Waltz Class Helps Those With Parkinson's At Des Plaines Studio

DES PLAINES, IL — An Arlington Heights man living with Parkinson's disease is encouraging others take part in a therapeutic and positive activity to help manage their Parkinson's symptoms, thanks to the help of a local dance studio. After Marty Maibuecher, 60, took professional dance lessons with his wife, Patti, he approached Natalie Gilberto-Biasi, owner and instructor at Move The Beat, located at 691 Lee Street, Des Plaines, about starting a Waltz class for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a release sent to Patch.

“I was interested in a Tango class for people with PD, but it was geographically inconvenient, so I researched options in the northwest suburbs and found there weren’t any nearby dance classes specifically for people living with Parkinson’s,” Maibuecher said, in the release. “After discussing the idea with Natalie, we learned about what would be involved in this type of class and how we could offer it at her studio.”

A bi-weekly Waltz for Parkinson’s class was launched in June 2019, and is not only designed for with Parkinson’s and their partners to learn the art of dance, but also provides therapeutic relief from common physical and emotional symptoms of the disease, the release said.

"The Waltz's fluid movement, rhythmical music and varying patterns exercise a dancer's mind, improve posture, can increase muscle range and release dopamine, which reduces rigidity and improves fluidity, coordination and balance," according to the release.

Held every other Wednesday from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the class brings positivity to a disease that can incite negativity for Marty, and others.

According to a finding by Parkinson’s Foundation, increasing physical activity (exercise and movement, including dancing) at least 2.5 hours a week can help with symptoms and slow the decline in quality of life for people with PD.

After experiecing a tremor in his left arm, Maibuecher was diagnosed seven years ago with PD, and today takes medications to manage his symptoms and maintain a good quality of life, the release said. In addition, Maibuecher has always been physically active, eats healthy and works out five times each week.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, Maibuecher's wife and friends will join thousands of others at Soldier Field's South Lot for Moving Day Chicago, to raise awareness of PD and raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation. Marty has a work conflict and cannot attend the event, but Patti and friends will walk with the “RUSH: Young Stiff Shaking It Up” team at Moving Day, according to a release. The team of more than 25 people consists of RUSH University’s Young Onset support group members and their family and friends.

Moving Day will include a 2-mile walk course, a kid's area and We Move Pavilion featuring activities proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Registration will open at 9 a.m., and the walk will begin at 10:30 a.m., the release said.

For more details and requirements for Move the Beat's Waltz with Parkinson's class, visit movethebeat.com.

More information: movingdaywalk.org and parkinson.org.