As a dance teacher, neo-Grazer Sandra Hopfner-Buchnitsky brought many ideas with her from her former homeland, the Netherlands. As part of the long Dementia Day, she leads a dance workshop for people living with the disease.
Cross. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about having fun and traveling through your own memories,” sums up the choreographer. Sandra Höpfner-Buchnitzki Her workshop, she conducted in part A long day of dementia Organized, together. Entitled “Dance of the Gray Cells”, the offering aims to give new joy in life to those affected by the disease through music, movement and rhythm.
“For people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, dance can stimulate cognitive functions and evoke positive emotions. Progress in dance creates new neural connections in the brain, which strengthens the flexibility of thought and feeling.”
Sandra Höpfner-BuchnitzkiDance teacher
Rhythm, Music, Improvisation
“We connect Smooth and rhythmic movements with music“It addresses memories and emotions,” says Höpfner-Buchnitzki, adding that the most important participants are encouraged to express their own creative impulses, where Sandra Höpfner-Buchnitzki participated. Cultural Institute She led a dance group for people with neurological disabilities such as dementia, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.
“In the Netherlands, art and health are often found in collaboration. I have seen how cultural institutions work successfully with organizations for people with dementia. It also allows people to improve their well-being through creative methods,” he says. Höpfner-Buchnitzki owes much of her health to dancing. “I had physical problems during my childhood, including scoliosis and pelvic tilt. My doctor advised my mother to enroll me in ballet to improve my posture and mobility. Therapeutic action started, and quickly grew into mine Great interest“, she reports. Now Höpfner-Buchnitzki wants to share dance as a health-promoting tool with others in her new home.
to Graz via the Netherlands
Originally from Germany, Sandra Hopfner-Buchnitzky completed her training as a dance teacher in Hannover, before her path took her to the Netherlands, where she studied. Fontys Tanzakademie deepened. The move to Cross happened almost a year ago, but the dance teacher, now known by the name “Libra is mobile“Self-employed and offers dance and pilates courses.
In addition to his offer for Long Dementia Day, he does this Pilot Project “Dance and Dementia” Together with the city of Cross. Höpfner-Buchnitzki offers its courses in four nursing homes. “It would be great if there was more from this, maybe even an opportunity to train others in the health sector in my field,” said the dance teacher, “and the positive effects would be accessible to more people. Loved it and wanted to share this experience with a wide and diverse target group.”
More information on Dementia’s Long Day 2024 can be found here:
A long day of dementia calls with a multidisciplinary program
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