In partnership with the Kansas City Ballet, The Ben Rubin Parkinson’s Wellness Program at The J is expanding its offerings with the addition of a new dance class designed for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.
The program works to foster connection and overall wellbeing through accessible, engaging programming.
Fully funded through a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, the new class marks the program’s first dance-based offering and its 15th total class. The Ben Rubin Parkinson’s Wellness Program currently serves 85 participants through 14 classes.
Taught by professionals from the Kansas City Ballet, the one-hour class offers gentle, guided movement designed to support balance, coordination, flexibility and memory. Participants may move seated or standing and follow simple prompts and choreography. No prior dance experience is required.
Classes are taking place until May 20 on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at The J. For more information or to express interest in the class, people can contact Dawn Aronoff at or (913) 327-8028.
As The Ben Rubin Parkinson’s Wellness Program continues to grow, new offerings like this one align with its long-term goal of serving as a community hub for Parkinson’s wellness resources. Past partnerships have included art therapy programming with Saint Luke’s. The current collaboration with Kansas City Ballet expands the program’s emphasis on movement and music-based engagement.
While designed for existing Parkinson’s Wellness Program participants, the dance class is open to the community. Attendance is capped at 12 participants to support small-group engagement, with instruction paced to meet individual needs.
In addition to the new dance class, The Ben Rubin Parkinson’s Wellness Program offers a range of group fitness options designed to support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease at varying stages. Classes vary in intensity and include fast-paced formats with floor work, as well as seated options, with safety being the program’s top priority. Programming is designed to be both challenging and engaging while remaining accessible to participants at all levels.
Movement is a central component of the program’s approach. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours per week can slow the decline in quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Research has also shown that aerobic exercise can enhance cognitive functioning, including learning, memory and problem solving.
“What makes our program unique is the way we combine fitness, community and ongoing support,” said Aronoff, the supervisor for Parkinson’s Programming at The J. “In addition to classes for people at different stages of Parkinson’s, we offer a monthly ‘Chat and Share’ meeting and a weekly gentle yoga class for care partners. During classes, care partners often gather informally, creating a welcoming and supportive community of their own.”
Additional program details and resources are available at thejkc.org/parkinsons.