Dancing is for everyone
Dixie Thomas explains how chair-dancing can benefit people with Parkinson's.
In 2017, Dixie Thomas was a trained music facilitator working in schools. “I ran sessions on songwriting and playing in a rock band,” she says, “and my friend asked if I could lead some musical activities with her mum’s Parkinson’s support group in Lewisham.”
Although the group enjoyed the opportunity to make music, Dixie didn’t become a regular fixture in their calendar until she switched to teaching chair dancing. Now she’s back at the group every month, leading members through a 45-minute class which she describes as “exercise disguised as dancing.”
Getting together
“I always see a lot of smiles and laughter from the dancers,” says Dixie. “People tell me that they see an improvement in their flexibility - but one of the main benefits is the social side. Dancing is sociable, however you do it, and I think it really helps people to get together with other people who have similar symptoms.
In a group where everyone has Parkinson’s, you don’t have to explain yourself, they already understand.
Although physical activity has many benefits for people with Parkinson’s, apathy can make it difficult for people to find the motivation to move. So Dixie is always looking for a song that means something to her dancers, and has some happy memories attached to it.
“I do lots of YouTube research,” she admits, “and sometimes people will request a song too. But I usually start planning based on what we want to achieve by the end - whether that’s improved flexibility, or stretching out stiff joints. That determines the moves, and then I look for a song that has the right rhythm and pace.”
A full workout
Each class starts with a warmup and demonstration of the movements people will need. “The next song will be a little faster, and the third one is where we try the more complicated moves, or those which take a little more coordination. The last song or 2 are slower again, to bring people back to Earth.”
Unlike the school classes, Dixie rarely has any problems encouraging people to join in. “I think it helps that it’s not compulsory,” she says.
Generally everyone does what they can that day, even if it’s just tapping a toe or swaying to the music.
Everybody is welcome
Adapting dance moves so they can be done sitting down is the first step to making sure that everyone can participate.
“I also suggest alternative ways to do each move,” Dixie explains, “so if you can’t touch your elbow to your knee, you could put your hand on your knee instead. I’ll explain and demonstrate each movement clearly, and give it a name too, so that it’s easier to remember what to do the next time it comes up.”
And the mixture of familiar and new songs seems to lift everyone’s mood and get them talking. “We know that movement is important to keep us fit and that it has benefits for our overall physical and mental wellbeing. And added to that, music is life-affirming!” Dixie says.
I want to let people know that no matter your level of mobility, you can still dance.
- Dixie runs sessions at the Lewisham Parkinson’s UK support group - but we have more than 365 groups across the UK, each with their own programme of events. Find a support group, activity or session near you, or online activities you can join from home.
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