The course would be suitable for:
This page covers:
Dates for spring 2023 to be announced.
We will announce dates for the spring 2023 in the next few weeks.
If you are interested, please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 37KB) and return it to us.
The Team delivering this course includes an experienced music therapist, a vocal coach, respiratory physios and a movement director. For more information, see the Team Page.
Costs and course details are shown below (subject to update).
The cost includes:
This is what the course will cover each week:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
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?
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.
“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)
To provide an overview of somatic practice and the relationship between body and breath.
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.
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.
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.
“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)
To provide an overview of the inseparable relationship between body, breath, movement, voice and mind.
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.
To provide an overview of how the voice works and optimum singing and breathing techniques to support someone with a chronic lung condition.
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).
To workshop in small groups the delivery and content of the Singing for Lung Health programme.
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.
Please note:
This is not a specific training course for working with people with Long Covid – though we will discuss how the work might be adapted for those with Long Covid, which we are learning about all the time.
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.
Numbers will be capped at 20 people per course and a minimum of 14 are required to run course.
