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Dance helps #Parkinson's Patients #Feldenkrais

 

This PBS report, Dance Helps Parkinson's Patients Harness Therapeutic Power of Movement, is incredible. Truly a must-see. At one point, a participant speaks about being a butterfly in the dance. She observes that even if her arms do not actually extend all the way, in her mind’s eye they do extend and become wings, so, in her words, she is “there”.

After you watch it, read on if my own experience as a practitioner on this subject sounds interesting.  Or just add your comments to the discussion.

Since I began to work with clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and discovered how much more they improved in sessions when I engaged them in games, in rhythm exercises and particularly in partner items, I have been quite interested in figuring out how to offer more of this to certain clients in a more cost effective way.  Additionally, last year I read Oliver Sacks’ book Musicophilia. In it he indicates that partner dancing, particularly the Tango is extremely valuable for these issues, including Parkinson's disease.

Recently, a client of mine was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. The medications have caused him repeated falls and injuries, and perhaps if he gets safely through acclimating to the meds, he will get good benefit from the drugs. 

To help with his balance, I began using the Bones for Life Goat Skipping with him, in a chair. It was very illuminating for him as he does not know how to keep a stable rhythm, rather speeding up or becoming erratic within a couple beats. This awareness really captivated him. Soon we came to standing while holding arms and facing each other. Again we played with side stepping in an even rhythm. By the end he was walking so beautifully. Just incredible. Perhaps the best I had seen in him in the entire time I have been working with him.

When his wife came in, he wanted to show her what we had been up to. He said, "Look, we are dancing." She rolled her eyes and said, "I have been hoping for that the entire time we have been together."

I love it that he named it dance--not I. There was no music, just he and I learning to find a rhythm together that was safe and pleasurable.

Cynthia Allen, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and Bones for Life Teacher/Trainer. Allen is co-creator of Integral Human Gait Theory and teaches Gait for Wild Human Potential workshops.