Drumming has many enormous physical, mental and emotional benefits; It releases stress, enhances clarity and focus, helps us get into positive life rhythms, activates the creative and intuitive parts of the brain, trains us to listen and communicate, creates group bonds and gets our bodies moving! There have been many recent clinical studies that have demonstrated all these positive benefits, including reducing corporate employee burnout and enhancing the immune system!
How does a drum circle work?
A drum circle works because of the principle of "entrainment" - when a strong rhythm exists, the other rhythms around it fall into sync. Everyone can feel the pull of a strong beat, and can easily play along, provided they don't try too hard, essentially interfering in what is natural. The result is an experience in collaborative creativity that is accessible, inclusive and sounds really great!
From our earliest ancestors and throughout history there is ample evidence that in every society and culture, drumming has been an important and frequently sacred communal activity. Our first experience of rhythm, the rushing of blood and heartbeat heard in our mother's womb predisposes us to respond to the beat.
Drumming enhances focused meditation, balance, healing, team-building, interaction, endurance, timing, co-operation, concentration, and sharing. Drumming can increase your health: group drumming has recently been proven to heighten levels of immune cells called natural killer cells that seek out and destroy both cancer cells and cells infected by viruses. Drumming can access spirituality and power but most importantly drumming is FUN! Enjoy your place in the unbroken chain of those who drum with the spirit of cooperation, consideration, and respect.
Science is now verifying the therapeutic effects of drumming. A recent medical research study indicates that drumming boosts the immune system dramatically after just one drumming session. Other studies have demonstrated the calming, focusing, and healing effects of drumming on Alzheimer's patients, autistic children, emotionally disturbed teens, substance abusers, trauma patients, and prison and homeless populations. Study results demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, fatigue, anxiety, hypertension, headaches, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, and sleep and emotional disorders.
Health and Wellness - Group drumming brings a better sense of well-being and all around good health. This has been recently proven in a study done by neurologist Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Bittman gathered a group of 10 people and had them beat hand drums for an hour while a music facilitator conducted. Afterward, Bittman took blood samples. He found the drummers had heightened levels of immune cells called natural killer cells that seek out and destroy both cancer cells and cells infected by viruses. A control group that read in silence experienced no such upsurge.
Michael Winkelman from The Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, has concluded from a study using drumming circles with subjects suffering from substance abuse that:
"Drumming enhances recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma and reintegration of self."
The bi lateral nature of drumming makes it an excellent tool for strengthening the less dominant hemisphere of the brain.
