ENO Breathe: The Power of Lullabies in Healing

The English National Opera (ENO) has developed a specialized wellbeing programme called ENO Breathe, which utilizes singing techniques to assist individuals recovering from the effects of COVID-19. The initiative focuses on breathing re-training to help patients manage breathlessness and the anxiety associated with the virus.

Developed in collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare teams, the programme is delivered entirely online. It’s designed as a social prescribing, non-clinical intervention rather than a traditional choir or singing group. Because of its specific medical focus, the programme is currently available only to patients who have been medically assessed by a participating referral or post-COVID clinic.

The Role of Lullabies in Recovery

A central component of the ENO Breathe curriculum is the use of lullabies. Suzi Zumpe, a trained singer and the creative director for ENO Breathe, has stated that everything sung during the programme is rooted in lullabies.

Lullabies were selected for the programme because they are specifically designed to soothe and calm. From a technical and accessibility standpoint, they are short, memorable, and accessible to all participants, regardless of their previous experience with music.

The programme does not require participants to have any prior interest or experience in singing. Instead, it uses these culturally diverse songs as a gateway to exercises that support breathing control and provide tools for the self-management of anxiety and breath.

Programme Structure and Resources

ENO Breathe provides a structured path for participants to regain confidence in their breathing abilities through a series of digital touchpoints:

• An initial one-to-one online conversation with session leaders to determine suitability and explain the programme’s scope.
• Six weekly group online workshop sessions led by professional singers from the ENO.
• Access to bespoke digital resources, including audio and video materials, song sheets, and exercises recorded by the ENO.
• Post-programme weekly drop-in sessions where participants can revisit songs and exercises in a relaxed environment.

The primary goal of these interventions is to empower patients to manage their own recovery by equipping them with practical tools to handle the physical and emotional challenges of long COVID.

Context and Holistic Approach

The initiative aligns with broader advocacy for holistic approaches to long COVID recovery. According to research published via the NIH, there are few evidence-based interventions for long COVID, making supportive, holistic methods particularly important.

The World Health Organization has also highlighted holistic approaches, including singing and breathing, as methods for coping with the breathlessness and anxiety associated with the condition.

To support the programme’s reach, ENO Breathe has curated a playlist of lullabies available on SoundCloud, allowing participants and interested parties to engage with the musical elements of the breathing re-training process.