Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder within an individual’s nervous system that affects movement, sometimes significantly. Common symptoms and challenges within Parkinson’s include apathy, tremors, restricted mobility, depression, stiff joints, and slurred speech.
Presently, Parkinson’s has no cure, however, research has found that, aside from specific medications, different forms of exercise and fitness can benefit Parkinson’s symptoms. Depending on each individual’s symptoms and level of challenges within Parkinson’s, higher activity rates have been shown to reduce the severity of Parkinson’s symptoms.
Nia With Belinda provides Nia Dance classes designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s, and their caregivers, to help combat challenges and improve symptoms through gentle movements and routines.
Belinda Goodwin Showing Zoom Viewers the Movements!
How Nia Dance Can Help With Parkinson’s
Exercise is strongly encouraged for those with Parkinson’s to help improve quality of life, support combating different symptoms and challenges, and enhancing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Research has found exercise like dance, yoga, and Tai-Chi all have positive effects on Parkinson’s symptoms.
Nia Dance is a unique combination of martial arts, healing arts, and dance arts; all 52 movements originate from a specific form under one of these arts, creating a wide variety of benefits that significantly help individuals with Parkinson’s. Nia Dance is also a social form of exercise, allowing individuals to create new friendships and support systems.
The benefits Nia Dance can provide to people with Parkinson’s include strengthening muscle and joints, improvement in organ and cognitive functions, support in coordination and balance, reduction in depressive symptoms, and an increase in mood (calmer and positive).
Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE Class!
Nia For Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE
Nia With Belinda provides a class known as Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE which is specifically designed for those with Parkinson’s as well as their caregivers. It is an approved Waikato Strength and Balance class for seniors as well as individuals with limited mobility.
This class uses Nia Dance movements that have been adjusted to be gentler and less complex than what is performed in other Nia With Belinda classes. These movements and the routine they are performed in targets brain coordination and balance improvement, and developing muscle and joint strength.
Just like all other Nia With Belinda classes, Nia For Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE aims to provide all individuals with a safe, calm, and judgment-free environment, and supportive social connections with their peers in class and their teacher, Belinda Goodwin, who has received advanced certifications for dance workshops and classes for Parkinson’s. She also is a certified work first aider. All certifications can be found here.
Certification of Approval for Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE Class
Accessibility
Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance class is available as a physical class for those who live in the Hamilton area as well as online Zoom sessions which happen live at the same time as the in-person class. FREEDOM DANCE is held on Friday at 12:00 pm every week.
Physical classes are held at Saint John’s Hall which is located at 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton. If you live in the area and would prefer to go in person, classes can be booked here.
If you want to attend Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE classes but don’t have transportation, live in Hamilton, or for any reason wish to participate from home, the 12:00 pm Friday classes are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here. Zoom sessions capture the physical class live so you can still maintain some form of social connection to your teacher and peers.
Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE From Zoom Session Perspective
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Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE is an ideal form of weekly exercise and social interaction for those with Parkinson’s no matter where you are or the severity of your symptoms.
If you know someone else who might enjoy Nia Dance but is not diagnosed with Parkinson’s there are numerous other classes you can view below!
If you’re still unsure as to whether Nia Dance is suitable for you, or if you have any questions, contact us here.
Weekly Dance classes to choose from , dancing Live Online or In person at our Dance Venues
• Nia Dance Move to Heal Tuesday classes (11:15 am) are held at Saint Aidan’s Hall (located on the corner of Thames Street and Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
• Nia Dance Move to Heal Tuesday classes (11:15 am) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
• Classic Nia Tuesday classes (5:30 pm) are held at the Waikato Sports Fishing Club (located on Grantham Street, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
• Classic Nia Tuesday classes (5:30 pm) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
• Gentle Nia Wednesday classes (9:30 am) are held at the Raglan Town Hall (located on 41 Bow Street, Raglan), and can be booked here.
• Gentle Nia Wednesday classes (9:30 am) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
• Classic Nia Friday classes (9:30 am) are held at Saint John’s Hall (located on 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
• Classic Nia Friday classes (9:30 am) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
Nia With Belinda
Want to find out more about the Nia Technique? Check out nianow.com.