My unlikely dance crew vs. Parkinson’s

The author and her daughter Juno dance to "APT." —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

April 11 is World Parkinson’s (PD) Disease Day. There’s no cure—just a whole lot of managing. For me, that means meds, therapies, and doing weirdly uncomfortable things like hip-hop dance to keep my brain and body from getting stuck. I’ve been living with young-onset Parkinson’s for two years now, and movement is my daily rebellion against tremors, stiffness, slowness, and all the invisible symptoms people don’t talk about.

For folks dealing with Parkinson’s, moving big is a big deal. Programs like the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG therapy (LSVT-BIG) are all about dialing up the size of your movements (think exaggerated steps, purposeful arm swings, and full-body coordination) to fight back against the stiffness and smallness Parkinson’s likes to sneak in. It’s an intense, one-on-one therapy that retrains your brain and body to go big or, well, go slower.

I don’t have access to formal LSVT-BIG therapy, but I lean on free Power for Parkinson’s videos on YouTube, which echo those principles. Still, I craved something livelier. Dance seemed like the perfect combo of brain, body, and human connection. It’s less about perfecting steps and more about feeling the beat, staying upright, and laughing with supportive friends who humor me.

The author (rightmost) with Teacher BJ and Chris Crombie of Parkinson’s Fight Club.

Since I grew up on a steady diet of grunge and alt-rock, hip-hop dance wasn’t exactly on my radar. But with Parkinson’s in the mix, I needed something that pushed my brain and body out of their comfort zones. Hip-hop is a high-energy, footwork-heavy, freestyle street dance rooted in self-expression, attitude, and raw rhythm. It’s intense, expressive, and way outside my musical taste, but that’s kind of the point.

After dinner with my old friend Chuchay, she invited me to join her and her friend Tanya in my first beginner hip-hop class with Teacher Ram at G-Force Dance Center, Alabang. I was glad I tried something new, neuroprotective, and fun.

To supplement my Parkinson’s battle strategy, I’ve been coming back weekly, paying it forward by inviting friends I haven’t met in a while to join me. I appreciate their show of support and relish the after-dance meal we get to enjoy sometimes. Some family members have joined the fun too; dancing with my kids Jack and Juno, niece Dior, and sister-in-law Milky has been a treat.

‘Angas’

I’ve since tried several teachers at G-Force, all incredible choreographers. I like how Teacher Ishii assures newcomers not to expect to hit the moves instantly, as we are not used to doing them daily. I’ve even tried Teacher Jorge’s sexy class a couple of times, and he’s hilarious. Other teachers are more straightforward and may not adjust their choreography, so I just try to keep up.

What I appreciate most about the genre is the attitude it demands, the so-called angas or confidence that doesn’t come naturally. After years of being minimized, for those 90 minutes, I feel capable and good about myself.

The author’s first beginner’s hip-hop class with Teacher Ram, Chuchay Sison, and Tanya Favis.

Teacher Ram and his brother, Teacher Jerry, are my favorites. They patiently break down moves that might be too tough to follow. I appreciate Teacher Jerry the most. He isn’t chatty, but he’s friendly and efficient in simplifying the moves and making time for several run-throughs. His enthusiasm and passion for dancing are contagious.

It’s been over half a year, and I still feel hip-hop is out of character for me, but I’m happy my brain is still retaining the steps. My classmates range from 6-year-old wunderkinds to doctors showing up for stress release.

My “keepin’ it real” dance reels sparked something unexpected; friends from up north and balikbayans have joined me in the studio for something more fun than the usual meal catch-up. Ria, my friend from the US, even brought her mom to dance with us!

Most amazing so far is how someone I met on a Parkinson’s Fight Club Facebook group made the trip from the US to dance with me, too. Chris Crombie is an awesome 50-something Parkinson’s warrior who visited the Philippines with her husband, Jeff. They did an Intramuros bamboo bike tour straight from their flight from Seattle, danced with me the next day, and then went on a swim and trek at El Nido the day after. That’s how she beats PD!

Parkinson’s might try to shrink me, but for the time I spend in the studio, I move big, I laugh hard, and I feel capable and hopeful.