Dance for PD®
Photo by Diane Dew
“Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I was looking for ways to connect to a community and to add movement to my life. I was not disappointed. Claudine’s classes are dynamic, creative, fun and joyful. In these classes, we are dancers, not patients. I am not alone in saying that this class is the highlight of our week.”
“I enjoy the energy, all the participants, and their level of engagement despite their difficulties with mobility. Perfect mind body integration. Excellent for mental health.”
“We get to learn modern dance movement history fused with physical therapy. All powered by eclectic music tracks and translation of word speech into dance movement talk.”
“I just love it. The teachers are so amazing. I feel I’m treated very nice as an individual, and encouraged to be creative, which is not what I would normally do so I feel pushed to do my best.”
Photo by KT Mower
dNaga is featured in Dave Iverson’s documentary Capturing Grace, beautifully highlighting the Dance for PD® Program and the Brooklyn Parkinson’s Group.
Register for our free, weekly Dance for PD® classes
ZOOM classes are held weekly on Thursdays 10:30–11:45 am
IN PERSON classes are held weekly on Fridays 4:30-5:45 and Saturdays 10:30–11:45 am
If you are new to Dance for PD®, please contact us here so we can connect with you for a brief orientation and welcome phone call. Please include the best way to reach you and preferable times.
Our classes are offered free of charge, and we rely on our generous supporters to maintain the class. If you would like to support the program, you can donate directly here, or find out more on our Donate page.
The Dance for Parkinson’s (Dance for PD®) program started in Brooklyn by members of the Mark Morris Dance Group in 2001, spearheaded by David Leventhal, John Heginbotham, and Misty Owens. In 2007, the dNaga program in Oakland was initiated by Claudine Naganuma, David Leventhal, and Herb Heinz as one of the first locations for the program to blossom. Free weekly classes are held year-round, and are taught by a team of teachers from Danspace led by Naganuma, who received her teaching certification in 2019. The classes combine elements of modern dance, ballet, improvisation, and dance composition. While dancing—whether in chairs, at the barre, or standing—classes are offered within a no-pressure social environment. Live music is provided by Roz Aronson, our very own pianist.
From 2007 to 2020, the program could not have existed without the partnership between PD Active and Danspace. In 2019, Naganuma received her certification and dNaga received its license to offer the Dance for PD® program. Due to COVID-19, Danspace had to temporarily close its doors— but with support from Dance for PD®, dNaga was able to move the program online. Now we’re back in the studio, and continuing Zoom classes for the foreseeable future.
‘Dance, Parkinson’s Disease, and Resiliency’
an article written by Claudine Naganuma in the Teaching Artists Guild
See an archive of past Dance for PD® and PEACE Project programs, activities, musings, and more here:
PEACE Project
Photo by Matt Haber
An extension of our Dance for PD® program, The PEACE Project offers opportunities to dancers with PD to perform with our intergenerational ensemble. Our project members are currently exploring the role of alphasynucleans, misfolding proteins and their impact on Parkinson’s disease. Through our work with people living with Parkinson’s disease, we hope to partner with doctors and scientists to find a cure. We want to encourage the medical profession to listen to their patient’s stories. People with Parkinson’s disease can share important information that can influence the medical community treats people with PD.
The nature of the PEACE Project has shifted in recent years as the pandemic has forced us to find new ways of working through video. This dance was filmed in the Fall of 2019 with intentions to present the work as part of an evening length work entitled “Mom and Me.” The work was an exploration and celebration of evolving relationships of care between mothers with Parkinson’s disease and their children.
The shelter in place order due to COVID-19 prevented us from finishing the work. We want to thank Martha and Emilia for their time, energy, and flexibility.
Martha Friedberg is now retired from her 40-year immigration law practice in Oakland. As a child, she took ballet classes and over the years has enjoyed dabbling in other forms of dance including modern, Indian and salsa although, ironically, she never performed until having Parkinson’s. Martha was diagnosed with PD in 2010, and strives to face its challenges with courage, grace and grit. She is honored to be a part of our wonderful, whimsical dNaga dance company and Dance for PD classes.
Emilia Friedberg was born and raised in Oakland. As a child, she loved to swim, romp around in unitards and eat fruit straight off the trees and vines. Her eyes were opened to the world with travels as a youngster, thanks to her mother, and expanded through college in LA with two study abroad experiences as well as further international adventures postgrad. Emilia is now an occupational therapist, yoga instructor and reiki healer in San Luis Obispo who loves bikes, yoga, rock climbing and creating herbal concoctions.