Donate
EN
FR
Une professeure dirige deux jeunes danseuses dans un cours de ballet
A large crowd gathered for Sharing Dance Day.
Students perform in Arise.
Five dancers jumping in unison.
Parkinson's text with moving underline

Sharing Dance Parkinson’s

Dance can change lives!


Sharing Dance Parkinson's was informed and inspired by the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD® program. The program is specially designed to make dance accessible to people living with Parkinson's disease (PD).


Numerous studies indicate that dance is uniquely beneficial for people living with PD - improving gait, posture, and balance (Shanahan et al., 2015). Beyond physical benefits, dance encourages social inclusion and personal and artistic expression. Increased social engagement (Foster et al., 2013) and improved quality of life (Heiberger , 2011) have also been captured in research studying the impact of dance for people living with PD. 

 

two dancers participate in a sharing dance parkinson's class.

Sharing Dance Parkinson’s classes at NBS

Come dance with us at our campus in downtown Toronto!

 

These FREE classes, created specifically for people with Parkinson's Disease, are designed to be physically, mentally and creatively stimulating and incorporate a variety of different musical and dance styles. Seated and standing options are incorporated into classes. 

 

  • Classes will be held Tuesdays from 11:15- 12:00pm

  • Classes begin Tuesday Sept 17, 2024

  • 400 Jarvis st, Toronto


If you would like more information, or are interested in registering please email sharingdance@nbs-enb.ca.

 

A dancer participates enthusiastically in a sharing dance parkinson's class

Grounded in research

NBS launched its program in tandem with a study by York University and Toronto Metropolitan University researchers exploring the benefits of dance for people with PD.

 

The study is the first of its kind to follow PwPD over a three-year period during weekly dance participation with music, providing additional information regarding the nature of progression of motor and non-motor PD symptoms. Participants in the study include participants from NBS’ Sharing Dance Parkinson’s classes.

 

The study has now been published! Click below to learn more about the findings.

Read More
Dance for Parkinson’s Network Canada

Dance for Parkinson’s Network Canada

In 2013, NBS began to offer a dance program for people with PD in collaboration with the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD® program in New York, and Dancing with Parkinson's. Now, along with Parkinson Canada, the four organizations have come together to form the Dance for Parkinson’s Network Canada.

 

Dance for Parkinson’s Network Canada (DFPNC) improves access to dance programs for people living with PD, regardless of physical mobility or geographic location. Beyond the therapeutic benefits of dance for people with PD, these dance programs provide the community with an opportunity to experience the joy of dancing.

Learn more about DFPNC