Morning moves

Radio Taiso has been recently introduced to Shottermill House, our care home in Haslemere, and has been energising the whole community

Radio Taiso is a three-minute exercise routine using gentle, rhythmic movements to energise the body and improve circulation. It began in the United States in the 1920s as a public health initiative by Metropolitan Life Insurance, before being introduced to Japan in 1928. There, it became a much-loved daily ritual, broadcast on the radio and practised by people of all ages as a shared moment of movement.

At Shottermill House, Radio Taiso has become just that: a shared moment of joy, laughter and movement that has quickly become part of life for ‘family members’ (those who live with us) and staff.

“I first came across Radio Taiso in 2023,” says Anne Pegler, Registered Care Manager at Shottermill House. “I was looking at short exercises on my iPad and this came up, only three minutes, and it said it was good for the whole body.”

It was not until 2025, when Anne was due to travel to Japan for almost three weeks, that it came back into her life. “The Japanese are very organised and structured. Everywhere people do exercise. This three-minute Radio Taiso is built into their lifestyle, in the mornings, before work, in open spaces, it is part of their rhythm,” she says.

When she returned, Anne did not immediately think about it for the family members, but for the staff, as something to bring the team together. She shared it with Mike Beere, the Business Manager, and showed him how it worked.

“He was very taken with it and said, ‘Let’s start it today in the lounge with all the family members and staff.’ And so we did. We have done it every day since August last year, apart from Sundays because it interferes with church,” Anne recalls.

Mike adds, “At first, family members and staff were a little hesitant about Radio Taiso, but as it has continued, more people have joined in. It is great exercise for everyone, and it is just as enjoyable to watch staff taking part. It has really created team spirit and lots of laughter. Even visitors, from district nurses to social workers and the occasional operational manager, are encouraged to join in.”

“I chose 11:55 for the exercise because it wakes people up,” Anne says with a laugh. “It gives them a little activity before lunch, a bit of movement, and then they are ready for the next part of the day.”

At first, many family members watched with amusement. “They thought it was hilarious at the start,” Anne remembers. “But now I would say about a quarter of them join in every day.” The version they use has two options, one for standing and one for sitting, so everyone can take part.

The positive impact has been felt by family members themselves. Hilary, 83, shared her experience, saying, “They are fun and help me get moving. I always feel better afterwards.”

Anne also notes the commitment of regular participants. “We have even got one gentleman, Martin, who comes down especially just to do it every day. He will stand, do the exercises, then go back to his room. He really enjoys it.” Martin, 87, added, “They are really enjoyable, short exercises that help me stay fit. I would encourage anyone to give it a go.”

It is not just the physical movement that makes it special. “It is just so fun,” Anne says. “Everyone does it together, there is a clap on the thigh at the same time on some of the exercises, and there is one where you bend down and go around in a circle. It has created its own little language in the home. Lux always goes, ‘Hey, rolling, rolling,’ and everyone laughs. It is infectious.”

For Anne, activities like Radio Taiso are important in a care home environment because they help with so much more than just physical movement. "We’ve built in a lot of exercise here, gentle walks, corridor strolls,” she explains. “Radio Taiso helps with circulation, appetite, motivation, keeps joints working, and helps prevent falls. And we have definitely seen benefits. Some family members are now doing full movements with their arms. Part of that is confidence, they see staff doing it and join in too.”

Since Anne introduced Radio Taiso to the home, it has been spread to many of our other homes including Milward House, Tunbridge Wells.