{"id":72307,"date":"2026-03-26T11:36:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T02:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/?p=72307"},"modified":"2026-04-13T17:57:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T08:57:05","slug":"%e7%99%bd%e7%9f%b3%e4%ba%9c%e5%b8%8c%e3%81%95%e3%82%93%e3%81%ae%e4%bd%93%e6%93%8d%e6%95%99%e5%ae%a4%ef%bc%9a%e7%ac%91%e9%a1%94%e3%81%a8%e6%b1%97%e3%81%a8%e3%80%8120%e5%88%86%e3%81%ae%e5%a5%87%e8%b7%a1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/en\/72307\/","title":{"rendered":"Aki Shiraishi's Gymnastics Class: Smiles, Sweat, and a 20-Minute Miracle. The Activities of the Community Revitalization Cooperation Team Shine at Group Home Hekisui."},"content":{"rendered":"

Thursday, March 26, 2026<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, March 25th, a gymnastics class was held at the group home Hekisui, operated by the specified non-profit organization Respect, led by Aki Shiraishi, a member of the Hokuryu Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. Laughter filled the air as participants enjoyed a full-body workout using soft balls, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the 20-minute session. To continue living their daily lives independently, Ms. Shiraishi's gentle and warm words brought smiles and energy to everyone.<\/div>\n

20 minutes filled with laughter<\/h2>\n

On Wednesday, March 25th, a gymnastics class was held at the group home Hekisui, operated by the specified non-profit organization Respect, with instruction from Aki Shiraishi, a member of the Hokuryu Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team.<\/p>\n

\"Specified<\/a>
Specified Nonprofit Organization Respect Group Home Hekisui<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Aki<\/a>
Aki Shiraishi (Hokuryu Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Member, 2nd year)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The group home, Aomizu, is divided into Building A and Building B, and approximately 20 minutes of exercise were conducted in each building. Seven residents participated in Building A, and eight residents participated in Building B.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Aki Shiraishi's energetic personality, everyone enjoyed the exercises in a cheerful and fun atmosphere. It was a full-body workout that made everyone break a light sweat. The 20 minutes flew by in no time.<\/p>\n

Full-body exercises using a ball<\/h2>\n

The exercises mainly involve using soft balls and are simple movements that engage the muscles of the entire body using the arms and legs. You will sit in a chair and move your whole body slowly and gently without straining yourself.<\/p>\n

Gripping, pulling, pushing, pinching, lifting. Transforming everyday movements into exercise, this program engages the entire body, from hand grip strength to the muscles of the chest, back, abdomen, and legs.<\/p>\n

"Gripping and squeezing the ball tightly," "stretching your armpits to reach high places," "lifting both legs using your abdominal muscles"\u2014each of these movements has meaning in supporting our daily lives.<\/p>\n

\"Gymnastics<\/a>
Gymnastics using a ball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Massage<\/a>
Massage your back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Side<\/a>
Side muscle stretching exercise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

"Let's have a competition for lunch!"<\/h3>\n

Laughter is an essential element in gymnastics classes.<\/p>\n

"If I win, I'll take all of your lunch!" Shiraishi declared, and a game began where everyone had to hold onto a ball between their feet for 10 seconds without dropping it. Everyone put all their strength into keeping the ball. "You all win! You're lucky your lunches weren't taken away," said Shiraishi. Laughter echoed throughout the home stadium.<\/p>\n

There were also moments where they threw and caught a ball like in dodgeball. Every time Shiraishi-san exclaimed, "You're all so good! Amazing!", smiles spread across everyone's faces. They also incorporated a finger-counting challenge as a mental exercise, getting both their bodies and minds moving.<\/p>\n

\"Ball<\/a>
Ball catching exercise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Put<\/a>
Put pressure on your fingers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Strengthen<\/a>
Strengthen your thigh muscles!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Let's<\/a>
Let's compete for lunch!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To protect everyday movements<\/h2>\n

"I focus on strengthening the muscles needed for everyday movements so that I can live my daily life as independently as possible, such as being able to get out of bed smoothly or reach high places," Shiraishi says with a smile.<\/p>\n

Exercises such as pushing a ball against your back to correct your posture, squeezing a ball between your legs to strengthen your inner thighs, and lifting a ball with both feet to strengthen your abdominal muscles\u2014each of these seemingly simple movements contributes to an independent lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Finally, Shiraishi encouraged everyone to take a deep breath to regulate their breathing, saying, "You all got a lot of exercise today. Enjoy a delicious meal and get some good rest." With these warm words, the gymnastics class came to a close.<\/p>\n

\"Take<\/a>
Take one last deep breath!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Building<\/a>
Building B's philosophy: "Thoughts, feelings, mutual love."<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who is Aki Shiraishi?<\/h2>\n

Aki Shiraishi was born in Hokuryu Town. After attending Hokuryu Junior High School and Asahikawa Commercial High School, she went on to Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education (Kunitachi City, Tokyo). She dedicated herself to table tennis until university, and participated in the Inter-High School Championships and the Intercollegiate Championships. After graduation, she worked as an instructor at a gym in the Tokyo metropolitan area.<\/p>\n

In May 2025, I took up my second position as a member of the Hokuryu Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. Currently, I am based at the town's Rural Environment Improvement Center and am developing a wide range of exercise support activities for local residents and children.<\/p>\n

Shiraishi's Main Activity Schedule<\/h3>\n