Dance is therapy — whether it is to cure a medical condition or heal the soul, it has been known to help.
Dancer Hrishikesh Pawar and his team have been helping seniors with Parkinson’s since 2009 and attest that specially designed and curated dance sessions have healing benefits.
Their dance classes not only help spread smiles among groups that are constantly battling with their ailments, but give them a moment to breathe and relax.
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Recently, Pawar, who is the founder and lead instructor of the Dance for PD (Parkinson’s disease) programme in Pune, received the Mark Morris Dance Group’s certification.
It is a prestigious honour given for one’s commitment to providing high-quality and research-backed dance classes for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Dance for PD is an internationally recognised programme developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group in partnership with the Brooklyn Parkinson’s Group. It is designed to help people with the condition improve motor skills, balance, flexibility and overall well-being through the art of dance.
“The Pune programme, which runs under the Avartan Dance Foundation, has over 1,000 participants from across the country in both online and offline classes,” Pawar said. Many of the current participants started with online classes and attend the offline course in Kothrud now.
“I have been attending classes for over a year and, on some days, it is the only reason for me to step out of my house. I love the process. The instructors are very helpful and are always there when you need them. We dance to a lot of different songs and play games too. I have always liked dancing, so this is a great opportunity for me to relax and unwind,” said 73-year-old Parimala Gangavati.
Since Pawar started the programme, the field and scope has grown a lot. He said that compared to when he had begun, younger people increasingly approach him now to learn the workings of the structured dance.
They are also keen to become facilitators — all in the service of growing the programme and helping more patients.
Vilas Bhogawat, who is a regular participant, said he looks forward to the classes. “I eagerly await them every week, because it’s the best part of my day. It’s not only a great form of exercise, but is very relaxing. There is no cure for Parkinson’s. However, these classes help us manage our diagnosis better, because movement is good for us. Tanvi, Shweta and Purva, my instructors, treat me like I am their grandfather! There are a lot of us with Parkinson’s and more classes like this would benefit everyone,” 74-year-old Bhogawat told TOI.
Pawar has been a dancer for over two decades. He started the programme in Pune, his hometown, to be able to give back to the city that’s his own. “Dancing continues to challenge me and working with those who are a part of the PD programme brings me joy. There is a lot to learn at every step of the way and the process keeps me anchored,” he said.
Dance and movement therapy for Parkinson’s disease improves balance, walking speed and movement initiation, said Dr Prajwal Rao, Professor and head, department of neurology, DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri. “By incorporating dynamic balance control, dance enhances functional mobility. Additionally, its social aspect fosters improved quality of life, while also promoting cardiovascular health,” he added.
Raising awareness about the programme is a big part of what Pawar does. He speaks about it at events in the city and rest of India. He often travels with some patients and facilitators to perform.
Pawar’s PD programme being recognised internationally is giving him a platform to further the cause. His work has become the foundation for several similar initiatives across the globe, especially in the United States.
It has paved the way for the field of contemporary dance to look at community benefits.
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Dance provides a wonderful space for people of all ages and physical abilities to learn and explore. It was challenging at first, because there is a lot of guilt and shame attached with Parkinson’s. However, dance helps forget the illness and gives the senior citizens an opportunity to step out of their homes, when they come for class — Hrishikesh Pawar | Founder & Lead instructor, PD programme
