Healthy Lungs, Healthy Heart, and Feeling Good.

Just been reading a new Health article on the BBC News page -  I've added the link at the bottom of this post for those who'd like to read it in detail.
Essentially the article relates how singing can help sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a disease which the World Health Organisation {WHO} expects to be the 3rd highest cause of death in the world in the next 15 years.
There is no cure for this disease but the benefits of singing can help slow down the effects.  The reason IS that singing requires the individual to breath correctly.
A number of singers in my community chorus groups over the past couple of years have told me how their regular vocal workouts have strengthened their lungs - a fact which has also pleased their Doctor/s too!
Correct breathing is also one reason why people feel "high" at the end of a chorus rehearsal.  Because breathing deeply and in a controlled manner helps to strengthen the muscles around the lungs and throat - it also oxygenates the blood, leading to that feeling of 'being alive'. 
We've know for generations that swimming is good exercise for asthmatics to build up the lungs.   Singing is good for the same reason - plus more.

So if you're making any New Year Resolutions on December 31st ....better put Join a Chorus at the top of the list.  Plan to make 2014 a year where you engage with your voice and with your community.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

gathering together for some community singing

A Song from the Heart

Ongoing research into the benefits of Singing continue to show that we haven't yet reached full knowledge of the power of the voice.

This week, an article from the University of Exeter - Medical School, revealed the results of a research trial into snoring.  The research found that a 3 month program of daily singing exercises reduced the frequency and the severity of snoring and contributed to improved quality of sleep. This is because singers use daily vocal exercises to strengthen the throat muscles and it's believed that weak muscles in the soft palate and upper throat contribute to snoring.   {The full article is available here:}
http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/news/title_314452_en.html

Medical research from around the world increasingly shows that singing and music have a significant role to play in physical and mental health.  It also has a powerful influence on humans emotional health as well.

Frequently I hear from chorus members or students that they just FEEL better when they sing.  And of course, the physical reason is often that the body releases the 'feel good' chemicals when we sing .... but science doesn't always have ALL the answers.  Sometimes a song revives memories - joyful, sad, playful, hurtful - of times or of people that have passed through our lives.  And science can't explain why sharing a song with someone is like a hug.  Or why singing out loud with our eyes closed can give us a sense of spiritual awareness.

If you haven't discovered it yourself yet, you don't know what you're missing.  Find a group and start singing!
Here's a clip from my Wednesday morning group "Heart of Erin" ....they're a very small group of lovely ladies who sing Celtic music.  This one is a song called "Pilgrim" by Enya.   I hope it gives your heart a lift.

Many Voices, One Heart

This week a little piece of research crossed my inbox which I found fascinating, and worth sharing.

Researchers of the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden used pulse monitors to study the heart rates of high school choir members as they joined their voices. Their findings  - published in Frontiers in Neuroscience - confirm that choir music has calming effects on the heart — especially when sung in unison. 

As the choir began to sing, their heart rates slowed.  But what was more exciting was that they found the singers heart rates became synchronised – they fell into a shared rhythm, guided by the song’s tempo. This suggests greater implications for the shared musical experience and communal spirituality.

If you haven’t experienced singing in a group, maybe it’s time you overcome your inertia – or fears – and do it!  

If you’re already singing in a group – why not bring a friend along and share the joy and the experience with them too?  They’ll thank you for it.

Nurturing Song

If you're in Newcastle and you're a young mum, you might be interested in being part of a 'young mums' chorus.

Singing is a wonderful stress relief and great time out for mums.  Singing to your baby is a very effective way to soothe an upset bub.  Singing to your children instills an appreciation of musical sounds and fosters the joy of song from a very early age.

I was surprised therefore, to read some research recently which indicated that young mums today largely DON'T sing to their children.  They've forgotten the nursery rhymes - or never heard them from their own parents - and perhaps don't live close to grandparents who can teach them.  Because I coach community chorus groups for adults, I know the joy when they find their way to - or back to - singing, and the many benefits of singing in a group.

It inspired me to put a call out for expressions of interest to form a young mums chorus - to be run on a mid week, mid-morning and that mums can bring the bubs along to as well instead of having to find childcare.  If you or someone you know is interested, just email me and let me know.

The Gift of a Lifetime

This past week I've heard yet another story from a mature adult, still carrying the scars from childhood where she was told to "just open your mouth and pretend - don't make any noise tho'.."  . 
This person believed that very negative conditioning - after all, they were told that by an adult in authority - and consequently has gone through life devoid of the pleasure of making music...and yet wanting to make music.
This is a natural human desire.  We hear the sounds of music in life around us, constantly;  the jazz hum of a hive of bees; the flute and bell sounds of the birds; even the breeze in the leaves is creating music.  It's everywhere.  How sad when we fail to encourage people to find, to discover the joy of music, the rhythm of life - regardless of age.  How hard is it to go through life wanting something that you believe you can never have?
I get excited when I get a raw voice to work with - whether its a private tutoring or a new member of one of the chorus groups.  Because I know, I've seen and heard, what happens when we help people find their voice. 
It HEALS.  It provides a sense of achievement - in some, almost wonder. (wow, did I really make that sound?!)
And it builds confidence - because if we find our voice, if we can confidently release it to the world around us, we can do anything!
What a gift to give someone you care about.  It can cost - well -  nothing even!  Yet it's priceless because the gift of music lasts a lifetime

Let your voice be heard

How often have I heard the line "oh, I can't sing"?!  Too often.  But the reality IS, that if you can talk you can sing.
Everyone has a voice.  Now it may not be the voice that other people think is pretty - but nevertheless it is YOUR voice and as such it has a right to be heard.
You might be surprised to know that we ARE born singers.  It's true.  Research shows that babies cry in the tones of western music.  Babies are soothed by the sound of music - they're actually listening. So why is it that we are born with the gift of music but then lose it somewhere along the way?

• some babies/children are encouraged to develop their natural inclination to music ... but some children are actively discouraged from exploring music by adults who believe it is not a valid learning or lifestyle choice
• while still young, our family, teachers, and peers, can disparage a child's efforts to sing - even to the point of telling them to 'keep quiet, you haven't got a voice'.  That's hurtful to a child and the emotional damage can be carried through to old age
• as adults, perhaps at a party someone has criticised your vocal efforts.  The embarrassment can stick and so you avoid trying ever again.

If singing is something that you want to do, rest assured that you CAN learn to get the best song out of your voice.  But past hurts, false beliefs, old baggage shouldn't prevent you from trying.  It might take some time and some effort to get your voice into shape but if you're prepared to do that, then GO FOR IT!
The reward is well worth the effort.

Warming up with Song

Winter is here ....and so's the long weekend - almost!!  But if you're not going away for the weekend, then why not finish it off with a good warming healthy social sing!
   The annual Winter Sing is happening on Monday night 11th June from 7-9pm ...cost is just $10 and includes a light supper at the end where you can catch up with old friends, make some new ones, enjoy a social chat with like-minded folk.
   It's a fun, social night - no pressure and no challenges this time! And there's something rather special, inspiring, exhilarating about cosying up with a group of friends and raising your voice in song.
   Please book in if you're coming - numbers are limited to the size of my music room! and I also need to know for catering.  [Details are on the 'Coming Up' page]


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