I sing alone at home (when the neighbours are out) as an aside I used to recommend singing to people who lived their life in wheelchairs, firstly because it helped keep their lungs fit, also get in more oxygen, but secondly, when you start to sing, you sit in a more upright fashion (in most cases) it seems automatic that when you take that first breath in you become more upright and push your shoulders further back, so activity good for posture. Lastly, for people who have started on the road of dementia, most can still sing the songs of their youth, even if they are unsure if they had breakfast. I will say numerous spouses complained to me, that it then drove them mad, having this person breaking into song when in the shower etc.!!!
Thank you for your feedback SORRELHIPPO, I too like to sing in the house, regardless if the neighbours are in or not...they never seem to complain anyway!
The benefits of singing seem to affect a lot of people in a good way and that's brilliant!
I go to the Norwich group its great fun as well as good lung exercise. A cup of tea a biscuit or two and a good natter with friends as well as keeping my lungs fit a briliant way to spend an afternoon. No i cant sing. But i still do !
I never was a good singer, but since started using steroid inhaler and despite religiously washing my mouth out after use my singing would be more like a noise a mating frog might make. My voice has never been the same since starting using although the benefit to my breathing has been worth it . Has anyone discovered a way of dealing with this?
When my children were growing up they were very good about making drinks, doing their share of jobs around the house. I used to give them an option do the job or I'd sing. They always chose the job.
My grandchildren can sing beautifully. However, when they were tiny I taught them a song. They sang it back to me : it sounded like a full blown cat fight!
That's where going to a singing for lung health group can be so helpful - everyone understands why some of us start coughing about 10 minutes in to the singing exercises. And no-one bothers if some people sing out of tune - we're not there to entertain each other, just give our lungs a good work out.
It's brilliant that you are in a choir as singing will give you lots of positive benefits.
If you need to discuss your condition with one of our nurses, you can call us here at the helpline on 03000 030 555 and we book you in with one of our nurses when she is available.
Hello, I live on the outskirts of Bristol and was very interested in the singing group in a Southmead. Unfortunately I live the other side of the city and I’m pretty much housebound due to lung and muscle issues, unable to take public transport or drive and so cannot partake. My parents do a lot for me and my children so don’t feel I can ask them to take me here as well. If there are any more groups that start nearer my area (BS16), would you be able to let me know? Thanks - from what I’ve read the groups are amazing x
I sing with the Northampton Singing for Breathing group and absolutely love it! We have just released a cd and a video that was made in conjunction with NHS England. You can see it on You Tube We stand together- Stay Well this Winter. Sorry I would post the link but my computer is not too good!
I used to love singing in a choir and became very frustrated (and a bit sad) that my voice had become wobbly and I couldn't stand long enough to get through a song. But last week I decided to try making a positive change and went to the BLF singing group in Maidenhead. It was so friendly and no-one minds what you sound like! We did gentle exercises that fit our mixed ability and helped us to breathe better as well as learning new songs. Tara the leader is very supportive.
It's good to hear that you got the confidence to go back to singing as I often find the thing that holds us back from doing things is the uncertainty of what is going to happen.
I'm glad that you are getting great support from Tara and if you need any support from us we are here to help.
Keep up the brilliant work and I hope you have fun at the next class!
I have looked on our web page and found the following groups in Wales - though it may help to pop your postcode in to see if there are any groups closer to you:-
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