Exercise is about more than just building strength or balance, though it can help those aspects of your life as well. With those living with the disease, dance appears to be very helpful in improving gait and balance in Parkinson’s patients. It also can provide social stimulation and support, which can be helpful in reducing depression and improving quality of life. Plus, dance stimulates cognitive functioning, an area that PD patients often struggle with.

Tryon Fine Arts Center, along with dance instructor Susan Woodham, will host Dance with Parkinson’s classes on four subsequent Wednesdays (September 18 & 25, October 2 & 9) at 10 am in the Pavilion for people with Parkinson’s Disease. This free class serves as therapy for the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical problems associated with the disease. For more information, please call the Tryon Fine Arts box office at 828.859.8322.