CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A new partnership between the Joffrey Ballet and Northwestern Medicine aims to get Parkinson’s patients dancing as a way to keep them healthy.
At the Joffrey’s South Loop studios, people with Parkinson’s Disease are learning ballet, jazz, tap and other dances. The class is backed by research and one of the latest offerings from Northwestern Medicine aimed at helping their muscles and memories stay limber.
Dr. Danny Bega is a specialist in movement disorders with the health system.
"To have an intervention that is targeting both mind and body, because Parkinson's targets both mind and body is really valuable," he said.
Joffrey’s community engagement program coordinator Carly Liegel is leading the five week class.
"I really want people to takeaway that anybody can dance no matter your ability," she said.
"Whether one week you might be able to stand up and do something and the next week you may need to sit a little bit and take it down a notch, it totally doesn’t matter as long as you’re dancing and having fun. And finding the artistry in your body—that’s what matters."
The free class is one of the first for Parkinson’s patients to return to in-person since the pandemic and is full for this session. Northwestern Medicine is looking to add more classes in the fall.
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