I work with COPD patients at Bitterne Health Centre on Friday mornings. The practice is fully supportive of this work and in fact they are co-authors of this report. All good stuff to indicate that singing can improve people's health and mental wellbeing, improving their quality of life while living with a debilitating condition. Plus, we have a right laugh on Friday mornings!
"Structured interviews with eight COPD patients were completed after completion of the initial trial by Lord et al.2 Participants described a positive impact from the singing groups relating to both physical and general well-being. Singing contributed to an increased sense of breath control. Positive impacts on patient’s posture, walking, ability to control breathlessness during an exacerbation and housework were reported as a result of doing singing in the group. The benefits of enjoyment, improved mood and social contact were also reported"
http://www.nature.com/articles/npjpcrm201680
Saturday 10 December 2016
Sunday 6 November 2016
Reflections from the Arts Practitioner workshop day with Spare Tyre Theatre Co. 2/11/16
http://sparetyre.org/whats-on/events/autumn/
On Wednesday 2nd November I went along to a practitioner training day run by Spare Tyre Theatre Co (see link) hosted by Chichester Festival Theatre.
I currently run the Mind Body Song dementia friendly singing group on Friday afternoons which is part of Chichester Festival community programme which is how I came across the workshop.
The workshop was led by the director, Arti Prashar, and was aimed at arts practitioners who work with people with dementia. Their current touring show 'The Garden' is an interactive piece of theatre specifically for people living with dementia.
I went with an open mind, thinking I may be asked to do some acting, which I was looking forward to, as I think it's not since my A Level Theatre Studies that I've actually done any acting.
There were other arts practitioners there, plus three people who work in the care sector and one carer. It was a very enjoyable and enriching day. In the morning we shared ideas and thoughts about 'older people', 'dementia' and 'the arts', and doing practical exercises to explore ideas of trust, communication and emotion.
The afternoon session Arti set up the room for the performance, so we got to experience the show and also we were able to ask questions and talk about how the multi-sensory theatre piece worked. There was a large video projector, the lighting was soft and subdued, sounds of bird song, tactile objects, hand held projectors, photos, plants, leaves, snow, butterflies, washing & washing lines, water, fish....
I came away with lots of ideas, realising there is such a wide scope of different arts disciplines that can be employed to connect and engage group participants. All these things have been my interest since I was young. I studied them, but above all I DID them.
It really made sense to me with all the interactive work I already do:
That singing is NOT a spectator sport, that to led a song is an invitation to others to join in and make it their own.
It's not about sticking to a script, but that participants bring their own understanding to a song, a dance or a drawing.
The time spent in the activity is the 'thing'. It's not about producing a final piece that will be consumed by others at a later date.
The authenticity of the artistic project is the interaction between people not whether it sticks to a particular style or genre or a rule.
The two other main ideas I came away with were about using fewer words and about the role of gesture. I've found that leading singing workshops with people with dementia, you can just start doing an action, a warm up stretch and they will just start copying you.
Also, if you over explain things, you've lost them. It's better to just get on with the activity, let the song, the tune, the dance, the drawing, the hanging of the washing, the dusting, the fishing... let those things be the focus and out of that comes the awakening and therefore the reconnecting.
Being participant focused is what it's all about.
Creating an environment that is safe is key.
Keeping your plan, your story in the background.
The activity inspires imagination.
It's an invitation not a lesson.
It's being listened to and not talked at.
It's participation not performance.
It's about being in the moment.
It's experiential.
It's about relationship.
It's about equality.
It's soul work.
It's mindfulness.
It's healing.
It's joy.
We also talked about reminiscence and nostalgia and whether that is a positive model for people with dementia. Arti said that in their experience reminiscence seems to lock people in a particular time. It's not very creative. Jogging memories might help people to speak and share their memories, but perhaps it seems to be more important for the carer or the public's perception that if a person with dementia is able to recall and talk about the past that that means they are 'normal'. There is no space for silence or the imagination in this. The theatre piece 'The Garden' demonstrates that people living with dementia still have the capacity to creative, to play, to listen, to be absorbed in a story, even if is no traditional dialogue or obvious narrative.
It's also being a challenge for me to look to other forms of music as support for singing. I've been very anti-backing or accompaniment in my vocal work so far, but I can see now when working with people with dementia, or other people who may be living with other conditions that mean their voices are not strong (Parkinson's is an example) may need support, With my regular choir work I'm still very much a champion of unaccompanied singing. However, using 'Singing for the Brain' (AS Society) as an example, I soon found that if you didn't have enough singing volunteers then the singing in the group would suffer. If the carers in attendance had all had a bad week and didn't feel like singing (they probably felt more like crying) then I could see it was too much to ask of the them to sing. They needed support. However, piano accompaniment I think it still to over-bearing. What ever accompaniment you have needs to SUPPORT people rather than dominate and take over. So percussion and ukulele work well, as dose the shruti box, drones and sound effects like ocean drums and rain sticks. It also then leaves it free and flexible enough to improve and therefore to create!
It's a very exciting time for me personally as I'm now seeing how my passions and interests can come together in the work that I do, a multi-disciplinary approach. At the beginning of the workshop we had to tell our story about how we have got to this point in our lives. I ended up drawing a picture of what seemed to be a cross between a scarf and a loom. The knitting had three balls of wool (Art, Music and Theatre) and the threads that went back in time had musical notes of them. The idea of weaving on a loom is nice as you can just throw in a completely new colour or texture and it works.
There is a feeling of gathering in at this time of year, of mulling things over (mulching!) and I'm enjoying the rather unsettling process of looking at all the work I do and seeing where I am going with it all....
How I can add in new dimensions to the singing work I do in the community
How I can bring together circle dance and musical improvisation so the experienced musician and dancer can mix with the people who are new to playing and dancing, or for those who have mobility issues.
Developing the ideas of drawing and painting for wellbeing.
Developing models of 'drop in' workshops at community events and festivals for people to try out and have a taster of dance, song and drawing.
Offering creative activities under the umbrella of wellbeing to people, many of whom still have never tried or been given the opportunity to be creative in their lives or at least since school.
Right, better get on with it.....
On Wednesday 2nd November I went along to a practitioner training day run by Spare Tyre Theatre Co (see link) hosted by Chichester Festival Theatre.
I currently run the Mind Body Song dementia friendly singing group on Friday afternoons which is part of Chichester Festival community programme which is how I came across the workshop.
The workshop was led by the director, Arti Prashar, and was aimed at arts practitioners who work with people with dementia. Their current touring show 'The Garden' is an interactive piece of theatre specifically for people living with dementia.
I went with an open mind, thinking I may be asked to do some acting, which I was looking forward to, as I think it's not since my A Level Theatre Studies that I've actually done any acting.
There were other arts practitioners there, plus three people who work in the care sector and one carer. It was a very enjoyable and enriching day. In the morning we shared ideas and thoughts about 'older people', 'dementia' and 'the arts', and doing practical exercises to explore ideas of trust, communication and emotion.
The afternoon session Arti set up the room for the performance, so we got to experience the show and also we were able to ask questions and talk about how the multi-sensory theatre piece worked. There was a large video projector, the lighting was soft and subdued, sounds of bird song, tactile objects, hand held projectors, photos, plants, leaves, snow, butterflies, washing & washing lines, water, fish....
I came away with lots of ideas, realising there is such a wide scope of different arts disciplines that can be employed to connect and engage group participants. All these things have been my interest since I was young. I studied them, but above all I DID them.
It really made sense to me with all the interactive work I already do:
That singing is NOT a spectator sport, that to led a song is an invitation to others to join in and make it their own.
It's not about sticking to a script, but that participants bring their own understanding to a song, a dance or a drawing.
The time spent in the activity is the 'thing'. It's not about producing a final piece that will be consumed by others at a later date.
The authenticity of the artistic project is the interaction between people not whether it sticks to a particular style or genre or a rule.
The two other main ideas I came away with were about using fewer words and about the role of gesture. I've found that leading singing workshops with people with dementia, you can just start doing an action, a warm up stretch and they will just start copying you.
Also, if you over explain things, you've lost them. It's better to just get on with the activity, let the song, the tune, the dance, the drawing, the hanging of the washing, the dusting, the fishing... let those things be the focus and out of that comes the awakening and therefore the reconnecting.
Being participant focused is what it's all about.
Creating an environment that is safe is key.
Keeping your plan, your story in the background.
The activity inspires imagination.
It's an invitation not a lesson.
It's being listened to and not talked at.
It's participation not performance.
It's about being in the moment.
It's experiential.
It's about relationship.
It's about equality.
It's soul work.
It's mindfulness.
It's healing.
It's joy.
We also talked about reminiscence and nostalgia and whether that is a positive model for people with dementia. Arti said that in their experience reminiscence seems to lock people in a particular time. It's not very creative. Jogging memories might help people to speak and share their memories, but perhaps it seems to be more important for the carer or the public's perception that if a person with dementia is able to recall and talk about the past that that means they are 'normal'. There is no space for silence or the imagination in this. The theatre piece 'The Garden' demonstrates that people living with dementia still have the capacity to creative, to play, to listen, to be absorbed in a story, even if is no traditional dialogue or obvious narrative.
It's also being a challenge for me to look to other forms of music as support for singing. I've been very anti-backing or accompaniment in my vocal work so far, but I can see now when working with people with dementia, or other people who may be living with other conditions that mean their voices are not strong (Parkinson's is an example) may need support, With my regular choir work I'm still very much a champion of unaccompanied singing. However, using 'Singing for the Brain' (AS Society) as an example, I soon found that if you didn't have enough singing volunteers then the singing in the group would suffer. If the carers in attendance had all had a bad week and didn't feel like singing (they probably felt more like crying) then I could see it was too much to ask of the them to sing. They needed support. However, piano accompaniment I think it still to over-bearing. What ever accompaniment you have needs to SUPPORT people rather than dominate and take over. So percussion and ukulele work well, as dose the shruti box, drones and sound effects like ocean drums and rain sticks. It also then leaves it free and flexible enough to improve and therefore to create!
It's a very exciting time for me personally as I'm now seeing how my passions and interests can come together in the work that I do, a multi-disciplinary approach. At the beginning of the workshop we had to tell our story about how we have got to this point in our lives. I ended up drawing a picture of what seemed to be a cross between a scarf and a loom. The knitting had three balls of wool (Art, Music and Theatre) and the threads that went back in time had musical notes of them. The idea of weaving on a loom is nice as you can just throw in a completely new colour or texture and it works.
There is a feeling of gathering in at this time of year, of mulling things over (mulching!) and I'm enjoying the rather unsettling process of looking at all the work I do and seeing where I am going with it all....
How I can add in new dimensions to the singing work I do in the community
How I can bring together circle dance and musical improvisation so the experienced musician and dancer can mix with the people who are new to playing and dancing, or for those who have mobility issues.
Developing the ideas of drawing and painting for wellbeing.
Developing models of 'drop in' workshops at community events and festivals for people to try out and have a taster of dance, song and drawing.
Offering creative activities under the umbrella of wellbeing to people, many of whom still have never tried or been given the opportunity to be creative in their lives or at least since school.
Right, better get on with it.....
Tuesday 25 October 2016
How to listen - Evelyn Glennie
The experience of listening and our relationship with sound
https://www.ted.com/talks/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen/transcript
https://www.ted.com/talks/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen/transcript
Sat 12th November Lifemusic Portsmouth
Join us for the next improvisation workshop at Fratton Community Centre on Saturday 12th November 10.30am-12.30pm £7. We are all musical! Don't think so? Come along and find that you are! Tea, coffee & homemade cake included. Just bring yourself, all instruments provided.
Lifemusic Workshops
with Janet Ayers
All instruments provided but you can bring your own.
Bring water to drink, a notebook and wear comfortable clothing.
Hot drinks & home-made cake included.
with Janet Ayers
Saturdays
10.30am-12.30pm
at Fratton Community Centre
10th Sept - 8th Oct - 12th Nov - 3rd Dec
Open to all human-beings!
Improvisation workshop - Whatever your life experience or background, come along and join in the musicking!
Fee: £7 adv - Places are limited, so please book
Put very simply, Lifemusic promotes the idea that –
Improvisation workshop - Whatever your life experience or background, come along and join in the musicking!
Fee: £7 adv - Places are limited, so please book
Put very simply, Lifemusic promotes the idea that –
· Everyone is musical · There are no wrong notes in music
· Every sound has a meaning · Making music is an act of trust
Fratton Community Centre Trafalgar Place, off Clive Road, Fratton PO1 5JJ
Telephone: 023 9275 1441
Telephone: 023 9275 1441
Transport links: TRAIN: 10min walk north from Fratton station.
Free car park at venue (www.frattoncc.org.uk)
Free car park at venue (www.frattoncc.org.uk)
All instruments provided but you can bring your own.
Bring water to drink, a notebook and wear comfortable clothing.
Hot drinks & home-made cake included.
Contact Janet now to reserve your place
Tel: 02392 811802 or contact@janetayers.org
lifemusicmethod.blogspot.co.uk
Circle Dance for Wellbeing 27th October 10.30am
Join us for the second taster workshop of circle dancing for wellbeing on
Thursday 27th October 10.30am.
No experience necessary, just willingness to have a go and to try something new that's good for your wellbeing. Very easy and very enjoyable seated and standing dances for anyone who enjoys exercise and movement to music. Especially good for people with mobility issues, people recovering from Stroke, people with dementia or Parkinson's and their carers.
Thursday 27th October 10.30am.
No experience necessary, just willingness to have a go and to try something new that's good for your wellbeing. Very easy and very enjoyable seated and standing dances for anyone who enjoys exercise and movement to music. Especially good for people with mobility issues, people recovering from Stroke, people with dementia or Parkinson's and their carers.
Come along and give it a go!
Circle Dance for Wellbeing
Led by Janet AyersA fun and enjoyable community based circle dance group for people with Dementia, Parkinson’s or recovering from Stroke, and their carers. Also suitable for anyone who enjoys gentle exercise & movement. The dances are both seated or standing.
Led by Janet AyersA fun and enjoyable community based circle dance group for people with Dementia, Parkinson’s or recovering from Stroke, and their carers. Also suitable for anyone who enjoys gentle exercise & movement. The dances are both seated or standing.
Thursdays 10.30-12noonThree taster workshops
22nd Sept /27th Oct / 24th Nov
St Mary’s Community Building
opposite St Marys Lodge,
St Marys Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6BB£5 for couples
£3 for individuals
Contact Janet for more info and to book a place
02392 811802 or email: contact@janetayers.org
PARKING: PLEASE USE THE LEFT-HAND CARPARK, PARKING AT THE FAR END IN THE ‘VISITORS’ SPACES – THANK YOU. OR ON STREET PARKING
22nd Sept /27th Oct / 24th Nov
St Mary’s Community Building
opposite St Marys Lodge,
St Marys Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6BB£5 for couples
£3 for individuals
Contact Janet for more info and to book a place
02392 811802 or email: contact@janetayers.org
PARKING: PLEASE USE THE LEFT-HAND CARPARK, PARKING AT THE FAR END IN THE ‘VISITORS’ SPACES – THANK YOU. OR ON STREET PARKING
Sunday 2 October 2016
Home › Columns › Essay › The demoralized mind - Western consumer culture is creating a psycho-spiritual crisis that leaves us disoriented and bereft of purpose. How can we treat our sick culture and make ourselves well? asks John F Schumaker.
https://newint.org/columns/essays/2016/04/01/psycho-spiritual-crisis/
Julian Harrow shared this article which resonates with the many people I've met through the course of my work, who show such a huge lack of worth on their own creativity, that they are not musical, or artisitc. We seem to be living in an era of embedded low self esteem of pandemic proportions.
"Research shows that, in contrast to earlier times, most people today are unable to identify any sort of philosophy of life or set of guiding principles. Without an existential compass, the commercialized mind gravitates toward a ‘philosophy of futility’, as Noam Chomsky calls it, in which people feel naked of power and significance beyond their conditioned role as pliant consumers. Lacking substance and depth, and adrift from others and themselves, the thin and fragile consumer self is easily fragmented and dispirited."
Julian Harrow shared this article which resonates with the many people I've met through the course of my work, who show such a huge lack of worth on their own creativity, that they are not musical, or artisitc. We seem to be living in an era of embedded low self esteem of pandemic proportions.
"Research shows that, in contrast to earlier times, most people today are unable to identify any sort of philosophy of life or set of guiding principles. Without an existential compass, the commercialized mind gravitates toward a ‘philosophy of futility’, as Noam Chomsky calls it, in which people feel naked of power and significance beyond their conditioned role as pliant consumers. Lacking substance and depth, and adrift from others and themselves, the thin and fragile consumer self is easily fragmented and dispirited."
Illness: The Cry of the Flesh (The Art of Living) by Havi Carel
Phoene Cave siggested this as a good read. Lots of issues come up about singing and arts for wellbeing s I think this will help with my practice
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illness-Cry-Flesh-Art-Living/dp/1844657531/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
What is illness? Is it a physiological dysfunction, a social label, or a way of experiencing the world? How do the physical, social and emotional worlds of a person change when they become ill? And can there be well-being within illness? In this remarkable and thought-provoking book, Havi Carel explores these questions by weaving together the personal story of her own serious illness with insights and reflections drawn from her work as a philosopher. Carel's fresh approach to illness raises some uncomfortable questions about how we all - whether healthcare professionals or not - view the ill and challenges us to become more thoughtful. 'Illness' unravels the tension between the universality of illness and its intensely private, often lonely, nature. It offers a new way of looking at a matter that affects every one of us.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illness-Cry-Flesh-Art-Living/dp/1844657531/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
What is illness? Is it a physiological dysfunction, a social label, or a way of experiencing the world? How do the physical, social and emotional worlds of a person change when they become ill? And can there be well-being within illness? In this remarkable and thought-provoking book, Havi Carel explores these questions by weaving together the personal story of her own serious illness with insights and reflections drawn from her work as a philosopher. Carel's fresh approach to illness raises some uncomfortable questions about how we all - whether healthcare professionals or not - view the ill and challenges us to become more thoughtful. 'Illness' unravels the tension between the universality of illness and its intensely private, often lonely, nature. It offers a new way of looking at a matter that affects every one of us.
Thursday 29 September 2016
October Lifemusic Portsmouth
You are invited to join us for our next Lifemusic session on Sat 8th October 10.30am at Fratton Community Centre.
In addition if you'd like to bring some seasonal decoration, an object, picture or poem that represents this time of year for you, please do.
Hot drinks, homemade cake & water provided... and instruments!
See you then, Janet
In addition if you'd like to bring some seasonal decoration, an object, picture or poem that represents this time of year for you, please do.
Hot drinks, homemade cake & water provided... and instruments!
See you then, Janet
Tuesday 20 September 2016
Songs of Peace & Protest
Songs of Peace &
Protest
Led by Janet Ayers - Join us for a day of songs of peace & protest! Learn songs from all over the world that give voice to social justice and a call for peace.
Open to all, men & women, even if you ‘think’ you can’t sing, come and
FIND YOUR VOICE! Singing is good for your health & the health of the community.
SUNDAY
30th October Led by Janet Ayers - Join us for a day of songs of peace & protest! Learn songs from all over the world that give voice to social justice and a call for peace.
Open to all, men & women, even if you ‘think’ you can’t sing, come and
FIND YOUR VOICE! Singing is good for your health & the health of the community.
Arrivals from 10.30am 11AM-4PM
£20 all day - Bring a shared lunch OR...
£12 for morning 11am-1pm
OR £12 for afternoon 2-4pm
St Mary’s Community Building
opposite St Marys Lodge, St Marys Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6BB
Contact Janet for more info and to book a place
02392 811802 or email: contact@janetayers.org
ONSITR PARKING ONLY FOR ALL DAY PARTICIPANTS: ONSTREET FOR HALF DAY PARTICIPANTS
Visitor parking bays should only be used when parking on site.
Friday 9 September 2016
Circle Dance for Wellbeing 22nd Sept
Join us for the first taster workshop of circle dancing for wellbeing on Thursday 22nd September 10.30am. No experience necessary, just willingness to have a go and to try something new that's good for your wellbeing. Very easy and very enjoyable seated and standing dances for anyone who enjoys exercise and movement to music. Especially good for people with mobility issues, people recovering from Stroke, people with dementia or Parkinson's and their carers.
Come along and give it a go!
Circle Dance for Wellbeing
Led by Janet Ayers
A fun and enjoyable community based circle dance group for people with Dementia, Parkinson’s or recovering from Stroke, and their carers. Also suitable for anyone who enjoys gentle exercise & movement.
The dances are both seated or standing.
Led by Janet Ayers
A fun and enjoyable community based circle dance group for people with Dementia, Parkinson’s or recovering from Stroke, and their carers. Also suitable for anyone who enjoys gentle exercise & movement.
The dances are both seated or standing.
Thursdays 10.30-12noon
Three taster workshops
22nd Sept /27th Oct / 24th Nov
St Mary’s Community Building
opposite St Marys Lodge,
St Marys Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6BB
£5 for couples
£3 for individuals
Contact Janet for more info and to book a place
02392 811802 or email: contact@janetayers.org
PARKING: PLEASE USE THE LEFT-HAND CARPARK, PARKING AT THE FAR END IN THE ‘VISITORS’ SPACES – THANK YOU. OR ON STREET PARKING
Three taster workshops
22nd Sept /27th Oct / 24th Nov
St Mary’s Community Building
opposite St Marys Lodge,
St Marys Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6BB
£5 for couples
£3 for individuals
Contact Janet for more info and to book a place
02392 811802 or email: contact@janetayers.org
PARKING: PLEASE USE THE LEFT-HAND CARPARK, PARKING AT THE FAR END IN THE ‘VISITORS’ SPACES – THANK YOU. OR ON STREET PARKING
Thursday 18 August 2016
Lifemusic Portsmouth Autumn 2016
Lifemusic
Workshops
with Janet Ayers
with Janet Ayers
Saturdays
10.30am-12.30pm
at Fratton Community Centre
10th Sept - 8th Oct - 12th Nov - 3rd Dec
Open to all human-beings!
Improvisation workshop - Whatever your life experience or background, come along and join in the musicking!
Fee: £7 adv - Places are limited, so please book
Put very simply, Lifemusic promotes the idea that –
Improvisation workshop - Whatever your life experience or background, come along and join in the musicking!
Fee: £7 adv - Places are limited, so please book
Put very simply, Lifemusic promotes the idea that –
· Everyone is musical ·
There
are no wrong notes in music
·
Every
sound has a meaning ·
Making
music is an act of trust
Fratton Community Centre Trafalgar
Place, off Clive Road, Fratton
PO1 5JJ
Telephone: 023 9275 1441
Telephone: 023 9275 1441
Transport
links: TRAIN: 10min walk north from Fratton station.
Free car park at venue (www.frattoncc.org.uk)
Free car park at venue (www.frattoncc.org.uk)
All instruments provided but you can bring your own.
Bring water to drink, a notebook and wear comfortable clothing.
Hot drinks & home-made cake included.
Contact Janet now to reserve your place
Tel: 02392 811802 or contact@janetayers.org
lifemusicmethod.blogspot.co.uk
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