[For older adults] Music recreation that helps boost mood and improve health

step exercise

[Beginners Welcome] Introductory Step Exercise Anyone Can Do

By stepping in time with the music, this routine makes it enjoyable to train the action of lifting your feet.

In addition to marching in place, adding steps in various directions helps you become more aware of hip and knee movements.

Another important point is to set a wide step platform in front of you; by incorporating movements that go up onto it, you can effectively strengthen your pushing-off power.

As you practice while thinking through more complex step patterns and let your body get used to them, this training can also lead to smoother walking.

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kappamaki

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Soran-bushi exercise

Soran-bushi exercise

Many older adults may be familiar with the Soran Bushi, don’t you think? I’ve heard it’s sometimes performed at school sports days.

Just hearing the rhythm and calls of Soran Bushi can make you feel energized.

Let’s try some exercises to the spirited rhythm of Soran Bushi.

Move your body by extending your hands forward or raising them overhead like a banzai cheer.

It can be done while seated, so many older adults should be able to take part.

If it’s a song they know, older adults will likely enjoy doing the exercises comfortably.

Lively A-I-U-Be exercises

AIUBE Pop’n Roll

Let’s try the “Ai-U-Be” mouth exercise to the upbeat, rock-style sounds of lively drums and guitar.

In this exercise, you open your mouth wide to “A,” “I,” and “U,” and then stick out your tongue for “Be.” It’s said to help prevent cavities, encourage nasal breathing, and support overall well-being.

Doing the routine with a rock-inspired melody and vocals can also help you blow off some steam.

You can even adapt it by adding hand claps or combining it with movements like raising your arms.

It’s recommended not only for senior care facilities but also at home with your grandchildren.

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Nakajima Junko

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Melody change rec

[Singing Recreation] I Tried Singing “Donguri Korokoro” to the Tune of “Aa, Jinsei ni Namida Ari”

Let’s try making parody versions using songs that older adults are familiar with, such as nursery rhymes and TV drama theme songs.

Singing the lyrics of a different song to a familiar melody can really liven things up.

The key point here is to choose songs that older adults know well.

If you pick songs that aren’t widely known, their motivation to sing may drop, so please be careful.

With parodies, even if you make some mistakes in the lyrics or go off pitch a little, it can turn into laughter.

It also helps stabilize emotions and relieve stress, so we hope you’ll enjoy singing.

Consciously singing different lyrics to a familiar tune stimulates the brain and supports activation.

Please give it a try.

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Nakajima Junko

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Song to sing at the end of the gathering

Big Laugh Recreation: If You're Happy and You Know It [Light Exercise for Brain Training and Elderly Care Prevention]

We’d like to introduce an exercise routine to do at the end of events and recreational activities.

By doing the same exercise to the same song each time, participants can recognize that “the session has ended.” If you choose a song that is familiar to older adults, it will likely be easier for them to join in.

It’s said that exercising while singing can have brain-training benefits.

Performing simultaneous movements is also expected to activate the brain efficiently.

You might consider adding playful variations to the routine to create fun, laughter-filled movements.

Be sure to select songs that older adults are familiar with.

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Nakajima Junko

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Northern Country Spring Exercises

Northern Country Spring Exercises

We would like to introduce an exercise set to the classic song “Kitaguni no Haru,” which most older adults are likely familiar with.

March in place during the intro, then raise and lower your hands, do open-and-close (grip-and-release) movements, and tap your hands, shoulders, and knees.

There are also twisting motions for the neck and torso, so be careful not to overexert yourself.

It’s a good idea to review the movements beforehand if it’s your first time.

When doing this as a recreation activity at a senior facility, giving prompts such as “Next is marching in place,” each time will make it more enjoyable.

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kojifumi

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Aiube exercises while singing

AIUEBE mouth exercise (Aoba Family Dental version)

Here is an introduction to the “Ai-U-Be Exercise,” which comes with lyrics and hand movements.

The Ai-U-Be Exercise is designed to improve breathing from mouth breathing to nasal breathing.

You can do it while seated and practically anywhere, so many senior care facilities may have adopted it.

By switching to nasal breathing, germs can be trapped in the nose, and moistened air can be sent into the body.

Repeating a set—such as 10 repetitions—several times helps strengthen the tongue and enables the mouth to stay closed.

For older adults, an exercise that includes simple lyrics and hand choreography makes it easier to try several times to music.

The movements can be done while seated, helping to move the body and promote overall blood circulation.

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Nakajima Junko

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