Breathe Music
  • Welcome
  • Mary Anne Gayford
  • Music Therapy
  • Harp teaching
  • Singing for Lung Health classes
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Singing for Lung Health

In 2015 the British Lung Foundation launched its Singing for Lung Health programme throughout the UK. As part of the scheme, music therapist Mary Anne attended the singing leaders training programme to deliver a pilot project of singing sessions in Colchester for people with lung disease such as COPD, asthma, and other lung conditions. Following the success of this pilot, she established Breathe Music to expand the classes and music therapy across East Anglia. She is always looking for new members with a lung condition to join and experience the health benefits of singing.

What to expect...? Build stamina, breathe better, and have fun!

Learn to manage the symptoms of your lung condition through access to the health benefits of singing including: improved posture; increased breath control and extended out-breath; strengthened speaking voice; and the feelings of well-being from group singing in a sociable, accepting environment.

Practicing singing exercises regularly builds stamina and maintains a sense of control over breathing which can reduce feelings of breathlessness and anxiety.
People suffering from lung problems  may not have access to breathing exercise classes or the opportunity to sing in a group. Do come and join us at one of  our weekly singing classes!

​We cover posture, breathing patterns, body warm-ups, vocal warm-ups, and songs of all sorts, suitable for men and women's voices. 

No prior singing experience is required. Bring your partner/friend/carer to sing too! Make friends and learn new music and good breathing habits. 

Research 

Please find the links to studies into the benefits of singing for improved lung health:
Lord VM et al. Singing teaching as a therapy for chronic respiratory disease--a randomised controlled trial and qualitative evaluation. BMC Pulm Med. 2010;10:41 and Lord VM et al. Singing classes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pulm Med. 2012;12(1):69 bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2466-10-41
McNamara RJ, Epsley C, Coren E, McKeough ZJ. Singing for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD012296. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012296www.cochrane.org/CD012296/AIRWAYS_singing-adults-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd
Morrison I, Clift S. A UK feasibility study on the value of singing for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). UNESCO Observatory Multi-Disciplinary Journal in the Arts. 2013;3(3):1-19.003_morrison_paper.pdf
​sidneydehaan.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/guys-and-st-thomas-charity-announce-partnership-with-sdh-centre-on-singing-and-copd-project/

Press

Read more about our 12 week Singing for Lung Health course at Colchester General Hospital:
​
www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/14810909.Forget_singing_for_your_supper___
​this_is_singing_for_your_health/
Read more about our community Singing for Lung Health group in Colchester:
​www.blf.org.uk/your-stories/singing-makes-me-
​feel-better
​​
For more information about the benefits of Singing for Lung Health, visit: 
​https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/singing-for-lung-health/improve-your-breathing
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  • Welcome
  • Mary Anne Gayford
  • Music Therapy
  • Harp teaching
  • Singing for Lung Health classes
  • Case Study Group
  • Contact