Maitland Dance for Parkinson's & Mobility Classes
A mostly seated dance class for those living with Parkinson's Disease and other mobility issues.
Why?
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Lift your mood
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Make social connections
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Safe and accessible
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Movement that doesn’t feel like exercise
What?
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Mostly seated
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Move your body within your own limits
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Enjoy the music
Who?
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Living with Parkinson’s Disease
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Mobility issues
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Partners, friends and carers
How is Dance Useful?
Through dancing you will improve your knowledge about balance, gait, sequencing, rhythm, aesthetic awareness and quality of movement. Dancing trains your body to move in new ways and helps to create new neurological pathways.
All of these skills can be useful in your day to day life living with Parkinson’s Disease and other mobility issues, and dance classes are in fact recommended by many neurologists as a beneficial and uplifting activity for their patients.
"We like the variation of dance in the class and it's very supportive"
- Pauline & Bill
Classes in 2024
We welcome new dancers to join us at any time through out the year! While we do operate on a school term basis, there is no requirement to come every week... just come by when you can. In the meantime scroll down and try our seated dance videos.
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When:
Fridays 10:00 - 11:00am (followed by morning tea)
Cost:
$15 Parkinson's Participant. $5 Carer.
Cash payment at class please.
Where:
Morpeth Church of Immaculate Conception Hall.
Corner James and George Streets Morpeth
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Registration:
Call Mikola 0401 902 898
OR Suzanne 0407 108 898
Classes run to school terms (please call to check dates)
Access:
Street parking and level access. (Ramps at gutter)
Accessible toilets.
You are welcome to dance using your walker or wheelchair or the support of your partner or carer during class​
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Facilitated by Mikola and Suzanne
Suzanne Pettit & Mikola Lee share a passion for creative dance and together, with their varied backgrounds, they create an eclectic and fun class. The atmosphere is friendly, supportive and non judgemental. Both have completed their Dance for PD Teacher Training and are excited to be bringing their passion for dance to a broader community where it can make a positive impact peoples quality of life.
What happens in class?
You will enjoy most of the class dancing while seated in a chair so you can work on dance technique and complex sequences without the worry of maintaining your balance.
We also invite you to stand at times during class if that feels good for you and we will dance with the support of the back of our chairs as well as moving through the hall with different rhythms and travelling dance steps.
You are encouraged to work with your body and how it is feeling on any given day and you will be guided to find movements that work for your body and your range of motion, while exploring dance moves in an inclusive way.
You can dance in your wheel chair, with your walker, in your chair or on your own 2 feet with or without the support of you carer. The choice is always yours!
Never danced before?
It’s never too late to start! And everyone’s unique way of moving is welcomed, there is no right or wrong way to dance and we don’t worry about right and left!
The varied music we dance to in class is inspiring, fun and uplifting and while it is not a therapy session, you may find that you leave feeling better in mind, body and spirit!
Carers, partners and friends are encouraged to join the class too.
Enjoy a safe and gentle way to get moving, have a bit of fun and meet some new friends over a cuppa after class.
Try some of our seated dance sequences
If you would like to get a feel for what happens in class, below are a couple of sequences you can practice in the comfort of your own home. Just make sure to dance on a sturdy chair!
“In the consultation room, I often get on my soap box and give a little lecture about the importance of physical activity, social interaction, mental stimulation... and Dance for PD gives all three of those."
- Neil Mahant
MD Neurologist and neurophysiologist. Westmead Public Hospital, Westmead Private Hospital, Sydney.
“You forget how to do certain movements because of the Parkinson’s but because you’re doing it here at class every week you actually remember how to do it.”
- Rob
Class Location
Imaculate Conception Morpeth Church
26 James Street Morpeth
(on the corner of George street)
Parking available on James or George streets
Level access
Accessible toilets
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Call Mikola 0401 902 898
OR Suzanne 0407 108 898
Classes run to school terms (please call to check dates)
