Empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives

From the Community

July 23, 2025

Irina Fedulow Plante

Benefits of Dance for People Living With MS

boost neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form new connections and learn new things) as you learn new movement sequences and dance words, maintain rhythm and stay present in the moment. Dance also activates several brain regions — including the sensory, motor and cognitive areas — at the same time. It especially activates the corpus callosum, which is the area responsible for communication between the brain hemispheres.Ballet is also considered low impact exercise, so it’s lighter on the joints and can potentially reduce future injury risk. Plus, dancing is often a social activity that creates a sense of community.Researchers have started looking into the benefits of dance programs for people living with MS that incorporate ballet movements. They have found improvements in cognition, attention, spatial awareness and overall well-being. In 2018, a pilot study had 10 women with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) do two 60-minute targeted ballet sessions each week for 16 weeks. The results showed improvement in balance by 42% and improvement in ataxia by 58%, especially in posture and gait.This area of research is newer but continues to gain momentum. In Scotland, the Scotland Ballet has a program called SB Elevate, which focuses on teaching dance and ballet to people with MS. The instructors and participants have reported remarkable improvements.A former professional dancer, Emily Davis, moved to Scotland to complete her PhD in dance health at Glasgow Caledonian University. There, she began working with SB Elevate, Scottish Ballet and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to identify trends and benefits of dance for MS. In 2023, she published her findings in “Dance for Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.”" c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

Research continues to show the benefits of dance in general. Dance has been found to boost neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form new connections and learn new things) as you learn new movement sequences and dance words, maintain rhythm and stay present in the moment. Dance also activates several brain regions — including the sensory, motor and cognitive areas — at the same time. It especially activates the corpus callosum, which is the area responsible for communication between the brain hemispheres.Ballet is also considered low impact exercise, so it’s lighter on the joints and can potentially reduce future injury risk. Plus, dancing is often a social activity that creates a sense of community.Researchers have started looking into the benefits of dance programs for people living with MS that incorporate ballet movements. They have found improvements in cognition, attention, spatial awareness and overall well-being. In 2018, a pilot study had 10 women with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) do two 60-minute targeted ballet sessions each week for 16 weeks. The results showed improvement in balance by 42% and improvement in ataxia by 58%, especially in posture and gait.This area of research is newer but continues to gain momentum. In Scotland, the Scotland Ballet has a program called SB Elevate, which focuses on teaching dance and ballet to people with MS. The instructors and participants have reported remarkable improvements.A former professional dancer, Emily Davis, moved to Scotland to complete her PhD in dance health at Glasgow Caledonian University. There, she began working with SB Elevate, Scottish Ballet and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to identify trends and benefits of dance for MS. In 2023, she published her findings in “Dance for Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.”

Tips for Doing Ballet With MS

the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Can Do MS.Remember to have fun and enjoy what you are doing!!" c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

If you are interested in adding ballet to your exercise routine, there are modifications you can make for accessibility, especially as you’re starting out.(Please note that adding any new exercise or activity to your life takes planning and practice. If you have any questions or safety concerns, reach out to your medical team for guidance.)My tips for practicing ballet with MS include:

Try different positions that improve balance, such as lying on your side, sitting or standing with the support of a steady surface.
Start with small, singular movements, such as bringing one arm to your side in a half circle. As you feel more comfortable, start adding wrist bends or neck turns.
If it’s difficult to perform a certain movement, use guided imagery. This means picturing yourself doing the movement, using the mind-body connection to reduce stress.
Use supportive props like a bolster pillow, or get assistance from a carepartner.
Add music when you’re ready. If you find the music too distracting in the beginning, go without. When you’re ready, play calming classical music. YouTube and Spotify have a lot of wonderful ballet playlists to choose from.
If you play music, still practice 1-2 movements at a time. You can gradually add more to your dance sequence.
Take time to just move in a way that feels right to you with the music. Sometimes, if we are too focused on doing certain movements or progressions perfectly, we lose out on the fun of it. Moving freely can center your mind and body.
Choose footwear that works for you. There are many options. You can wear athletic shoes, thin ballet socks or non-skid socks — or even just go barefoot. Find what feels safe and sensory friendly for you.
Listen to your body. Drink water, incorporate stretching breaks and change your position as often as needed.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, use a grounding technique like tapping, deep breathing or meditation to help center yourself.

There are many resources for adaptive ballet, both in person and virtual. When looking at classes, reflect on what your goals and needs are. Be sure to ask the instructors questions and observe a class if possible. Classes can be found through local organizations, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Can Do MS.Remember to have fun and enjoy what you are doing!!

A woman completes a ballet pose while seated in a chair. — Irina demonstrates an adaptive ballet pose.

the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Can Do MS.Remember to have fun and enjoy what you are doing!!" c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

Try different positions that improve balance, such as lying on your side, sitting or standing with the support of a steady surface.
Start with small, singular movements, such as bringing one arm to your side in a half circle. As you feel more comfortable, start adding wrist bends or neck turns.
If it’s difficult to perform a certain movement, use guided imagery. This means picturing yourself doing the movement, using the mind-body connection to reduce stress.
Use supportive props like a bolster pillow, or get assistance from a carepartner.
Add music when you’re ready. If you find the music too distracting in the beginning, go without. When you’re ready, play calming classical music. YouTube and Spotify have a lot of wonderful ballet playlists to choose from.
If you play music, still practice 1-2 movements at a time. You can gradually add more to your dance sequence.
Take time to just move in a way that feels right to you with the music. Sometimes, if we are too focused on doing certain movements or progressions perfectly, we lose out on the fun of it. Moving freely can center your mind and body.
Choose footwear that works for you. There are many options. You can wear athletic shoes, thin ballet socks or non-skid socks — or even just go barefoot. Find what feels safe and sensory friendly for you.
Listen to your body. Drink water, incorporate stretching breaks and change your position as often as needed.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, use a grounding technique like tapping, deep breathing or meditation to help center yourself.

Dr. Irina Fedulow Plante is a licensed physical therapist and Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. She has been treating individuals with multiple sclerosis for several years at Kaiser Permanente and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), both in inpatient and outpatient settings. After moving to the Tahoe area, Irina started NeuroMamaTribe. This wellness and physical therapy platform aims to empower women living with MS through various life stages with an emphasis on hormonal changes, women’s health, navigating motherhood and menopause and holistic practices to optimize quality of life.

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