Live Whole Health #131: The gift of music and movement

Close your eyes and picture yourself at a younger age. What kind of music did you like? Did you dance with your sweetheart and your friends? Or maybe you were just a foot tapping kind of person. Regardless, music is a gift that we can enjoy in so many ways.

The gift of music is that it speaks to the heart and the body. Even if you are not a dancer, you can still enjoy moving your body in gentle ways that will get your blood flowing and your muscles moving.

Gift yourself to get moving

Take a few minutes and enjoy songs such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Oakie from Muskogee,” and “Heart Aches by the Number” from the comfort of your chair or even your bed. Don’t just listen, though—move your body and get the blood flowing. We promise you will feel young again!

This Music and Movement exercise is an 18-minute video featuring Matthew G. Lloyd, a neurologic music therapist at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. Lloyd plays classic country music on his guitar while guiding the viewer through a series of warm-ups and a gentle set of exercises. This routine is designed for the core and improving lower body strength, endurance and motor control.

Moving the body is important—no matter how we do it. Some activities increase your stamina, while others improve your strength, flexibility or balance. Moving your body in these ways can improve your ability to do more of the things you want.

Physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and its health benefits far outweigh the risks. Even if you are out of shape, or have not been active in a long time, you can still be active safely. If you have a concern about a health condition, or if you have active symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, dizziness or joint pain, talk with your health care team about the types and amounts of activity that are best for you before starting.

Learn more: Be Physically Active – National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (va.gov).