A Unique Dance Program for People with Parkinson Disease and Their Care-Partners
Bowen McCauley Dance is the only dance company in the Metropolitan-DC area to provide Dance for PD-free weekly dance classes for people with Parkinson Disease and their care-partners. Lucy Bowen McCauley, BMD’s Artistic Director and founder, is honored to bring dance to people with this disease. Besides the health benefits, dance takes the mind and spirit away from the thoughts of disease, the disability and social isolation.
“When I am in class my old body has left me and a new body has set in. It’s like a wind has washed all the evil of the disease out of my system.”
Dance for PD
® originated with the Brooklyn (N.Y.) Parkinson Group and the Mark Morris Dance Group.At the invitation of MMDG and PFNCA, McCauley received training and certification in March 2008 to teach these fun and innovative classes. (For more information about the national program and how to find a class near you visit the official
Dance for PD Web site.)
When participating in the dance program, people with the disease report a decrease in physical symptoms and improved psychological and emotional benefits. One participant taking the class simply stated, “I lose my symptoms when I’m there.”
Over 500,000 Americans are living with Parkinson Disease, and another 5,000 are diagnosed every year. This degenerative and progressive disease is marked by tremors, stiffness, loss of balance and coordination, and slowed movement.
In a study of patients with Parkinson Disease, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that those patients who participated in dance classes showed significant improvement in balance and mobility over those who participated in non-dance exercise programs.
Click here to listen to “Your Brain’s Got Rhythem, And Syncs When You Think”, a piece on NPR’s All Things Considered featuring Lucy Bowen McCauley’s Silver Spring Dance for PD® class.
Click here to see a documentary featuring
the Dance for PD® program courtesy of Last Name Left Productions.
Due to the great success of the program, BMD now offers five classes throughout the region at no charge to participants. Currently, the free classes are offered in these locations:
| Maryland Youth Ballet |
Vantage House |
Kenmore Middle School |
Tuesdays, 2:45-4:00 p.m.
926 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, Md.
View Map |
Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
5400 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, Md.
View Map |
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
200 S. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, Va.
View Map |
| Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy |
Hollin Hall Senior Center |
Grand Oaks Assisted Living Residence |
Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
203 South Cameron Street
Winchester, Va.
View Map
Offered in 10-week sessions. Does not meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information, email dance@bmdc.org |
Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
1500 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, Va.
View Map |
Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
5901 MacArthur Blvd., NW
Washington, DC
View Map
This class meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. |
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Washington DCJCC
Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
1529 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
New this year! |
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Dance for PD®
A Unique Dance Program for People with Parkinson Disease and Their Care-Partners
Bowen McCauley Dance is the only dance company in the Metropolitan-DC area to provide Dance for PD-free weekly dance classes for people with Parkinson Disease and their care-partners. Lucy Bowen McCauley, BMD’s Artistic Director and founder, is honored to bring dance to people with this disease. Besides the health benefits, dance takes the mind and spirit away from the thoughts of disease, the disability and social isolation.
“When I am in class my old body has left me and a new body has set in. It’s like a wind has washed all the evil of the disease out of my system.”
When participating in the dance program, people with the disease report a decrease in physical symptoms and improved psychological and emotional benefits. One participant taking the class simply stated, “I lose my symptoms when I’m there.”
Over 500,000 Americans are living with Parkinson Disease, and another 5,000 are diagnosed every year. This degenerative and progressive disease is marked by tremors, stiffness, loss of balance and coordination, and slowed movement.
In a study of patients with Parkinson Disease, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that those patients who participated in dance classes showed significant improvement in balance and mobility over those who participated in non-dance exercise programs.
Click here to listen to “Your Brain’s Got Rhythem, And Syncs When You Think”, a piece on NPR’s All Things Considered featuring Lucy Bowen McCauley’s Silver Spring Dance for PD® class.
Click here to see a documentary featuring
the Dance for PD® program courtesy of Last Name Left Productions.
Due to the great success of the program, BMD now offers five classes throughout the region at no charge to participants. Currently, the free classes are offered in these locations:
926 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, Md.
View Map
5400 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, Md.
View Map
200 S. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, Va.
View Map
203 South Cameron Street
Winchester, Va.
View Map
Offered in 10-week sessions. Does not meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information, email dance@bmdc.org
1500 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, Va.
View Map
5901 MacArthur Blvd., NW
Washington, DC
View Map
This class meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.
Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
1529 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
New this year!
Upcoming Performances