Introduction

This course is for those wanting to deliver singing for lung health sessions and is suitable for:

  • Music therapists
  • Singing teachers
  • Community choir leaders
  • Musically confident allied health professionals
    (e.g. occupational therapists, physiotherapists, respiratory nurse specialists, practice nurses).

It runs over 8 weeks online via Zoom.

The Team delivering this course includes an experienced music therapist, a vocal coach, respiratory physios and movement specialists. See our Team Page for more information.

Costs and course details are shown below (subject to update).

If you are interested, please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 41KB) and return it to us.

Core skills and competencies

Please note, these are the core skills and competencies required for the course:

  • Confidence in leading singing and musical facilitation for groups.
  • A core repertoire that can be taught by ear.
  • Able to deliver some simple physical, breathing and vocal warm up exercises.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of vocal and respiratory anatomy and physiology.
  • A personal practice that incorporates exercise, relaxation, movement or meditation.

If you have any questions about these or the course in general, please email Phoene Cave.

Training dates

We will be running this course again in Spring 2024

If you are interested in the Spring 2024 course, please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 41KB) and return it including the subject line Spring 2024 Training.

“

“Phoene and colleagues, what you have delivered... is phenomenal. Utterly unbelievable. Thank you, this has really been life changing for me”

Recent course feedback
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“It is hard actually to put in words how transformative this experience has been as a health care provider.”

Recent course feedback
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“Liked the balance of practical and theoretical, also the opportunity to reflect and engage between sessions”

Recent course feedback
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“I am so grateful to you and all at the Musical Breath for the amazing work that you do. I have been a respiratory nurse for 16 years. I have literally been 'blown away' by the power of singing for lung health."

Recent course feedback
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“Packed with in-depth content; friendly accessible trainers! Delivery enthusiastic, motivating, generous..."

Recent course feedback

Costs

Organisations

£ 549

per person

IndividualsMost Popular

£ 499

per person

Concessions

£ 449

per personLimited number available.

What’s included

  1. 30 hours of content – 18 hours face-to-face training via Zoom over 8 weeks plus 8-12 hours home study.
  2. Comprehensive handouts.
  3. Invitation to a closed Facebook Group with over 200 other trained singing for lung health leaders.
  4. Invitation to Asthma Lung UK Singing for Lung Health network.
  5. Access to extensive resources of research, repertoire, and other documents via Dropbox.

Course content

Weekly content is as follows:

  • Week 1 / Module 1 – Introduction to Singing for Lung Health
  • Week 2 / Module 2 – Lung health and lung disease with Helen Owen
  • Week 3 / Module 3 –  The Still and Moving Body with Yael Flexer
  • Week 4 / Module 4 – Breathing Patterns with Charlotte Wells
  • Week 5 / Module 5 – The Singing Voice with Liz Swain
  • Week 6 / Module 6a – Delivery and Content, Part
  • Week 7 / Module 6b – Delivery and Content, Part 2
  • Week 8 / Module 7 – Q&A

What you will learn

Module 1: Introduction to Singing for Lung Health

Aim

To give an overview to the context, background, research as well as content and delivery of singing as a tool for people with chronic lung conditions. Welcome to one another and the course modules. What do we bring and what we want to take away?

Outcomes

You will have a clear idea of where and when Singing for Lung Health began, its aims, objectives and outputs along with where it fits into the wider Arts in Health picture, including research and future plans.

Module 2: Lung Health and Lung Disease

Aim

To provide information on respiration and breathing mechanics and how these can be impacted by the pathology of a lung disease. To introduce how singing for lung health might support symptoms and management of breathlessness.

Outcomes

You will gain knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, plus pathology and symptom picture of different chronic lung conditions.   An experiential session of Singing for Lung Health will provide and understanding of how singing can support people with different respiratory conditions.

Module 3: The Still and Moving Body

“It is fruitless to try to change a breathing pattern until choices become available to a person in the way they stand and move” (Blackaby, P. 2018. Intelligent Yoga. Casita)

Aim

To provide an overview of somatic practice and the relationship between body and breath.

Outcomes

You will gain a greater self-awareness of your movement patterns and how they might impact on breathing patterns. You will understand importance of physical activity and expressive gesture. You will have a choice of activity to support both functional and creative movement. You will learn some creative physical warm-up’s to bring awareness to and promote better breathing.

Module 4: Breathing Patterns

“There is not one correct way to breathe, but there are common ways in which people restrict their breathing” (Farhi, D.1996. The Breathing Book. Holt)

Aim

To provide an overview of the inseparable relationship between body, breath, movement, voice and mind.

Outcomes

You will gain knowledge about whole body breathing, mapping and experiencing your own unique breathing pattern. You will gain knowledge and understanding of dysfunctional breathing patterns including hyperventilation and their relationship to physiology, psychology and pathology.

Module 5: The Singing Voice

Aim

To provide an overview of how the voice works and optimum singing and breathing techniques to support someone with a chronic lung condition.

Outcomes

You will have a basic knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism and a practical understanding of the most efficient breathing for singing. You will learn about some of the vocal issues affecting people with lung conditions plus a toolkit to work with ageing voices, people who have been intubated and/or struggle with dysphonia (voice hoarseness).

Module 6A and 6B: Singing for Lung Health Delivery and Content (2 sessions)

Aim

To workshop in small groups the delivery and content of the Singing for Lung Health programme.

Outcomes

How to work creatively and appropriately through music with physical, vocal and breathing warm-ups, sung repertoire and guided relaxation to support those with chronic lung conditions to manage breathlessness.
NB: This module will run over TWO sessions. Participants will be expected to participate practically and to co-lead sessions in break out rooms trying out different musical content.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Long Covid

Please note, this is NOT a specific training course for working with people with Long Covid.

However, we will discuss how the work might be adapted for those with Long Covid – something that we are learning about all the time and requires a considered approach.

Covid is a virus which can impact multiple body systems including respiratory, cardiac, renal, endocrine and neurological. Appropriate rehabilitation for people with Long Covid is being researched including using singing.

For the latest developments around Covid and singing, see our News and Resources.

2. Your experience

This course is aimed at those who want to deliver singing for lung health and who have relevant experience.

Please see the list of core skills and competencies above.

Cancellation and refund policy

Numbers will be capped at 20 people per course and a minimum of 14 are required to run course.

  • In the unlikely event that a minimum of 14 participants are not booked in for each course, it may be that you are requested to move to another block, or payment will be fully refunded.
  • Space is strictly limited to an absolute maximum of 20 participants per course on a first come first serve basis.
  • There are no plans to record sessions.
  • If for any reason you cancel, refunds will be made depending on the amount of notice given:
    • 30+ days notice of cancellation = 80% refund.
    • 14- 29 days notice of cancellation = 50% refund
    • 0-14 days notice of cancellation = no refund.