Laval's Pulmonary Choir helps patients with respiratory disease strengthen lungs through singing

Laval's Pulmonary Choir is helping people with breathing difficulties strengthen their lungs and voices while improving their quality of life—one song at a time.

Kinesiologist Chantal Denis and neuropsychologist Eva Nadon, the choir's co-founders, launched the program this year. It's among the few programs in Quebec working on breathing capacity through singing.

Participants live with a variety of respiratory conditions, including severe asthma and emphysema. Marie Salvas, a participant, was diagnosed with emphysema—a disease that develops when lung tissue destroys itself and loses elasticity, causing shortness of breath. "I love music, I love people, and I love to sing," Salvas said. "I didn't know it was going to help me that much. I feel mentally good, I feel physically good. It gives me a lot of breathing capacity."

Denis emphasized the connection between arts and health. "What a good way to treat, if you combine together arts and health," she said. "Music is really a true medicine for body and mind."

Participants highlighted the social and physical benefits. "I just love to sing and I know it really helps my lungs," said participant Diane Williams. "While I'm singing, I'm breathing alright." Fellow singer Francine Ranger added, "You become more social, you find a family. It's good for warm-up exercise. You want to breathe better. The songs bring you different rhythm, tone, harmony, melody."

The choir founders are encouraging patients to preserve progress made in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Sessions continue in the fall, once a week at the Centre du Sablon in Laval.