Virtual Art Therapy, Meditation, and Improv Classes for Parkinson's Disease
Many people coping with Parkinson's disease are aware of classes for physical exercise, fall prevention, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. This page shares details for online, non-traditional classes, such as art therapy, meditation, improv, and cognitive games. We have listed below programs organized by the Parkinson's community or PD organizations. There are many more programs that are not coordinated for those with Parkinson's. You might ask at your local senior center.
See also our lists of virtual singing classes and virtual physical exercise classes.
If you are in Northern California, see our lists of in-person PD exercise classes.
Art Therapy
Craft and Chat
By Brian Grant Foundation (Portland, OR)
Cost: Free
Class: Crafting on Zoom
Class Time (PT):
- 4th Thursday, 4-5pm
Email or Register online. Drop-ins welcome.
Silver Kite Art Series
By Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (Seattle, WA)
Cost: Free
Class: Watercolor painting on Zoom
Class Time (PT):
- Wednesdays, 1-2pm
Zentangle
By Hartford Healthcare (Hartford, CT)
Cost: Free
Class: Create abstract art through structured patterns for relaxation
Class Times (PT):
- Some weekdays, 3:30-6pm
- 2nd Sunday, 10am-1pm
- 3rd or 4th Saturday, 10am-1pm
Communication and Cognition
Morning Wakeup Call
By Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (Seattle, WA)
Cost: Free
Class: Breath, voice, speech, and cognitive exercise
Class Time (PT):
- Mondays, 9am
Improv Therapy
Jam for Joy
By Yes, And Exercise! (Walnut Creek, CA)
Cost: Free, donations appreciated if you enjoy the class
Class: Improv (cognitive exercise)
Class Times (PT):
- Tuesday: 10am
- Thursday: 4pm
Contact: Robert Cochrane, 702-575-8841
Mime Over Mind
By Parkinson Society of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)
Cost: Free
Class: Mindfulness, movement, and self-expression drawing from the art of mime
Class Times (PT):
- Tuesday: 12:30-1:30pm
Offered in six-week sessions with breaks between. Space is limited.
NSP Vocal Technique Bootcamp: Bring the Mature Voice to Peak Performance
By NextStage Productions (Santa Cruz/Capitola, CA)
Cost: varies by class, $30-45 per class
Class: Acting, Singing, Dance, Improvisation
Class Times (PT):
- 2025 program completed
- Check website schedule for future classes and registration
Contact: Risa Lower, 408-357-0640.
Shakespeare for Parkinson's
By Shakespeare for Parkinson's (New York, NY)
Cost: Free
Class: Combines the Bard’s poetry and scenes from his plays with movements designed to activate all the muscles of the body, strengthen the voice and speech, stimulate the imagination and improve memory
Class Time (PT):
- Thursday: 10:30am-11:45pm
Journaling and Expressive Writing
Cinema Therapy
By Yes, And Exercise! (Walnut Creek, CA)
Cost: Varies, depending on program
Class: Writing
Class Time (PT):
- Varies, 4-week and 16-week curriculum available
Contact: Robert Cochrane, 702-575-8841.
Journaling Together
By Brian Grant Foundation (Portland, OR)
Cost: Free
Class: Respond to a writing prompt with time allowed, then later share your writing and discuss, if desired
Class Time (PT):
- 3rd Wednesday, 5-6pm
Email or Register online. Drop-ins welcome.
Creative Writing with Sivan
By Neuro Challenge (Sarasota, FL)
Cost: Free
Class: Explore poetry, selected writing forms and notable texts through in-class and take home exercises, receive constructive feedback
Class Time (PT):
- 1st Thursday, 11:30am-12:30pm
Caregivers welcome. Register online.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Breath by Breath
By Brian Grant Foundation (Portland, OR)
Cost: Free
Class: Mindfulness
Class Time (PT):
- Tuesday: 11:30am-12:30pm
For people with PD, caregivers, family members. Register online. Drop-ins welcome.
Mindfulness Focused Group
By Parkinson’s Resource Organization
Cost: Free
Class: Mindfulness
Class Time (PT):
- 3rd Tuesday: 2pm
Open to people with Parkinson’s, care partners and friends. Led by medical hypnotherapist Roger Moore, who will teach skills to improve sleep and overcome trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, fear, and exhaustion. Register online or call 877-775-4111.
Mindfulness Monday
By Parkinson’s Foundation
Cost: Free
Class: Mindfulness
Class Time (PT):
- Monday: 10am
For people with Parkinson’s, no prior experience is required. Register online. A playlist of recordings is also available.
Mindfulness with Moldauer
By Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (Seattle, WA)
Cost: Free
Class: Mindfulness
Class Time (PT):
- 1st and 3rd Monday: 3:30-4:30pm
Instructor: Linda Moldauer. Register online.
Music Therapy
The Harmonica Parkinson's Project
By Hawaii Parkinson Association
Cost: Free
Class: Harmonica Group Class
Class Time (PT):
- 2nd Tuesday, 2-2:45pm
At the meeting time, click the link to join.
Open to anyone with Parkinson’s and care partners. Participants will need a harmonica in the key of C. These can be found at music stores or on Amazon for around $12-15. Recommended for beginners: Fender Blues Deluxe or Hohner Blues Band. No musical background required.
Music Mends Minds
By Music Mends Minds (Los Angeles, CA)
Cost: Free
Class: Global online sing-along
Class Time (PT):
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:30am-12:30pm
At the meeting time, click the link to join.
Meeting ID: 465 113 7378.
Parkinson’s Sing-Along
By Parkinson Voice Project (Richardson, TX)
Cost: Free
Class: Live sing-along for people with PD
Class Time (PT):
- Thursday: 8:30-9:30am
At the meeting time, click the link to join. The most recent sing-along recording is posted on the PD sing-along webpage.
Taiko for Parkinson’s
By San Jose Taiko (San Jose, CA)
Cost: $10 drop-in per participant/class
Class: Drumming
Class Time (PT):
- Tuesdays, 10-11am
Zoom and in-person
For people with Parkinson’s and their care partners/family members, no experience needed. Contact (408) 293-9344 or email. Register on the class website.
Victory Drumming
By Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (Seattle, WA)
Cost: Free
Class: Drumming on Zoom
Class Time (PT):
- First three Fridays, 11am
Last updated November 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.