Anna Gillions

Anna is a member of the National Voice Practitioners Network (www.naturalvoice.net), and has signed up to the music practitioners code of practice (www.musicleader.net) She has been working with the superb singer, songwriter and teacher Abbie Lathe (www.abbielathe.co.uk) to deliver vocal workshops like no other! These workshops are intended to help you to free your voice, move beyond blocks and inhibitions, explore harmony, and above all HAVE FUN! Yes it's true - singing can make you feel good! (Click here for details on the benefits of singing)

The regular "Free Your Voice" group in Shrewsbury has stopped for the time being, but Abbie is still running groups in South Shropshire and Anna is looking to establish a group in Telford. We are hoping that these will be interspersed with masterclasses for those who want to focus on technique - watch this space!

Singing has such a wide range of benefits it would be difficult to list them all! So in brief:

• Singing releases "feel good" endorphins, making it a mood-lifter / pain-killer / anti-depressant with no side effects!
• Group singing increases the impact of the above and can reduce feelings of isolation
• Singing increases breath control which can assist for asthma sufferers or people who experience panic attacks
• Singing has great physical effects: it exercises the lungs, oxygenates the blood, gives the abdominal and intercostal muscles a workout, improves posture, and releases muscle tension 

" 'There are hidden reserves of strength and hope, and indeed happiness, that singing somehow spontaneously helps people to find' says Dr Larry Culliford. Doctors believe that singing is valuable aerobic exercise, encouraging better posture and deeper breathing. It is also thought that singing releases endorphins in the body, which relieve pain and reduce stress. Using singing as a therapy for relaxation, overcoming depression and anxiety, even treating clinically serious mental health problems, is a growing movement" (The Observer, Sunday 11th February 2001)