Pumped up to perform at Senior Idol

Sing for strength. That’s what a group of Turangi seniors is told every week.

Now, 12 aspiring choristers are preparing to perform at Senior Idol, which will be held at St Johns Wood Rest Home in Taupo on May 12.

Midlands Health exercise consultant Wendy Chrisp said the group discovered singing at the weekly Living Well exercise programme, which is attended by 25 people.

The programme is a partnership between Pihanga Health, Tuwharetoa Health, Midlands Health and St Johns Ambulance. Patients with chronic health needs are referred on to the class.

‘‘We started the class to focus on functional mobility exercises,’’ Chrisp said.

‘‘Rather than just physical of exercise, the programme involves memory retention, dexterity, and concentration.

‘‘It might be step-ups for one minute and get them puffing, then it’ll be working on a jigsaw for two minutes. They’ll move from a brisk walk to doing a Rubix cube – from throwing punches to playing knuckle bones.’’

Singing comes at the end of the class.

‘‘You get better breath control with singing,’’ Chrisp said.

The exercise group sing ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Pokarekare Ana’, and ‘Singing in the Rain’, as well as a new song each week.

‘‘The group all stand when they’re singing, so it’s good for postural strength too,’’ Chrisp said.

The Living Well programme is held at Turangi’s St Johns Ambulance hall, which is offered for use free of charge. The class started two years ago.

‘‘All started from a St Johns exercise officer saying, ‘a lot of our aging people are falling – Can we do ‘‘something to prevent them from falling so often’,’’ Chrisp said.

‘‘They’re often the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, as they say, but it has taken someone like that to realise we need a different approach,’’ she said.

‘‘Even though it comes under the auspices of an exercise class, it has become much more than that for these people.’’

The ‘‘Living Well Wailers’’ choir are hoping to win first prize at Senior Idol.

‘‘They want to win the $500 first prize so they can donate it to St Johns.’

ROBERT STEVEN/FAIRFAX NZ Eileen Bainbridge stretches for the ping pong ball at Turangi’s Living Well exercise programme.