Sing yourself to happiness

SING yourself to fitness and happiness - and stay young!

That's the invitation ahead of a Big Summer Sing workshop to be held on Saturday, August 7 at The Sacred Heart School in Mangate Street, Swaffham.

It runs from 10am-4pm and is for people who love to sing as well as those who think they can't.

Founder and facilitator of Sing For Well-Being Carol O'Neill said: 'Singing together is a great way of being part of something special. Even if you think you can't sing you will learn how to get the most out of your voice with exercises and games as well as singing beautiful songs that are taught by ear.'

'Lots of people think they are tone deaf because they were told at school that they couldn't sing but they're not, they're just lacking in confidence and need a little practise. Singing in choirs is the UK's most popular participatory leisure activity and improves physical and emotional well-being.

She added: 'Singing is as good as a gym workout. It's a great way to keep in shape because you are exercising your lungs and heart. Not only that, it makes your body produce feel-good endorphins, like when you eat a bar of chocolate. The good news with singing is that you don't gain any calories. Not only can it increase lung capacity, it improves posture, clears respiratory tubes and sinuses, and can sharpen mental alertness through greater oxygenation. Singing is also believed to keep wrinkles at bay, keeping you looking young as you're gently exercising the muscles in your face.'

People who enjoy the workshop may want continue in early September by enrolling on one of the 12-week Sing For Well-Being courses being held in Swaffham on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm, Snettisham on Wednesday mornings 10am-12pm and Sculthorpe on Thursday evenings 7pm-9pm.

For further information and to book a place people should call Carol O'Neill on 01328 838316 or e-mail carolone@homecall.co.uk.