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Dance for Parkinson's Northampton

Dance for Parkinson’s Northampton

Come dance! This class is designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and their spouses, family members, friends, and caregivers. Classes are appropriate for anyone with PD and no dance training is required. We integrate ballet, modern, folk dance, improvisation, and rhythmic styles to engage participants in an experience that develops artistry while also addressing various PD-specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation, and depression. Classes are modeled after the Dance for PD® classes developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson Group.

Fritha attended the Dance for PD training at the Mark Morris Dance Center (MMDC) in Brooklyn and regularly attends advanced workshops at the MMDC.

 

**Dance for Parkinson’s Northampton**

Tuesdays, 2:15pm – 3:15pm

**Winter 2024 Series*
January 16 – February 27, 2024
7-week Series: $140
Drop-in: $25/class

(masks optional)
Studio Helix
3rd Floor Thornes Market
150 Main Street
Northampton, MA

Register for the series below
(Contact me to pay by check – thanks!)
OR 
Sign up for a drop-in class here!!

*Scholarships available, please inquire.

If you have PD and are unable to attend the class, I offer private lessons in which we tailor the dance material specifically for you. Please inquire below.

Registration Instructions:

1. Click Register button below
2. Set Time Zone
3. Click ‘Continue’
4. Fill out intake form
5. Click ‘pay now’
6. Contact us if you have any trouble

“We joined Fritha’s Dance for Parkinson’s class 3 (or 4?) years ago, soon after she started it in Northampton. We immediately found it not only helpful but fun. She challenges us to move in more rhythmic and expansive ways and is continuously composing new routines that ease the typical progression of the disease, be it constricted movement and expression issues, balance difficulties, or lowered energy and fatigue. She encourages every individual in our group—those with PD and caregivers–week after week. Her personal warmth and joy in movement are a deep gift to us all. We plan to stay dance with her as long as we can.”
– Ed Blatchford and wife, Claire.

“When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I had become unable to dance as I had always loved to do. The Dance for Parkinson’s class has restored a lot of those skills through the magic of music and repetition of the movement sequences. The class is very pleasant. Fritha provides a skilled and joyous presence…make no mistake about it, it is rigorous. I get a needed workout during every session. Positivity and good humor permeates the class. I have also developed wonderful friendships with my fellow Parkinsonians and their caregivers. Even if I walk into the class feeling “not so good”, l invariably leave feeling great!”
– Peggy Gurman

“Fritha has the training, capabilities, and personality that combine to make a really great class. She understands body movement and is able to suggest alternate ways of moving, to allow everyone to participate in the dance never mind their abilities. She is organized and patient. I highly recommend her class. Besides, its fun!”
– Jean O’Neil

Contact Fritha to learn more about Dance for Parkinson’s Northampton!

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