SARASOTA – Sarasota Ballet is introducing those with Parkinson’s to the dance in an effort to improve their quality of life.
“Our goal is to make dance accessible to this community,” said Principal of Sarasota Ballet School, Sarah Krazit.
The Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is teaming up with the Sarasota Ballet to keep their clients moving
“What actually happens with people with Parkinson’s is they have a lack of dopamine in the brain, and that lack of the chemical causes their muscles to freeze at times or to stiffen and become rigid and to just not move as fluid as other people,” said Neuro Challenge Program Director, April Moschini.
The chair exercise program aims to condition the client’s core strength and improve balance through ballet moves and music
“We’re able to incorporate a lot of those main ballet steps that you see even on stage with professionals on our seats, were able to use our upper body and our arms and even our legs and able to take some of the ballet that Sarasota is currently performing and incorporate those steps and that music into class,” said Krazit.
For Paul Hamburg of Sarasota, this is the first class back since before the pandemic
“The more you move the better you feel and I love music and movement and this is a wonderful blend of the two,” said Paul Hamburg and Mimi Weisel.
“Ballet can be experienced and enjoyed by anyone regardless of their age or their experience, we want to make sure that everyone can have that, not only the physical benefits from it but also the artistic experience as well,” said Krazit.
For more information on the program offered by Neuro Challenge, you can visit their website here.