When the Whole Room Starts to Dance: Mid Stride Workshop Recap

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Parkinson’s Orange County welcomed a full house—175+ attendees—for our Mid Stride Workshop at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center. The morning brought together people with Parkinson’s, care partners, clinicians, students, and community providers for practical education, resources, and a shared reminder: movement and music are powerful tools for living well.

A Room in Motion

Executive Director Erin Drake Angelo opened the program with a seated “micro-class” that transformed every chair into a mini dance floor. In just a few minutes, the whole room was clapping, tapping toes, rolling shoulders, and swaying to the beat. The sequence was simple, safe, and adaptable—focused on breath, posture resets, rhythmic claps, gentle torso rotation, and expressive arm patterns.

Why seated? Because accessibility matters. Erin’s approach allowed first-timers, people using mobility aids, and seasoned exercisers to move together, proving that the benefits of dance—improved mood, rhythm, attention, and connection—don’t require choreography or special shoes. The shift in the room was palpable: energy up, shoulders down, smiles everywhere.

Expert Insights & Real-World Resources

The workshop paired that movement experience with timely expertise:

• Dr. Mindy Bixby highlighted current medical and technical advancements in treating Parkinson’s, clarifying options and practical next steps.

• Dr. Sandeep Thakkar explored research and innovations on the horizon, helping members understand what’s coming and how to prepare.

Between sessions, participants visited 23 vendor/resource tables—from therapy and exercise programs to clinical services and community supports—turning ideas into action plans.

Powered by Volunteers & Community

A special thank-you to the Chapman University and Concordia University student volunteers who kept check-in smooth, supported vendors and speakers, and guided attendees throughout the morning. Their service helped us focus on what matters most: creating a welcoming, informed, and hopeful space for our community.

What Participants Took Home

• Confidence to move—even on tougher days—using short seated sequences that can be done at home.

• Clarity on care—up-to-date information on treatments, referrals, and self-advocacy.

• Connections—new providers, new peers, and new motivation to keep going.

Thank You

To every attendee, vendor, volunteer, and speaker: thank you for making Mid Stride a morning of momentum. Together, we’re building a community where people affected by Parkinson’s can learn, move, and thrive—one beat at a time.

Want more opportunities like this? Keep an eye on upcoming POC workshops, support groups, and movement classes, and invite a friend to join you next time.