Week #25 ENERGIZING/INSPIRING MOVEMENT SONGS (PART 1)

Author

Lisa Peterson
June 16, 2025

Week #25

Energizing/Inspiring Movement Songs (Part 1)

This is week 25 of the year and we will be celebrating energizing/inspiring movement songs, by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.

The songs are:

  • Alexander’s Ragtime Band

  • Casey Jones

  • Chicago

  • Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

  • Funiculi, Funicula

  • I’m Gonna Sing

  • I’ve Got Peace Like a River

  • Lovesick Blues

  • Midnight Special

SING ALONG

Featured Song

I’M GONNA SING

“I’m Gonna Sing” is a song with origins as an African American spiritual. The song goes by several other names, including “When the Spirit Says Sing” or “You Gotta Sing. The song’s structure is repetitive and invites improvisation or creativity from the singer or singers to insert different actions such as sing, hum, jump, dance, laugh, etc. Give it a try and insert any action that matches your feeling!

  • Is this melody familiar to you?

  • Are the words familiar?

  • Did you find yourself humming along?

  • How did it affect you? Did your awareness change? Your breath? Your focus? Your mood?

  • Would you feel comfortable playing this in the background and allow yourself to hum or sing along? By yourself and/or with the one(s) you care for?

I’m Gonna Sing is not typically associated with one specific “famous” singer or group. Instead it is often featured in choir settings, as it's a well-loved and widely performed piece. Here is a fun rendition of the song that I hope you enjoy!

Creative Ideas

HOW TO USE THE MUSIC

  • Try humming or singing along with the provided recording, or one of your choosing for increased feeling of ______.

  • Listen to a recording to create a shared experience.

  • Listen while engaged in daily routines, to add a feeling of familiarity and comfort (if the song is known and loved)

  • Try reminiscing with the song history, or singers of the song. Look at pictures famous singers who performed the song.

SELF-CARE TIPS

Our theme this week is movement. So, I thought a great tip for self-care could be (you guessed it!) movement. Have you ever thought to yourself that you don’t have time to exercise? I know that I have. How about getting some exercise while you are caregiving? And let’s make it fun. Here are our 9 songs for this week. Just click each title to hear a danceable rendition of the song. Some of the videos include some dancing that can inspire you too! Tapping and swaying are perfect too. These are things you can do while caregiving, even encouraging the one(s) you care for to join in.

If you decide to try doing some movement while caregiving, share your story! at  [email protected] 

CAREGIVING TIPS

Try playing Trivia with the songs from this week! The Trivia questions are below and on this pdf file. It includes the question and the answer. Just read the questions and attempt to answer the questions. You can offer a physical prize (food or drink treat, hand lotion, tissues, etc) or a celebration with cheers and a hug. Have fun!

Why play Trivia?

  • it’s a fun distraction from daily routines

  • it might trigger memories

  • it is a great way to use the songs for the week

  • it could stimulate singing or humming or dancing, which creates feelings of connection and safety

  • it often brings smiles, laughter and celebration!

Page 1

What you need:

  • Recordings of the songs (from these youtube or soundcloud links or the ones above) to inspire you!

  • Willingness to have fun

  • Prizes ready (food or drink treat, lotion, tissues, card, flowers, hugs, words of celebration, etc.) for completing the Trivia Game

  • Printed out Trivia (optional)

  • Allow 10-20 minutes to play, including time to reminisce

  • Invite others to join you

Page 2

DID YOU KNOW?

Dancing for as little as 5-10 minutes can decrease your stress!?

Dancing triggers a:

  • Release of endorphins: Dancing, like other forms of exercise, releases endorphins, which are the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals that act as mood elevators and can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

  • Reduction of cortisol levels: While exercise temporarily raises cortisol levels, regular physical activity can help lower baseline cortisol levels over time, allowing your body to better handle stressful situations.

  • Improved sleep: Exercise promotes better sleep quality by helping regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, and good sleep is essential for stress reduction.

  • Mindfulness and mental clarity: Dancing can help you focus on your body's movements and breathing, pulling your attention away from worries and promoting a sense of calmness and clarity.

  • Emotional release: Dancing provides a way to express and release pent-up emotions and physical tension, helping to manage stress and anxiety.

  • Social connection (if dancing with others): Dancing with others can foster a sense of community, belonging, and connection, which can be beneficial for managing stress and anxiety. 

Try putting on some music and dancing along for at least 5-10 minutes. Let us know how you feel as a result at [email protected]

Story

Many years ago, I witnessed something close to a miracle…

Back in the 90’s I was working as a music therapist for a company called CCC Music Therapy in Austin, TX (which is now the Center for Music Therapy, founded by Hope Young). I was facilitating groups with a licensed LMSW Social Worker in older adult facilities that served people with mental health disorders. The work was very rewarding and I was learning so much everyday from the seniors, the social worker and the music.

In one of the facilities, we had a participant who attended in a wheelchair, never spoke, and did not move on his own very much. He would watch the group, but did not participate. After about 6 months of these consistent behaviors of watching, not talking, not singing, not doing the movements, and seeming to not respond very much to the music or the group process, this gentlemen did something that I consider a miracle.

He leaned over to me, mid-song, while I was playing San Antonio Rose,

and asked

me

to

dance!

I, of course, said yes! I signaled to the social worker to call over a staff member for safety precautions. Luckily, I play the accordion and I could continue the song with my left hand, while I held his hand with my right. Time stood still while we danced, smiled and felt the importance of this moment for this man. Over those 6 months, we built up enough trust that he could open up and share himself with us in ways that the facility had not even seen. The staff did not know that he could walk, let alone dance.

Music has the power to move us. To move us to do things that we did not know we were capable of. I am so grateful for this experience so early in my career. I continue to witness beautiful, inspiring moments. But that day was extra special for sure!

Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter. I hope you found at least one tip or inspiration that will bring more joy to your caregiving. 😄

In the music, 
Lisa Peterson
🎵