Free Ballet For Breast Cancer Survivors Held In Port Washington

PORT WASHINGTON, NY—Free ballet classes are being offered in Port Washington for breast cancer survivors.

The class, titled "Ballet for Recuperation," serves as a means to help survivors with their struggles with neuropathy, which causes weakness, numbness and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. Floryn Glass Stock, the instructor, said on her Facebook page that ballet helps to reduce pain, regain balance, find joy and destress. No prior ballet experience is necessary.

A former student of Glass Stock's came up with the idea after she learned about the positive effects ballet had on neuropathy. She asked Glass Stock, a professional dancer and musical theater actress who has been teaching for 15 years, if she would instruct the class, to which the Port Washington native agreed.

"It's a really wonderful class," Glass Stock told Patch. "They are so happy to be there and it feels to me like the most important use of my talent, to help them."

The class runs on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. (June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31) and Sundays at 11 a.m. (June 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28). The Berest Dance Center at 12 S. Washington St. donates the space for all of the classes.

Glass Stock has done the class 12 times a year, each year, since 2014. She's aided by her student organizer, Christina Hanford, who took over for her sister, Grace Hanford. Morgan Grygiel is set to take over soon as the class' student organizer. The Manhasset Breast Cancer Coalition sponsors the class.

Anyone looking to join or receive updates on future classes can contact Christina Hanford at christina_hanford@hotmail.com.