It’s Fun! The atmosphere is warm and friendly starting with a hot drink so people mix and relax. The session continues simply with body awareness so you discover what’ s stiff and hence limiting your breathing and this morphs into a really imaginative gentle stretching exercise. Then we start on sounds, largely vowel centred at first where the breath can learn to continue, and that’s where many of us need the practice.
The sounds become short easy to remember songs and introduce consonants
to get the tongue and vocal cords working harder. In no time at all we are at the end of the session. It goes fast because it is focused and it is such fun. I love it and feel better for doing it!
I would recommend Sing to Breathe to anyone who has a problem with breathing.
- The exercises are such fun, you don’t even realise how much work you are doing and the time flies. I am very grateful to Kate for the help she gives and her highly imaginative methods.
- “Sing2breathe has given me the tools to improve my breathing and correct bad habits in a fun and joyful way.”
- ‘I have found the exercises both physical and mental with imagination have been inspirational.”
- Kate provides a careful, sympathetic process and environment in which to learn how to breathe better.
- Sing2breathe makes me aware that I’m not alone with breathing problems. Kate makes each session fun and full of the most beautiful songs to reflect on as we hum our way home. An excellent class for anyone struggling with lung health problems and highly recommended.
- The songs are so well chosen, some hauntingly beautiful, that one is hardly aware of how each one is working to improve our lung capacity.
- I was becoming very despondent when I became breathless on exertion. Sing2breathe has made such a difference – I can now walk uphill with greater ease. I enjoy singing with the group and Kate makes every class such fun. It lightens my mood – I look forward to the class every week.
- I now feel that I am more in charge of my breathing. Lovely songs from around the world which are fun to sing. An afternoon with a great mix of people with which to share the laughter
- Since I’ve been coming to classes – it’s totally changed my life. I’m back walking in the Lake District now I can breathe properly.
Highlights of feedback from participants:
What impact have you noticed on your breathing?
- Being aware of breathing out in order to “fill up” naturally. This makes breathing more relaxed.
- There has been improvement and where as I used to croak quite a lot in conversation, this has stopped completely.
- I am less breathless, breathing more deeply when stressed. I use my inhaler more effectively.
- I’m more aware of trying to breathe deeply from the right place. Wonderful to hear sound coming out.
- I know it’s a lot better and my voice is no longer croaky.
- I feel I have a better understanding of how to breathe better since starting the choir and I no longer feel as anxious and scared as I did on being diagnosed with COPD.
- I found, quite unexpectedly, whilst experiencing an anxiety attack, that techniques learnt during sessions, helped me to control my breathing and help me control my anxiety. I also feel that I better understand where I’m breathing from.
- I am much more aware of how I breath and if do get short of breath I feel that I now know how to get it back under my control. Sing2breathe has also benefitted my inhaler technique. I now empty my lungs more fully each time I inhale.
- I’m able to concentrate on my breathing when doing housework, walking etc. much better now than before.
- When I began to use this method to take my steroid inhaler, I could breathe it deeper into my lungs than before. I was able to reduce the dose by half!
My voice became less husky and not such a problem, as the dose of steroids was now reaching further into my lungs- not just hitting the back of my throat!
What impact have you noticed on your physical and mental wellbeing?
- Being diagnosed with COPD was a shock and I felt depressed that it would be likely to get worse but coming to Sing 2 Breathe gave me hope that this is not inevitable. After only 7 sessions I feel and breathe so much better.rIa
- I am walking up slopes more easily.
- Deeper abdominal breathing enables me to have more energy.
I have been able to half the dose of my steroid inhalers. - “I feel uplifted during the sessions.”
- Because I enjoy going and have made new friends, it has given me more confidence.
- Mentally I feel more positive, not as isolated and troubled by my diagnosis as I was.
- Sing2breathe is joyous. Being in a group of people, engaging with the singing and exercises etc is fun and uplifting. I always feel so much better in myself after each session. I can’t sing for toffee, oh but I do enjoy it.
- I was at quite a low ebb. Sing2breathe has given me opportunities to engage with others with lung conditions, having a life long condition can feel quite isolating. Sing2breathe has helped my mental health enormously and helped me manage my breathing, which in itself helps my mental health.
What has been the best thing about taking part in Sing2breathe sessions?
- Meeting new people and the laughs we have together when doing the exercises and the singing.
- Meeting other people with COPD and interacting.
- Learning to appreciate me in a physical way. Nice to be with a group of people being led in the firm by gentle and fun way that Kate takes us through these sessions. She is very welcoming and treats us all as individuals.
- Sheer enjoyment and feeling at one with the others around me.
- A lovely warm and encouraging atmosphere in the class. Helping to achieve better breathing whatever level you bring to the session.
- The best thing is listening to other’s stories, concerns, sharing knowledge and sharing helpful tips.
- Meeting other people with the same sort of problems and enjoying the friendship of the group.