[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)
Sign language dance to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Many older adults likely spent Christmas with their children or grandchildren.
Some of you may even have memories of singing Christmas-themed nursery rhymes together.
Listening to or singing Christmas songs can fill people with excitement.
So why not try doing some exercises to familiar Christmas nursery songs for seniors? For example, try singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” with sign language.
By incorporating sign language, those who have difficulty hearing or speaking can enjoy it together.
It’s also said that moving your hands while singing helps stimulate the brain.
Jingle Bells with Everyone
The children’s song Jingle Bells is a Christmas staple that really heightens the excitement for the holiday, isn’t it? Let’s try a fun dance to go along with the song that brings everyone together as one.
Everyone forms a circle and holds hands, then moves forward by stepping to the rhythm.
If standing and moving lightly is difficult, we recommend sitting in chairs arranged in a circle and keeping the rhythm by waving your hands.
Since there are no complicated movements, just focus on getting into the groove of the music and enjoy.
[For Seniors] Lively Christmas Dances with Classic Songs: Plenty of Seated Exercise Ideas, Too (31–40)
Gymnastic dance to a Christmas song medley
As Christmas approaches, many senior care facilities plan Christmas parties.
Let’s move our bodies gently to a festive medley perfect for the season, such as “Hasty Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” It promotes circulation, helps you feel refreshed, and lets you enjoy exercising while experiencing the season.
It’s best to enjoy it in time with the rhythm and within a comfortable range.
Try incorporating it while adjusting to how you feel.
Singing and exercise with winter children’s songs
This program uses exercises set to various children’s songs that evoke winter, allowing you to feel the changing seasons.
Because the exercises are done while seated in a chair, you can proceed casually, but make sure to move your legs actively and connect that movement to a full-body workout.
Key points are to firmly grasp the rhythm of each song and to be mindful of combining movements as you use your body.
Doing the exercises while singing is also recommended, as it helps you better understand the world of the lyrics and makes it easier to grasp how to use your body.
Sit-down calisthenics Silent Night
This is a seated exercise performed to the classic Christmas song “Silent Night.” The tempo of the song is slow, so you can move your body in sync with it.
The basic movements involve large side-to-side motions of the whole body, so focus on stretching your arms and waist as you go.
Pay particular attention to fully extending when you move your right hand and left foot forward, and remember it’s important to move your entire body, not just your upper body.
Doing the exercise while singing is also recommended, as it helps train the muscles in your face!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Let’s get our bodies moving with choreography inspired by the classic Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Although this is an exercise you perform while seated, the choreography uses your legs as well as your upper body, so maintaining proper posture and doing warm-ups are important.
With simple movements like tapping your nose and spreading your arms and body wide to express joy, the simplicity lets you move big and loosen up your whole body.
Many of the moves reflect the lyrics, so you can focus on the song’s story, build excitement for Christmas, and train your whole body at the same time.
Jingle Bells with bells
This activity is about doing exercises to the classic Christmas song “Jingle Bells,” making movement more enjoyable by using bells.
The key is where to ring the bells: have participants ring them on various parts of the body and pay attention to combining different movements.
Include actions like stretching the legs and ringing the bell underneath them, so it works both as brain training and physical exercise at the same time.
Once everyone gets used to the movement combinations, increase the tempo or have them sing along to make the overall routine more complex and boost its effectiveness.