As part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, News 12 is introducing you to the Dance for PD Program in Brooklyn. 

Classes started nearly 20 years ago when there wasn’t much research about Parkinson's disease. Since then, the dance school Mark Morris Dance Group has learned more about the advantages of its program. 

When classes at the Lafayette Avenue building were all moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic, staff say they quickly learned how essential they were. 

All of the students live with Parkinson’s disease, a chronic neurodegenerative condition that can affect balance, slowness of movement and cause rigidity. 

The online classes have attracted students from across the world, including India and South Africa. 

In response to the demand, the organization says it will still offer that format even when in-person learning returns.