Singing For Health And Wellbeing with Kari Olsen-Porthouse

This week, Dr Hussain is joined by choir director and Liberty singer, Kari Olsen-Porthouse, who also runs workplace wellbeing initiatives with singing workshops.

Kari has joined the discussion today to discuss the many health benefits of singing, as well as the difference it can make to individuals, to businesses, and to communities.

Key Takeaways
Singing as a group promotes teamwork, good feeling and camaraderie, which in turn brings happiness and comfort. In Kari’s eyes, the singing comes secondary in many cases, and a “good singing voice” is certainly not a prerequisite for joining.
Kari has begun to shy away from using the term “choir” as it makes prospective members believe that some level of expertise or experience is required in order to join. This is not the case.
People seem to learn better when music is involved. This is especially true of children, who find it much easier to absorb information if it is in the form of a song, such as the alphabet song, or times tables.
Scientific studies have shown that singing has a positive effect upon health in numerous ways such as improved posture, inducing a better quality of sleep, strengthening the immune system, and c an act as a natural anti-depressant.
One of Kari’s members has reported that her heart condition is improved since becoming part of the singing group. Her breathing, also, has drastically improved.
Workplace singing is something Kari is a passionate advocate of, as she feels that it promotes wellbeing, communication and team spirit. It also gives the sometimes lesser-spotted talents a chance to shine.

Best Moments

‘When people say to me “I can’t sing”, I say “Who says?”'

‘I do everything by ear’

‘If you can speak, you can sing’

‘All I ever want to do is share it’

‘Are you woodwind players, or are you singers?'

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr Shan Hussain is an author, general practitioner, health coach, wellness advisor and ambassador to the World Health Innovation Summit.

As Founder of The Health Studio and a medical doctor of 18 years, he has a special interest in health promotion and disease prevention. He works with individuals and organisations to help naturally improve health in a sustainable, holistic manner.

Dr Hussain has developed several coaching and mentorship programmes designed to help reverse the symptoms of many stress-related health problems.

His best-selling book, 'The Big Prescription' serves as a guide for readers to learn about evidence-based holistic health practices that create the foundation of his work.

 

HOST CONTACT METHOD

Dr Shan Hussain

• Connect with Dr Shan Hussain through his website at http://www.thehealthstudio.net.

• If you would like to support our Podcast, please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/enduringhealth

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Kari is a freelance choir director who graduated from Middlesex University with a Performance Art degree in music and technical theatre. After a period of time working to edit commercials for television, she went on to complete a psychology degree moved into a career in primary school teaching. As a specialist music teacher, she ran five different school choirs for junior school children and began a community choir for the parents.

She left teaching in 2017 to fully devote her time to choral singing. Operating out of Nottingham she now runs a hugely successful community choir, and also runs workplace singing workshops as part of wellbeing initiatives. Her clients have included NutraCheck, NHS Digital, The University of Nottingham, Hillarys and the Post Office.

She believes that everyone can sing and that we can all learn and make improvements to our vocal sound. She teaches singing in a way which aims to be accessible for everyone. Most of all, she helps deliver confidence to singers through informal teaching methods and great sense of fun.

She believes in the power of choral singing, and the sense of community and good feeling it creates, and the proven associated health benefits we can derive

Valuable Resources

Liberty Singer: www.libertysinger.com

Liberty Singer Facebook: www.facebook.com/libertysinger

Kari Olsen-Porthouse Twitter: @libertysinger73

Email Kari at: [email protected]

 

 

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/enduringhealth

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Dr Hussain is joined by choir director and Liberty singer, Kari Olsen-Porthouse, who also runs workplace wellbeing initiatives with singing workshops.

Kari has joined the discussion today to discuss the many health benefits of singing, as well as the difference it can make to individuals, to businesses, and to communities.

Key Takeaways

Singing as a group promotes teamwork, good feeling and camaraderie, which in turn brings happiness and comfort. In Kari’s eyes, the singing comes secondary in many cases, and a “good singing voice” is certainly not a prerequisite for joining.

Kari has begun to shy away from using the term “choir” as it makes prospective members believe that some level of expertise or experience is required in order to join. This is not the case.

People seem to learn better when music is involved. This is especially true of children, who find it much easier to absorb information if it is in the form of a song, such as the alphabet song, or times tables.

Scientific studies have shown that singing has a positive effect upon health in numerous ways such as improved posture, inducing a better quality of sleep, strengthening the immune system, and c an act as a natural anti-depressant.
One of Kari’s members has reported that her heart condition is improved since becoming part of the singing group. Her breathing, also, has drastically improved.
Workplace singing is something Kari is a passionate advocate of, as she feels that it promotes wellbeing, communication and team spirit. It also gives the sometimes lesser-spotted talents a chance to shine.

Best Moments

‘When people say to me “I can’t sing”, I say “Who says?”'

‘I do everything by ear’

‘If you can speak, you can sing’

‘All I ever want to do is share it’

‘Are you woodwind players, or are you singers?'

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr Shan Hussain is an author, general practitioner, health coach, wellness advisor and ambassador to the World Health Innovation Summit.

As Founder of The Health Studio and a medical doctor of 18 years, he has a special interest in health promotion and disease prevention. He works with individuals and organisations to help naturally improve health in a sustainable, holistic manner.

Dr Hussain has developed several coaching and mentorship programmes designed to help reverse the symptoms of many stress-related health problems.

His best-selling book, 'The Big Prescription' serves as a guide for readers to learn about evidence-based holistic health practices that create the foundation of his work.

 

HOST CONTACT METHOD

Dr Shan Hussain

• Connect with Dr Shan Hussain through his website at http://www.thehealthstudio.net.

• If you would like to support our Podcast, please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/enduringhealth

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Kari is a freelance choir director who graduated from Middlesex University with a Performance Art degree in music and technical theatre. After a period of time working to edit commercials for television, she went on to complete a psychology degree moved into a career in primary school teaching. As a specialist music teacher, she ran five different school choirs for junior school children and began a community choir for the parents.

She left teaching in 2017 to fully devote her time to choral singing. Operating out of Nottingham she now runs a hugely successful community choir, and also runs workplace singing workshops as part of wellbeing initiatives. Her clients have included NutraCheck, NHS Digital, The University of Nottingham, Hillarys and the Post Office.

She believes that everyone can sing and that we can all learn and make improvements to our vocal sound. She teaches singing in a way which aims to be accessible for everyone. Most of all, she helps deliver confidence to singers through informal teaching methods and great sense of fun.

She believes in the power of choral singing, and the sense of community and good feeling it creates, and the proven associated health benefits we can derive

Valuable Resources

Liberty Singer: www.libertysinger.com

Liberty Singer Facebook: www.facebook.com/libertysinger

Kari Olsen-Porthouse Twitter: @libertysinger73

Email Kari at: [email protected]

 

 

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/enduringhealth

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.