[For Seniors] Simple Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines
One of the things we should pay attention to in caregiving settings is dementia prevention.
To keep the brain healthy, physical activity is important.
Some of you may be wondering if there are any recreational activities that allow older adults—who often spend long periods sitting—to move their bodies while having fun.
In this article, we introduce recommended songs for rhythm exercises! Because there are many nostalgic classics, older adults are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of this as a recreation activity that can be enjoyed with lots of smiles!
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Have Fun and Relieve Stress! Introducing Dances Everyone Can Enjoy Together
- For People in Their 90s: Dance Tracks and Exercise Songs That Make Moving Your Body Fun!
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- Also great for dementia care! Recommended dance songs for people in their 70s: Let’s dance to those classic hits
- With upbeat rhythm routines! Music therapy for seniors
- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
- Ranking of popular songs for senior citizens
- [For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- [Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
- [Recommended for seniors] Rejuvenating Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise
[For Seniors] Easy Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines (1–10)
Lively Exercise: Rhythm Gymnastics to Music
We’re introducing “Lively Exercise,” a rhythmic workout done to music.
You can do it seated, and it also helps with breathing and brain training, so please take it slowly and within a comfortable range.
The movement of tapping your knees and raising both hands overhead stretches your upper body from the underarms, so try it in time with the rhythm.
Overall, the movements are simple and easy to imitate.
Let’s keep moving by copying along with the rhythm.
Imitating movements—watching, remembering, understanding, and expressing them—also helps activate the brain.
Enjoy exercising while having fun!
Soran Bushi
Even the interjections of “hai-hai” that pop up mid-song make Soran Bushi fun.
Do you know which prefecture’s folk song it is? It actually originated in Hokkaido.
I’ve heard it began as a work song to synchronize movements during herring fishing.
It’s said to have four sections, such as “Boat-Rowing Ondo” and “Child-Drumming Ondo,” which makes it quite grand in scope.
In Hokkaido, some schools even dance Soran Bushi at their sports festivals, so it’s a perfect piece for exercise or dance! Try moving your body with choreography you create freely—whether in a Bon Odori style or an exercise style.
Hibari Misora MedleyMisora Hibari
Hibari Misora, the original diva who kept singing throughout the tumultuous Showa era.
What’s your favorite Hibari song? There’s no way to pick just one—from “Kanashiki Kuchibue” and “Tokyo Kid,” which supported the hearts of Japanese people after the war, to “Ringo Oiwake” and “Omatsuri Mambo,” which captivated the early days of television, her peak-era hits like “Yawara” and “Kanashii Sake,” and her late masterpiece “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni.” So how about moving your body to a Hibari medley instead? Video sites even have clips that teach simple choreography.
I hope you can spend a delightful time along with your memories!
[For Seniors] Easy Rhythm Exercises: Introducing Recommended Songs and Routines (11–20)
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
If you want to hum along or work out while vocalizing, Kiyoshi no Zundoko Bushi is a great pick.
Released in 2001 by Kiyoshi Hikawa, it’s widely known as one of his signature songs.
Its biggest hallmark is the catchy chorus, along with the calls and handclaps that go with it.
Incorporating handclaps into the rhythm exercise and speaking or singing as you move can make the workout even more fun.
Let’s get moving and have a lively, energetic time together!
Summer children’s songs – sing-and-dance medley
I hear there’s an unprecedented haiku boom now, thanks to coverage on variety shows.
Composing the emotions of each season into 5-7-5—this is a hobby unique to Japan, a country with four distinct seasons.
So, how about doing rhythmic exercises to music related to each season? In spring, use spring hits; in summer, return to childhood with summer children’s songs; in winter, listen to songs filled with winter memories… Even a simple workout would take on a refined, tasteful flair.
If you know the songs, be sure to sing along while you exercise!
12th graderFunaki Kazuo
This is an exercise routine set to “Koko Sanensei,” the debut song by Kazuo Funaki.
For older adults, it’s a nostalgic tune that brings back memories of their youth.
The lyrics are filled with vignettes from high school life.
This routine can be done while seated, making it gentle on both the body and mind of older participants.
It involves moving the legs and arms, occasionally swaying the body, and incorporating steps like the triangle step.
Enjoy the music and give it a try.
Apple Song Exercise
While singing “The Apple Song” (Ringo no Uta), which is remembered as the first hit song after the war, this activity involves moving the body slowly.
The song has a uniquely calm atmosphere, so it gives the impression that you can move at an unhurried pace.
The movements mainly focus on the upper body, but by adding steps and singing, you can also stimulate brain activity.
Even if you’ve heard the song before, you might not remember the lyrics perfectly, so in that case, following along with the lyrics also adds a focus and concentration element.
