Songs That Move – therapy
A ground-breaking programme of clinically relevant exercise for people living with neurological challenges; songs that move body and brain, with a focus on Parkinson’s.
We are working in collaboration with Neuro Heroes specialist physiotherapists, award-winning podcasters Movers & Shakers, and with generous support and seed-funding from Parkinson’s UK.
Watch our explainer video:
https://youtu.be/x3jsFxYbtio?si=6cUbNjK6rSOm8-Vg
Watch us work: see our first session with Gillian Lacey-Solymar
The programme works either as live interactive workshops or as online videos. Each video starts with an introduction to the song, the text brought to life with natural gesture. The song is then performed by pianist and singer. An exercise video can be played at the same time, with dancer Zenaida Yanowsky showing specific movements, both inspired by the words and carefully designed to meet a range of physical needs.
With £2,500 already pledged by Parkinson’s UK, we are looking to increase the seed-funding for our pilot programme to £20,000. This will enable us to produce a library of Songs That Move exercise videos, combining these powerful songs with carefully tailored exercise routines.
Please support our crowdfunder: Songs That Move
Watch us work: see our voice strengthening session with Mark Mardell
Watch our workshop for World Parkinson’s Day 2025:
https://youtu.be/5O78DnwFfRY?si=eNrahQn8OxWEZCVG
APHASIA
The options of subtitles, pictorial prompts and emboldened keywords is included to support those living with aphasia, a devastating language disability that is common post-stroke. Often called ‘identity-theft’, aphasia can be intensely isolating. Enabling access to these songs and their stories can be an immensely useful tool to engage with others.
Our aim is to provide access to a library of the filmed songs and their movements. The goal is to reach the broadest range of individuals whilst specifically serving those with Parkinson’s and aphasia, and to raise awareness of the effects of these two conditions.
PLEASE READ ON ABOUT OUR THREE MAIN PROJECTS:
Parkinson’s project
From an article by Mark Mardell, ex-BBC political journalist, Movers & Shakers
“…Stephen plays and Bibi sings. It is an exquisite performance, full of fragile power…”
“Then I’m up. It’s my turn. The music starts and I concentrate hard trying to mimic and mirror her movements, trying to remember the instructions: move my arms, leading with the back my hand, as though trailing it through water. Although my focus had to be fierce just to keep up, it feels rather blissful, slow and graceful. I am, of course, well aware the video will show only outward awkwardness and not the inner peace.
In the end it is just an old bloke waving his arms about a bit but it feels good, an achievement… I feel a sense of relief but a much greater sense of satisfaction, even joy. I wasn’t exactly agnostic about this idea in the first place. After all music is good, art is good and exercise is definitely good for Parkinson’s so in combination they can’t be bad… Nevertheless, the notion of “prescribing songs’ sounds whimsical, bordering on the eccentric. But I’m a convert. I can’t wait to discover what happens next. I have a feeling that whimsy works.”
Watch the video of the Movers & Shakers: We Will Survive
SAM stroke / aphasia project – Song surgery for people with Aphasia; Music for wellbeing
Collaboration with City University London and University of Michigan.
Led by Dr Sarah Northcott, Dr Abi Roper, Dr Katie Strong.
With Sally Vickers, Aphasia Reconnect and those with lived experience.
A series of workshops in-person and online, using song to support language rehabilitation, movement, identity and wellbeing.
Spinal injury / PTSD
Collaboration with Horatio’s Garden.
Using songs for visualisation and mental relaxation, channelling thoughts from trauma
Creative Team:
Bibi Heal – soprano
Stephen Barlow – pianist
William Tuckett – director
Dominic Best – film maker
Zenaida Yanowsky – dancer
Jane Rice-Bowen – producer
Supported by:
Song Surgery and Songs That Move have been generously supported by:
