Exercises On Demand
Our video exercises will guide you through the basics of some operatic singing techniques. They can be used by anyone who has breathing difficulties – particularly those living with Long COVID.
Breath Cycle
Sing your way to better health
Kindly supported by The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust and Scottish Opera's Education Angels
Welcome to our guide to helping those living with Long COVID
Did you know that breathing techniques practised by professional opera singers can help those living with Long COVID and other respiratory conditions? Our programme so far indicates strengthened mental health and wellbeing, along with significant improvements in respiratory health.
If Long COVID is impacting your health, we want to help. Get practising with our exercises on demand, sing along with our Covid Composers Songbook - written by participants about their experience living with Long COVID, or register to take part in our weekly online sessions.
Winner of The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award 2025
Please note Breath Cycle is not a medically led programme and is delivered by trained opera singers. If you have any concerns about the suitability of the course please consult your doctor or medical professional.
Listen to composer Gareth Williams as he talks about Breath Cycle, and hear some of the highlights of the songs composed with Breath Cycle's participants, sang by David Douglas and Frances Thorburn at A Story of Healing: Breath Cycle on Stage in 2025
How it started
The Breath Cycle project first began in 2012, with Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service working together to explore whether learning classical singing techniques could improve the wellbeing of cystic fibrosis patients.
Due to the high risk of infection for those with cystic fibrosis, Breath Cycle was launched as an online project in 2013, providing on demand video tutorials and one-to-one singing lessons. This allowed participants to safely interact with each other and building new communities through feedback sessions.
In 2020, the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung function and mental health made the Breath Cycle team work on bringing the project back to life through the lens of Long COVID. Since then, the project has relaunched to include new video and audio resources, one-to-one song writing sessions exploring the participants' experiences of living with Long COVID - resulting in The Covid Composers Songbook - and a series of intimate performances showcasing these heartfelt and emotive songs in 2023 and 2025, including A Story of Healing:Breath Cycle on Stage.
Today, Breath Cycle II continues to bring together singers, vocal coaches, writers, composers, and choirs to collaborate with people living with Long COVID, helping them nurture their voice and creativity in a holistic manner.
The Covid Composers Songbook
A songbook written by our participants about their experiences during lockdown for anyone to use, sing along and contribute to. New songs are now available to listen.
Weekly Online Sessions
Join our relaxed weekly singing sessions to practise our stimulating vocal exercises and breathing techniques with our team of musicians.
Useful links
Your COVID Recovery (NHS)
If you are recovering from COVID-19 – or someone close to you is – you can find lots of useful information and resources on the NHS Your COVID Recovery website.
British Lung Foundation
A UK charity that researches lung conditions and provides guidance and support for those affected by lung conditions and breathing difficulties. Find out more on the British Lung Foundation website.
Join our Community Choir
We need your voice! Our Glasgow-based Community Choir meets weekly, singing a mix of opera, classical, popular, folk and world music.
Opera On Screen
Browse our growing collection of Scottish Opera films, including brand new commissions from contemporary music makers, re-workings of much-loved favourites and staged concert performances.
About Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera was founded by Alexander Gibson in 1962 and inaugurated with a production of Madama Butterfly at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.