Gratitude Day 5 Drumming

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to sit in a woman's drumming circle last night. For most of us it was the first time or perhaps the second or third for a couple but we all had an awesome time and actually played a tune by the end of the listen. This was all due to the expert guidance and encouragement of Isabella.

The Djembellas African Drumming Group - Rhythms for the mind, body and soul is Australia's first all woman group made up of 4 young, enthusiastic, vibrant woman who obviously receive great joy from drumming. Check our what they are up to on http://www.facebook.com/Djembellas

Karen Burge and Djembellas at the Woman for Woman Forum Newcastle Town Hall

In our mothers womb we hear the first sounds of the heart beating and the rhythm of breathing, no matter our race, gender, religion or belief systems this is true for everyone. The entire world is made up of rhythm from the orbit of the earth to vibration of atoms.

Drumming spans the globe in almost every culture you can find, from the shamans of Mongolia to the Minianka healers of West Africa, a form of drum which has been used in rituals, ceremonies, communications, dance, healing and for music itself.

Layne Redmond is recognised as one of today's most exciting performers of the frame drum, she has followed a path of specialising in small hand held frame drums played primarily by women in the ancient Mediterranean world. She has extensively researched the ancient playing styles and history of the frame drum in religious and cultural rituals culminating in her book 'When The Drummers Were Woman'.

It has been verified that the therapeutic benefits of drumming include boosted immune systems, feelings of well-being, accelerated physical healing, release from emotional trauma, anxiety and stress. Drumming can break down social barriers, give individual free expression, group co-operation and unity with others is achieved. Not to mention the wonderful exercise it is for the upper body.

Other research has shown the calming, focusing and healing effects of drumming on on autistic children, alzheimers patients, disturbed teens, drug addicts, prison inmates and homeless people. It is also a valuable treatment of asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, migraines  cancer, stroke, paralysis, multiple sclerosis and parkinson's disease just to name a few.

The physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain synchronises the two cerebral hemispheres as well as the frontal and lower areas of the brain producing feelings of insight, understand, integration, certainty and truth. As all parts of the brain are used when drumming it can double alpha brain activity producing feelings of euphoria and well being.

Given all the benefits it can't hurt you so give it a go.