PFP - Why Popping?

WHY POPPING?

Popping is a form of dance originating in California in the late 1970s, involving rhythmic contractions of the dancer’s muscles to accent the beat.

The key concept of our Popping for Parkinson’s classes is to use Popping dance techniques as an innovative therapeutic tool for improving the physical condition of people affected by Parkinson’s disease.

It is the first time that Popping has been used as a tool for medical purposes and the feedback until now has been very positive. Participants not only see improvement in their natural movement capacities, but also gain confidence, feel less socially isolated and have fun.

Read the first scientific paper on the benefits of popping dance on people with parkinson's HERE

For more questions visit our FAQ page

FAQ

Physical benefits

Learning a new skill such as Popping stimulates neuroplasticity.
Dancing increases range of motion, body control, body awareness, balance, use of breath, coordination, memory, flexibility, blood circulation, posture, muscle tone and much more.
Since Popping is based on the constant interchange between contraction and immediate release of the muscles, students feel that their bodies are more relaxed than usual. Instead of trying to go against the body tension caused by Parkinson's, students go along with it, and that leads the muscles to a necessary relaxation/recovery time.
Students say Popping lessens the tremors.
In case of freezing, students find going back to walking easier if they pop their legs instead of forcing them to walk.

Psychological aspects:

Dancing reduces stress.
Dancing helps fighting depression.
Dancing boosts students' self-confidence.
Popping makes students feel stronger and more connected to their bodies.
Students say dancing improves their quality of life.
Dancing stimulates creativity, intellect and emotions.

Social benefits:

Going to a class stimulates students to meet other people and engage in social activities.
Dancing is about sharing a moment of fun, freedom and enjoyment.
Students feel less isolated.
Students feel less alone in their condition.
Dancing creates a safe environment for everyone to enjoy moving to the music with no distinction of gender, race, age, disability or faith.

Other benefits:

Popping classes widen the range of classes offered for people with Parkinson's.
Popping is more suitable for younger people with Parkinson's, as it is more active.
This project opens new doors to Hip Hop as a dance therapy.