Senior citizens take part in group music therapy session |30 May 2022

The music therapy session in full swing (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

A group of around 25 senior citizens gathered at the National Theatre on Thursday last week to take part in a group music therapy session organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. The session was led by two professional music therapists – Anastasia Verkhoturova and Aleksey Goloviznin.

The music therapy session began with a 15-minute receptive music session, a passive form of therapy where the participants were exposed to the therapeutic effects of the music.

This was followed by an interactive phase, where they played certain musical instruments. Musical performances were carried out by several performers who had attended private music therapy sessions themselves.

Mr Goloviznin then conducted vocal therapy and vocal yoga sessions, along with breathing exercises. The hour-long session ended with karaoke, where everyone joined in the fun.

Ms Verkhoturova and Mr Goloviznin are part of the company Scientific Music Therapy which has been in Seychelles since 2018. The purpose of the music therapy session is to relieve the effects of stress and boost the body’s immune system, using music and its elements.

“We absolutely loved the feedback and their participation in the process. We hope that everyone left here with a feeling of harmony with themselves and the world!” Ms Verkhoturova said.

She further added that the participants received mental and physical benefits from their session.

“When you practice those activities, you are doing correct breathing. There are particular muscles at work so your blood starts to circulate and oxygen comes to the blood. It’s changing your physical state,” she explained.

Ms Verkhoturova said they definitely want to do more music therapy sessions with other participants soon.

The programme officer at the Local Government, Loura Barra, said that they were happy to organise the group therapy session once approached by Ms Verkhoturova and Mr Goloviznin.

“I saw that it is important for the senior citizens to also be able to get this experience,” she noted.

She went on to add that a first session on Wednesday for district officials had more participation compared to the one for senior citizens.

Ms Barra mentioned that they are also targeting children to participate in group music therapy sessions but as they are in school, the plans will be finalised later on.

Sylia Ah-Time