[For Seniors] Christmas Dance to Classic Songs That Will Get Everyone Excited, Plus Plenty of Seated Exercise Ideas
As Christmas approaches, it’s the season when preparations for fun events begin even at senior care facilities.
Dance and rhythmic exercises that move the body to music create wonderful moments that bring everyone together.
This time, we’ll introduce activities to liven up Christmas parties, such as movements you can enjoy while seated and dances using instruments like bells and maracas.
Each program is filled with seasonal music and designed to let participants move their bodies comfortably and enjoyably, so please use them as a reference.
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[For Seniors] Christmas dance to classic songs that everyone can enjoy. Plenty of seated exercise ideas, too (21–30)
Easy rhythm exercises for Jingle Bells
This is an exercise routine that uses choreography set to the music, producing sounds with bells and handclaps to highlight the joy of moving your body.
By letting the bells ring, participants can fully experience the world of “Jingle Bells.” A key point is which part of the body you strike to make the bell sound, and it’s recommended to add a brain-training effect by gradually making the combinations of hands and feet more complex so participants think about which movement comes next.
Focus less on speed and more on performing each movement accurately, and encourage large, expressive motions to get the body moving thoroughly.
Chair exercises set to classic Christmas songs
This is an exercise routine set to a classic tune you hear everywhere during the Christmas season.
While seated, you’ll focus on stepping movements to thoroughly strengthen your lower body.
Matching the gentle rhythm helps you pay attention to the size of each movement—another key point.
Once you’re comfortable with the lower-body motions, start engaging your upper body as well, such as swinging your arms in time with the steps.
You’ll not only feel the joy of the music throughout your whole body, but also build smoother, well-coordinated walking.
Elbow dance to a Christmas song
Introducing a dance that allows seniors who feel uncertain about their legs and lower back—and find full-body exercise or dancing difficult—to sit in a chair and reduce stress and burn calories mainly through elbow movements! Each individual movement isn’t very complex, but by adding leg motions and more, it also serves as a great workout for the brain.
When you actually try it, moving in time with the background music is surprisingly challenging, so it’s a good idea for staff and participants to practice together repeatedly.
And since this time the theme is Christmas, the background music has to be the classic Christmas anthem: “All I Want For Christmas Is You”!
Santa Is Coming to Town Exercise
This is an exercise routine set to the song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” which expresses the excitement of Santa coming to deliver presents.
While keeping a firm grasp of the rhythm, the movements portray the lyrics, so let’s proceed by singing along to help remember what comes next.
A key point is that, despite the song’s light feel, some of the choreography is slow, and it can easily be done while sitting in a chair.
Feel the world of the lyrics and use your movements to clearly express the adorable image of a child waiting for Santa.
Jingle Bell Exercise Dance
Many senior care facilities incorporate exercises performed while singing, don’t they? Doing exercises while singing can help maintain and even improve physical function.
In addition, singing is said to help relieve stress and may also help prevent dementia among older adults.
So why not try doing exercises to Christmas songs at your Christmas party? You can raise your arms and legs or march in place to match the lyrics.
If you make it a seated exercise, many seniors will be able to participate and enjoy a pleasant time together.
Care-prevention pole exercises
Let me introduce the “Preventive Care Stick Exercise,” a fun, gentle way to get moving at a Christmas party that can also help with cognitive health and stress relief! All you need is a stick that acts like a dumbbell and a chair.
If you don’t have a suitable stick, you can make one by rolling up newspapers; if you want more weight, try wrapping ankle weights around it.
Prepare Christmas-themed music like Jingle Bells as BGM, and work mainly on your arms and shoulders in time with the music.
If you’re using a homemade stick, decorating it with a Christmas look will make the workout even more fun!
Jingle Bell Exercises You Can Do While Seated
While listening to Christmas songs, let me introduce some exercises you can do while seated! Try swaying your body to the lively rhythm of “Jingle Bells.” It’s also fun to use instruments that make sounds, like bells.
In addition to big arm movements, try leaning your body forward and patting your legs.
Lifting your legs and moving them as if marching will increase the intensity.
It’s also a great idea to make it a “Christmas medley” and exercise to a variety of songs! Including a slower-tempo piece in the middle will help you relax.
