Lucy Bowen, director of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Dance for PD, teaches a class that helps Parkinson's patients through dance. Photo courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Dance for PD

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When people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) walk into a dance class, they may have canes or even wheelchairs. By the end of the one-hour class, though, they’ve changed, according to longtime teacher Lucy Bowen.

“You will see someone’s gait is like a shuffle, but by the end of the class, they’re lifting their feet like a Broadway dancer. It’s remarkable,” said Bowen, who has been teaching Dance for PD classes for 18 years.

This fall, instructors from the Washington Ballet are offering the free classes at Inspīr Embassy Row, a luxury assisted living and memory care community in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Ballet has been offering free Dance for PD classes for several years, but this is the first time the company is bringing the classes directly to a senior living community.

“We reached out to them about a partnership and decided to partner with them. It just fell into place in a beautiful way,” said Amanda Glendinning, general manager at Inspīr Embassy Row.

Washington Ballet’s mission

As the Washington Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the organization plans to “continue to have impact on our community through dance,” said Edwaard Liang, its artistic director.

“What’s wonderful about this [Dance for PD] program is that it’s data-driven,” Liang said, noting that more than 40 studies have shown that these dance classes can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

“With regular classes, this incredibly difficult and cruel illness can at least be slowed down. For anybody who’s suffering, it brings hope, it brings pleasure, it brings community,” Liang said.

Parkinson’s can be an isolating condition, he said, but the classes are an opportunity “to be acknowledged and seen.”

Dance for PD’s history

The program Dance for PD began in Brooklyn 25 years ago when a lifelong dancer, Olie Westheimer, walked into the Mark Morris Dance Group’s studio and suggested they offer a dance class for Parkinson’s patients. In October 2001, six students participated in the first class.

Instructor David Leventhal created a syllabus, and the studio began expanding the program throughout the world, teaching and certifying instructors.

Today Mark Morris Dance Group administers the program, which has 500 classes a week in 300 locations.

Bowen, a friend of Leventhal, got involved early on and to date has taught hundreds of instructors how to help Parkinson’s patients through dance. Bowen closed down her dance company five years ago to focus on Dance for PD and today is its Mid-Atlantic director.

“It’s expanding rapidly,” Bowen said. “We have a broad reach. I’m one person and I’m getting old, so I don’t want to teach them all.”

Free classes in our area

In the DMV, free Dance for PD classes are available at a dozen locations, including INOVA Hospital, the REACH at the Kennedy Center, Maryland Youth Ballet and Washington Ballet’s Cathedral Commons in upper Northwest.

The newest location at Inspīr Embassy Row enables residents and members of the public to access the life-changing program.

“We want to be able to give people, whether they have Parkinson’s or other movement-based disorders, the tools that they need to keep their disease from progressing,” Glendinning said. “To help them feel as empowered as they can and stay dignified, stay independent.”

The Monday morning classes are open to the public, not just residents of Inspīr Embassy Row.

“You don’t even have to sign up in advance. Just show up. We try to remove all the barriers,” Bowen said.

Of course, tights and leotards are not required. Everyone wears comfortable clothing and does their best, seated or standing.

“You don’t have to have talent or skill to get the benefits,” Bowen said. “Amazingly enough, we have more men than women in the class. The men are as hooked as the women,” she said, noting that Parkinson’s affects more men than women.

For an hour a week, people can overcome their limitations, she said.

“People who come in and struggle to get there — their gait is terrible, and they’re hunched over, and life is hard — they respond to this,” Bowen said. “We overpower the disease while we’re there, and they don’t feel like patients. It’s a beautiful thing that happens.”

For more information, see danceforpd.org, washingtonballet.org/dance-for-pd, inspirseniorliving.com or call (202) 293- 2100 or (202) 362-3606.