Move · Videos · Dance · 66 min

Dance for PD Taster Class with Mark Morris Dancers

Dance for PD Taster Class with Mark Morris Dancers — video by DanceforPD Watch on YouTube · 1:05:36

Video by DanceforPD on YouTube · Open on YouTube

The creator only allows this video to play on YouTube itself.

A taster of the original Dance for PD class from the Mark Morris Dance Group: a seated warm-up, imagery-led dances, mirroring, call-and-response and a plié, seated or standing. Joyful and made for people with Parkinson's and carers. If you have Parkinson's, check with your doctor first.

  • 66 min
  • All levels
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • chair
  • Contemporary

Good forHealthy ageingDancing for fun

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Step by step 13

Tap a time to watch that step on YouTube.

  1. Sit tall with feet flat and hands on your hips, lift through the spine and take three slow breaths. 7:12
  2. Seated sun salutation: scoop the arms up, dive forward, peel back up, cross the arms and press wide. 8:21
  3. Sun salutation again with the studio class, flowing continuously to the music. 12:03
  4. Imagery dance: clear the fog, a sunrise and sunset, stars, then a river, birds, a moon and falling mist. 14:21
  5. Foot warm-up: rise to the balls of the feet, roll out and in, trace circles, then point, flex and cross. 21:49
  6. Hand games: rock, paper, scissors and a snap, then deal cards to each side; go half speed if you need to. 27:28
  7. The book: slide one arm across into an imaginary sleeve and back as the lower body twists with it. 35:23
  8. Mirroring: one partner leads with made-up moves and the other follows as closely as possible. 41:25
  9. Seasons mirroring: follow the dancers as they improvise the four seasons, swapping leaders halfway. 44:36
  10. Call and response: watch the teacher's short phrase, then repeat it as closely as you can. 47:04
  11. Pliés with mime: hold the chair as a barre or stay seated; bend and stretch, sweep the arm, then act a scene. 51:18
  12. Combination taught in parts: heel-ball march, side steps, open and close, fern stretch and railroad step. 58:03
  13. Full combination to music, seated or standing, using the chair for balance as your weight shifts. 1:02:05

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Sit tall on a sturdy kitchen-style chair with both feet flat on the floor
  • Change or shrink any move that does not feel right for your body
  • There is no wrong way to dance; move as fully as you can to the music

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesseated arm dances, sun salutation, book arms
  • Upper back movesseated dives and roll-ups, torso orbits
  • Lower back movesseated dives and roll-ups, torso orbits
  • Hips movesrailroad steps, side steps, pliés at the chair
  • Knees movesdemi pliés and steps at the chair
  • Ankles & feet movesfoot circles, heel and toe presses

Easier option from the coach: Seated throughout if you like; standing steps use a chair for support

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by DanceforPD; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety