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Sing for Breathing

The Problem

Chronic lung diseases currently affect more than 35 million people living in the U.S
The American Lung Association

Lung disease/dysfunction is qualified as any problem with the lungs that prevents them from working properly. Many of these conditions cause low blood oxygen levels, shortness of breath and fatigue, and contribute to other more significant health problems.

https://medlineplus.gov

How StarSong Music Can Help

SING for Breathing

          StarSong groups teach and reinforce diaphragmatic breathing. Repetition of this ‘singer’s breathing’ technique, both provided in sessions and encouraged for home use, promotes muscle memory of these retrained breathing habits. It also promotes better muscle tone of the chest, ribs, back and abdomen and can assist in increasing lung capacities. StarSong instruction and practice also enable participants to better regulate voluntary breath control in the face of breathing challenges and fear response. The program is designed with asthma, COPD and age-related breathing difficulty in mind. Leaders are also currently investigating its benefits for post COVID and Long COVID breathlessness.

How StarSong Music Can Help

SING for Breathing

StarSong groups teach and reinforce diaphragmatic breathing. Repetition of this ‘singer’s breathing’ technique, both provided in sessions and encouraged for home use, promotes muscle memory of these retrained breathing habits. It also promotes better muscle tone of the chest, ribs, back and abdomen and can assist in increasing lung capacities. StarSong instruction and practice also enable participants to better regulate voluntary breath control in the face of breathing challenges and fear response. The program is designed with asthma, COPD and age-related breathing difficulty in mind. Leaders are also currently investigating its benefits for post COVID and Long COVID breathlessness.

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“Breathing with the ‘singer’s breath’ teaches participants to breathe deeply, which combats the degradation of muscles in the chest and abdomen and assists with oxygen transfer throughout the body. The deep breathing needed by singers has recently been shown to aid those with lung illness and could benefit many with reduced lung function who would like to improve their breathing.”

From “Can singing have a beneficial effect on lung function and breathing for people with respiratory illness?”

“… singing has been life changing.  Studies show numerous benefits of singing for patients with various lung diseases. One of them is an increase in blood oxygen level saturation.”
Singing to Breathe – Uhnfoundation.ca
When asked whether singing has made a difference to their breathing, 27 of the 37 responding replied affirmatively …”

From “Community singing groups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: participant perspectives.”

“…a program that uses singing to help people with chronic respiratory conditions improve their breathing and quality of life. These programs can help people feel less breathless and use their blue inhalers less often.”
Singing for Lung Health
“Research has demonstrated group singing’s numerous psychosocial benefits and positive impacts on physical health, especially on lung function …. Participants reported decreases in levels of shortness of breath following singing.”
“New Life into Care Pathways for Individuals with Lung Health Challenges”
Breathlessness, respiratory infections and fatigue affect pulmonary function and daily living activities. Beneficial effects of lung capacity in terms of voice (A) and exhalation duration (S and counting numbers). A choral singing intervention could then be an alternative or a complement to pulmonary rehabilitation or could be a way of maintaining quality of life.
Singwell
For those who suffer from lung dysfunctions such as asthma, COPD, or chronic lung disability, research on the effectiveness of singing specifically for breathing improvement applicable to these conditions is ongoing.
 “Singing for Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),”

Testimonials

The thing(s) I appreciated most about the class…
-were that it was a safe place to sing out and there were fun songs for us to learn. (K.G.)
-was learning about breathing properly to use more of my lungs. Also, getting to know new people. (A.D.)
-and what helped me most were the breathing exercises which really helped to strengthen my voice. (RH)
-the relaxed atmosphere and learning more about breathing properly and other technical aspects of singing (M.J.F.)

Why take Singing for Better Breathing?
After Denise taught us about the singer’s breath, I practiced using it in my everyday life. WOW, what a benefit! I was doing some yard work and pushing a wheelbarrow up a small hill. As I controlled my breathing like she taught us, I was able to do it! Couldn’t have done that before her class! (HH)
-I have COPD and feel much more able to control my breathing now. (RR)
-I took the class because I have difficulty breathing & was intrigued at the concept. (RR)
-The songs utilized in class were enjoyable to sing, and I liked making song suggestions. (KC)
-The community connection in the class was part of the fun! (HD)

Denise was very good at showing us the workings of the diaphragm as it relates to the singer's breathing and with providing material for us to practice at home. (B. H.)

As a teacher/ leader, Denise was very good at providing encouragement, positivity, and connecting with the group. (A.D.)

Denise used our class time well, keeping it lively and varied so we could get the most out of our sessions. (MJF)

I loved Denise’s contagious enthusiasm and teaching style. (RH)

I will encourage any "old folks” like me to check out the Senior Singing Classes and sign up for any sessions taught by Denise. I thoroughly enjoyed the class (I did not miss a single one); It was fun and I know everyone in the class enjoyed it. (BH)

Denise is knowledgeable, personable and approachable! AND, she was FUN! (SH)

Denise did a great job, and her passion for voice made the class so enjoyable. I really can’t say enough good things to express how great of a job she did, how personable she is, and how much I really enjoyed the course. I hope she will offer more courses, because I’m ready to sign up. (AM)

I love how engaging and purposeful she was in the sessions. My voice has significantly improved. I am so thankful for her expertise and encouraging environment! (LT)

Loved the clarity of basics for singing and to support breathing. Things like how to stand/posture were super helpful including tips on how to find that posture (like sweeping arms overhead and then lowering but keeping sternum raised). I found the way things were explained to be clear, and we reviewed/repeated concepts a couple times which I found helpful to solidify them. Also loved that we just did a lot of singing! Gave lots of opportunity to practice what we were doing. Denise did a lovely job creating a judgement free zone, where we could give it our all and not feel embarrassed about the odd squeak! (BVT)

I. The songs utilized in class were enjoyable to sing, and I liked making song suggestions. (Karen C)
II. The community connection in the class was part of the fun! (Hannah D)
The thing(s) I appreciated most about the class…
III. … were that it was a safe place to sing out and having fun songs for us to learn. (Kelly G.)
IV. … was learning about breathing properly to use more of my lungs. Also, getting to know new people. (Aiden D.)
V. … and what helped me most were the breathing exercises which really helped to strengthen my voice.
(Roberta H)
VI. … the relaxed atmosphere and learning more about breathing properly and other technical aspects of singing (Mary Jane F.)

Denise was very good at showing us the workings of the diaphragm as it relates to singer’s breathing and providing material for us to practice at home. (Bill H.)

As a teacher/ leader, Denise was very good at providing encouragement, positivity, and connecting with the group. (Aaron D.)

Denise used our class time well, keeping it lively and varied so we could get the most out of our sessions.
(Mary Jane F.)

I loved Denise’s contagious enthusiasm and teaching style.
I will encourage any "old folks” like me to check out the Senior Singing Classes and sign up for any sessions taught by Denise. I thoroughly enjoyed the class (I did not miss a single one); It was fun and I know everyone in the class enjoyed it. (Bob H)

Denise is Knowledgeable, personable and approachable! AND, she was FUN! (Shelia H)

Denise did a great job, and her passion for voice made the class so enjoyable. I really can’t say enough good thing to express how great of a job she did, how personable she is, and how much I really enjoyed the course. I hope she will offer more courses, because I’m ready to sign up. (Amanda M)

I love how engaging and purposeful she was in the sessions. My voice has significantly improved. I am so thankful for her expertise and encouraging environment! (Laura T)

Loved the clarity of basics for singing and to support breathing. Things like how to stand/posture were super helpful including tips on how to find that posture (like sweeping arms overhead and then lowering but keeping sternum raised). I found the way things were explained to be clear, and we reviewed/repeated concepts a couple times which I found helpful to solidify them. Also loved that we just did a lot of singing! Gave lots of opportunity to practice what we were doing. Denise did a lovely job creating a judgement free zone, where we could give it our all and not feel embarrassed about the odd squeak! (Barbara V-T)