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

Singing and exercise medley of summer children’s songs

Summer Children's Songs [Singing & Exercise Medley: 8 Picks] Full-Body Rhythm Exercises for Seniors That Can Be Done While Seated

As an indoor exercise activity, seated calisthenics are a classic choice.

Even while sitting, you can move your body well and refresh your mood, so give it a try and dance along.

You can use any music you like, but if you want something widely recognized that everyone can hum to, summer children’s songs are recommended.

There are plenty of summer-themed nursery songs such as “Kamome no Suiheisan” (Seagull Sailor), “Fujinoyama” (Mount Fuji), and “Ware wa Umi no Ko” (Child of the Sea), so pick some popular tunes.

Loosen up your body by spreading your arms and marching your feet to the rhythm!

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sasashina

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Patakara Exercise Song

Patakara Exercise Song

This is an exercise where you say “pa-ta-ka-ra” in time with the Patakara Exercise Song to train the muscles around the mouth.

By vocalizing “pa-ta-ka-ra,” you can expect various benefits such as maintaining and improving chewing and swallowing strength, promoting saliva secretion, and stabilizing pronunciation.

Doing it especially before meals prepares your mouth and increases the effectiveness in preventing aspiration.

Continuing the exercise enhances its benefits.

Try to do it at least once a day, preferably before meals.

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kojifumi

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Hanagasa Ondo, a dance performed with fans in hand

One-Hand Dance 🌟 Remake of “Hanagasa Ondo” — Dance beautifully with one hand. Prepare a fan (uchiwa).

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is held in Yamagata during the summer.

As one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region, it reportedly attracts about one million visitors from inside and outside the prefecture.

Dancers don hanagasa hats and perform along to the song “Hanagasa Ondo.” Why not try bringing this summer festival from Yamagata Prefecture into senior care facilities as well? You can substitute the hanagasa with a uchiwa fan for the dance.

Using a fan allows you to express movements that look graceful and elegant with either one hand or both.

The dance can be done while seated, and its gentle motions are likely to bring smiles to the faces of older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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Care prevention exercises to the tune of Kiyoshi’s Zundoko-bushi

Zundoko-bushi Exercises

These days, Kiyoshi Hikawa has been showcasing new sides of his charm to the public.

I imagine there are fans of Kiyoshi Hikawa among older adults as well.

And when it comes to his hit songs, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” comes to mind, doesn’t it? It’s a tune known across many generations.

Let’s move our bodies to “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi.” The key to exercise is consistency.

If the workout uses a song familiar to older adults, it might be easier to keep it up while having fun.

By all means, try singing along as you do the exercises.

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Nakajima Junko

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Showa Era Classic Song Rhythm Exercises

[Limited-time streaming until March 31, 2026] Gentle exercises for seniors [5 selected song-exercises] Rhythm exercises to classic Showa-era hits that can be done while seated

When it’s too hot to go outside, why not have fun moving your body indoors? What we’re introducing is rhythm exercises danced to classic Showa-era hits.

They’re basically done seated, so even those who find it difficult to dance standing can enjoy them.

Because many of the moves involve large upper-body motions, be sure to leave enough space between chairs when doing this with multiple people, such as in a facility activity.

Depending on the song, wearing a happi coat or dancing with a folding fan can help you enjoy the atmosphere of the music, so it’s recommended.

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sasashina

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Summer children’s songs – sing-and-dance medley

Summer Children's Songs [Singing & Exercise Medley Vol. 1: 5 Picks] Rhythm Exercises for a Full-Body Workout You Can Do While Seated

Let’s try doing sing-along exercises with summer children’s songs like “Hamabe no Uta,” “Natsu wa Kinu,” and “Ware wa Umi no Ko.” Many older adults may have sung these songs during their school days or with their own children, don’t you think? Exercises based on familiar songs may be easier for seniors to take part in.

Accompanied by music, we’ll do movements such as raising arms and legs while seated in a chair, as well as clapping along.

Singing together while exercising can also be a refreshing change of pace for older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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Brain training exercises of see-not, speak-not, hear-not

Brain-training exercises that spark laughter: recreational activities seniors enjoy, and health exercises.

Let me introduce a brain-training exercise that moves your body and stimulates your mind: the “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” workout.

For “see no evil,” cover your eyes with both hands.

For “hear no evil,” cover your ears with both hands.

For “speak no evil,” cover your mouth with both hands.

When you hear the staff member’s cue, decide which pose it is and move your hands to make that pose.

It can train your reaction speed and thinking skills, and it might even encourage more communication.

Even if you make mistakes, keep it lighthearted—relax and enjoy the exercise!

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mayumi

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