Aufatmen
The next round of Aufatmen will take place from April 28, 2025 to June 2, 2025.
Based on proven strategies of singing-based respiratory therapy (Singing for Lung Health: SLH), the association ARTS for HEALTH AUSTRIA, together with the two start-ups, "ArtWave" and "Ludwig Med" and the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems and Dr. Milos Petrovic (lung specialist in Vienna) are implementing a visionary project that combines art, medicine and music therapy. As part of the Aufatmen initiative, a team of experienced breathing coaches, singers and music therapists are creating a mindful, musical breathing program for long-term Covid-19 sufferers. This programme is intended to improve breathing processes and relaxation (anxiety and stress reduction, etc.) and support the physical and mental well-being of the project participants so that they can literally breathe again and revitalize themselves. A similar project "Breathe" by the English National Opera underlines the strong international demand for such solutions in the fight against the pandemic and their acceptance by those affected.
From September to november 2021, the Aufatmen pilot project took place with four online and one face-to-face group in Vienna.
Since then, there have been nine more courses in the breathing and music program.
Based on scientific findings on the positive effect of singing on respiratory processes in the human body (e.g. "Singing for Lung Health"), we are creating an eight-week program that can be attended online and (if possible) in person. The weekly sessions include exercises to improve posture, breathing and voice training as well as singing simple songs together.
The therapy program is artistically supported by audio and video recordings of professional singers and musicians. Folk songs and lullabies are used, as well as specially compiled works of opera literature that have a calming or revitalizing effect. In addition, explanatory videos are created with experts to provide instructions on breathing and singing and to introduce the meaning and concept of the project in an easily understandable way. These materials will be available online as downloads for participants.
We were able to gain the City of Vienna, the Porticus Foundation and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection as active supporters for the pilot project. The Theater an der Wien and the jazz club Porgy & Bess made their premises available for the video recordings. Dr. Siegfried Meryn's Cape 10 provides the ideal setting for the conclusion of the pilot project, which culminates in a joyful coming-together, a "soirée" at which the artists and music therapists perform works that were developed during the program together with the participants and doctors.
The aim of Aufatmen is to support long-term Covid-19 sufferers in their recovery through art. The training program offers long-term Covid sufferers a supplement to rehab clinic programs. The pilot project (September to november 2021) is being scientifically monitored and evaluated by a research project at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems. In addition to assessing the changes in well-being, we are investigating the clinical evidence on lung function before and after the program with the support of Therme Wien Med in the clinical tests.
Artistic direction: Jennifer Davison, Bea Robein - ArtWave founders
Project coordination: Oliver Peter Graber
Project administration: Katy Geertsen
Scientific, medical and therapeutic team: Dr. Gerhard Tucek (ICM FH Krems), Marlies Sobotka, Iris Zoderer MA, Dr. Michaela Popp and Dr. Milos Petrovic (lung specialists).
Do you have any questions?
Then join us for a live information evening with the Aufatmen team!
The next one will take place on April 7, 2025 at 6 pm.
Fill out the form and we will send you the ZOOM link and information.
WWW.AUFATMEN-AUSTRIA.EU
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