makes it a hit with everyone.
Dance helps in more ways than just getting the body moving. It can also help people feel less anxious and more focused.
Participants need to remember different steps and sequences, which is good exercise for the brain. Plus, dancing with others creates a sense of belonging, just like a support group.
Ginger Hall, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago, said, “The class reminds me of how important it is to be with people and have fun, especially after the lonely times we’ve had because of COVID-19.”
Dancing for All Ages and a Boost for Spirits
The people at Joffrey Ballet believe that dance is for everyone, no matter how old you are. Carly Liegel said she loves to see people in the class smiling, even when they make a mistake. Laughter fills the room.
This class isn’t just for older folks, either. The Joffrey Ballet has programs for kids and is planning to offer more options for people over 50.
“We want to bring dance to as many people as we can in Chicago,” said Liegel. She thinks that each person brings something special to the class, adding to the joyful spirit that’s already there.
What Comes Next? More Fun Ahead!
Given how popular this dance class became so quickly, Northwestern Medicine is planning to offer another session.
They’re also looking to team up with Second City, a theater group, to create programs for Parkinson’s patients that involve acting and improv. They’re even thinking about starting golf and tennis classes.
The goal is to give people with Parkinson’s more options to stay active, happy, and connected. Everyone can bring a friend or caregiver, making the class even more special.
The doctors and dancers alike believe that if people are having fun, they’re more likely to keep coming back, which in the end, is what helps them the most.
In a world where people often feel limited by what they can do, this dance class is proving that limitations are just another challenge to dance through.
And with each step they take, these dancers are not just fighting a disease; they’re celebrating life.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and the Mediterranean diet could help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new way to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing COVID-19 may be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
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