It’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and we’re continuing to find meaningful stories in the world of PD. Did you tune into our recent podcast featuring Pamela Quinn – a professional dancer who’s living with Parkinson’s? She teaches dance classes in New York City for people with PD. Now, she’s taking her dance and movement tips to a broader audience online in a cool new blog (psst – Rolling Stones fans, read on…)!
Some members have noted in the PatientsLikeMe PD forum that they’ve attended and benefited from dance classes for people with PD (even ones that reference Pam’s teachings!). But what if you have PD and live where classes like this aren’t available – or if dance classes just aren’t up your alley? Check out Pam’s blog, PD Movement Lab.
Songs to step to
Pam uses visuals, like photos and videos, in a series of mini-lessons for moving and walking with PD. In one of her first posts, she shows how walking to music can improve Parkinson‘s gait, and offers a playlist of her favorite songs to walk to at varying tempos, including:
“Why are we breaking a walk down into all these bits and pieces?” she says in her latest blog post (about arm swing – featuring Judy Garland). “It’s because with Parkinson’s, we lose the ability to move unconsciously. But if we understand how things work, we can put it back together. It may require a conscious effort but at least we have the opportunity to move with coordination, fluidity, skill and awareness.”
Do you have any tips for moving or walking with PD, or favorite songs that keep you moving? Make a comment below!
On PatientsLikeMe, dozens of patients have reported trying various forms of dance to help manage their condition. Take a look.
A note from Pam: The content of this post is intended to provide experiential advice from a fellow patient about ways of moving to help manage your PD. It is in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before engaging in any new exercise program. Pamela Quinn or PD Movement Lab will not be responsible for any injury or harm you sustain in performing any exercises or following any advice presented here in.
Share this post on Twitter and help spread the word.
Some members have noted in the PatientsLikeMe PD forum that they’ve attended and benefited from dance classes for people with PD (even ones that reference Pam’s teachings!). But what if you have PD and live where classes like this aren’t available – or if dance classes just aren’t up your alley? Check out Pam’s blog, PD Movement Lab.
Songs to step to
Pam uses visuals, like photos and videos, in a series of mini-lessons for moving and walking with PD. In one of her first posts, she shows how walking to music can improve Parkinson‘s gait, and offers a playlist of her favorite songs to walk to at varying tempos, including:
- “Fever,” Peggy Lee (68 beats per minute)
- “Clarinet Concerto in A Major,” Mozart (94 bpm)
- “Moon Rocks,” Talking Heads (124 bpm)
- “Brown Sugar,” Rolling Stones (129 bpm)
“Why are we breaking a walk down into all these bits and pieces?” she says in her latest blog post (about arm swing – featuring Judy Garland). “It’s because with Parkinson’s, we lose the ability to move unconsciously. But if we understand how things work, we can put it back together. It may require a conscious effort but at least we have the opportunity to move with coordination, fluidity, skill and awareness.”
Do you have any tips for moving or walking with PD, or favorite songs that keep you moving? Make a comment below!
On PatientsLikeMe, dozens of patients have reported trying various forms of dance to help manage their condition. Take a look.
A note from Pam: The content of this post is intended to provide experiential advice from a fellow patient about ways of moving to help manage your PD. It is in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before engaging in any new exercise program. Pamela Quinn or PD Movement Lab will not be responsible for any injury or harm you sustain in performing any exercises or following any advice presented here in.
Share this post on Twitter and help spread the word.