Applications for the Spring 2025 Training are open.
If you are interested, please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 41KB) and return it to us.
Dates and further details will be announced soon.
Applications for the Spring 2025 Training are open.
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 in taking the Course in the future, 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
The Spring 2025 course time and dates are to be confirmed.
A full list will be posted here when they are available.
For details of module content see Course Content, please see below.
Costs
Organisations / Funded
£ 549
per personIndividualsMost Popular
£ 499
per personConcessions
£ 449
per personLimited number available.What’s included
- 30 hours of content – 18 hours face-to-face training via Zoom over 8 weeks plus 8-12 hours home study.
- Comprehensive handouts.
- Invitation to a closed Facebook Group with over 200 other trained singing for lung health leaders.
- Invitation to Asthma Lung UK Singing for Lung Health network.
- Access to extensive resources of research, repertoire, and other documents via Dropbox.
Deposit
Please note there is a £49 deposit to pay to secure a place on the training.
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
- Week 3 / Module 3 – Breathing Patterns
- Week 4 / Module 4 – The Still and Moving Body
- Week 5 / Module 5 – The Singing Voice
- Week 6 / Module 6a – Delivery and Content, Part 1
- 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: 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 4: 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 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.
Module 7: Q&A
The closing session offers opportunities to:
- Hear from people with chronic lung conditions about their experiences of attending singing for lung health groups.
- Have an extended group discussion around any key topics.
- Generally clarify any issues and ask questions.
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 25 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 25 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.
