During the school year, my second grader studied Japan. He learned to eat with chop sticks, tie an obi on a kimono, write his name in Kanji and was basically electrified by the topic. The culmination was a visit to a Taiko Drumming exhibit where he not only got to listen but he also got to play one. His enthusiasm was contagious and probably raised my awareness to notice that our Wellness Community offered an evening drumming circle.
Frank Thompson of AZ Rhythm Connection
Knowing that the Wellness Community grounds their program offerings in research regarding health outcomes, I not only calendared the drumming circle but I also perused the medical studies that address recreational music making. Sure enough. One such study focused on drumming as a corporate wellness program. The results demonstrated enhanced mood, lower gene expression levels of the stress-induced cytokine interleukin-10, and higher Natural Killer cell activity amongst those who participated when compared to a control group that did not drum. The second study concluded that drumming is a complex composite intervention with the potential to modulate specific neuroendocrine and neuroimmune parameters. In other words, participation in a drumming circle can alleviate stress and strengthen the immune system.
These were reasons enough for me to pursue this but I had no idea what to expect. Frank Thompson, Founder of AZ Rhythm Connection leads this particular circle. In his van, he totes a modicum of percussion paraphernalia and it appears to bring him pleasure to share it with others. I sat in a circle of 20+ individuals none of whom I’d ever met. When Frank had us introduce ourselves by creating a personal drum roll, our reasons for being there were never duplicative. “I’m here to alleviate stress.” “I come as part of my overall wellness routine.” “I’m Native American and in my tribe, women are not allowed to play drums.” “I have MS and believe this can be part of my healing.”
What followed was an awesome sychronization of rhythm and spirit. Within a short period of time, perfect strangers had attained perfect collaboration. Our individual drum beats fell into a shared rhythm that helped beat back illness and create natural killer cells. And, regardless of the rhythms, the joy that erupted on the face of each participant as they pounded out their stress was clearly evident. In one or two cases, a drummer let loose a howl of satisfaction.
I’m not certain how often my schedule will align with the opportunity to attend the drumming circle but am certain that when it can, I will benefit.
Have you tried anything new lately that gave you a different perspective?
Agrigirl's Blog 
Llanes
/ June 7, 2011What a great story. My youngest son is now working in Japan, teaching English, the only place he could find a job after graduation. It all began with Taiko at elementary school and continued as he graduated from college with a minor in Japanese. Keep that interest going!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Your son’s story is pretty great too. Yes, my youngest has a genuine fascination with Japanese culture – he’s even taking seaweed in his lunch box!
nursemyra
/ June 10, 2011Have you bought him a Bento Box to take his lunch to school in? Jut type it into google images for a fantastic array of ideas
Tammy McLeod
/ June 11, 2011You know, that is a great idea! Will do.
Lisa H
/ June 7, 2011What a great idea! Once again, music is shown to have a healing effect (something I think we all somehow know instinctively). I hope you find the time to attend more drumming circles!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Me too Lisa. I found it fascinating.
Cindy
/ June 7, 2011What a great experience!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Yes, I suspect you might have these in South Africa also.
kateshrewsday
/ June 7, 2011Drumming is primeval: it matches our heartbeat: I’d love to see a scan of electrical activity in the brain when it’s happening, especially in a group.
This was such a new door to open, Tammy 😀 I will be thinking about it for the rest of the day…thanks, as always….
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Yes, in fact, I’m disappointed that I didn’t think to reference the heartbeat bit. It is really an authentic charge.
Tepary @ GrowFamilyGrow
/ June 7, 2011I heard a fabulous NPR piece once about drumming and heart health. I thought, I should do this for my heart. Maybe dance to it, maybe drum. Maybe I should do it?
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Maybe, yes. And I am going to look into the heart health connection. Thanks Tepary.
Robin
/ June 7, 2011My youngest son (now 26 years old) plays the drums. He’s very good, but it took hours and hours and hours of practice when he was growing up. I think that’s why I’m half deaf now. lol! I can, however, identify quite a few popular songs by the drum parts alone.
This sounds like a great experience (and much less stressful than listening to an 11-year-old pound on his drum set). 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Yes, although my 8 year old keeps talking like I might have to invest in a drum set or something!
Tokeloshe
/ June 7, 2011Wonderful post!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Thank you.
Kath (My Funny Little Life)
/ June 7, 2011Very cool thing, Tammy! I totally believe in the healing powers of music, and while I’ve never drummed, I play the piano a lot and have experienced some awesome improvements from it. I know it’s good for mental flexibility and memory, but what was absolutely unexpected was a sudden (within 2 or 3 months) healing of my elbow joint which has severe cartilage damage due to an inflammation and counterproductive treatment and was supposed to get worse gradually and would have to be fixated (i.e., sinews cut through) to stop the pain and ongoing inflammation. Now I don’t have any problems with it anymore, and I totally owe that to the piano. Another reason to just go on playing. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011That’s an amazing story and one that I hope you will share on your blog for others. I have some real shoulder issues and so maybe I need to find the right music therapy for them.
Kath (My Funny Little Life)
/ June 8, 2011Okay, if you think so, I’ll definitely share it! 🙂 (I also have turnip post coming up, don’t ever think I could forget that! ;))
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011definitely think so!
nrhatch
/ June 7, 2011We attended a drum circle in November. Very soothing . . .
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/bang-the-drum-slowly/
When we attend to the moment, we attend eternity. Bang the drum slowly.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011That was a beautiful post Nancy. Thanks for sharing.
E. Baron
/ June 7, 2011Drumming is very powerful. One of my favorite (and that of others, too) teambuilding / retreat activities with my staff was a drum circle. It was a really neat thing to do in a work situation—lots of laughs and then, beautiful collaboration. Alas, on the question of what I’ve done recently to change my perspective, probably not much! I’ll have to work on that!
Eleanor
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011I love that you did this for a team building. I think it’s a great idea – probably a bit silly and awkward at first and everyone comes away with a collaborative smile.
sweetlife
/ June 7, 2011I also, like kath believe in the healing powers of music. Good for you to take your son’s interest and try something new. I love how Children can inspire our lives daily.
sweetlife
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Oh, yes. I learn so much from them almost daily.
Debbie
/ June 7, 2011This was so beautiful Tammy. I love how you went and tried it . . .and found it to be worthwhile! Makes me wonder how many things are out there that would bless us and help us as alternatives to stress.
Something that we’ve been doing for awhile, so not new really, is horse therapy for my daughter. Only I feel like it ministers to me just as much. ha! Just being around the horses, petting them, brushing them, makes my life better.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Horse therapy is something that I’ve read about and I have a childhood friend who is supposed to be an expert in it now. That’s great.
montucky
/ June 7, 2011Interesting post! I hadn’t encountered that before.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Keep your eyes open for a drumcircle montucky!
Hannah
/ June 7, 2011There’s almost always a Taiko performance at the National Folk Festival here in Canberra; I love how it thrums through you. Good luck fitting it into your schedule! 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ June 7, 2011Thanks Hannah. I would really like to go see a Taiko performance now.
Hopie
/ June 8, 2011Wow, I wish there was a drumming circle near me! That’s awesome!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011Google it Hopie. It looks like you may have a couple of opportunities.
Rosa May
/ June 8, 2011I love beats and drums. Music is medicine. I cannot live without it!
Cheers,
Rosa
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011Yes, I’ve noted that you always have it on your site Rosa.
Sally Mom
/ June 8, 2011Awesome post, Tammy. In the spiritual community I study and practice, music, involving drumming and guitar plus, and voice, always begins our service, like most churches.
It brings out so much love and relieves so many burdens from our minds. It is exciting that your young man is turned on to this great instrument of sound. I am looking forward to hearing more.
Super blog!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011Thanks Sally. It’s time for that young man to select his instrument!
souldipper
/ June 8, 2011Tammy, these fabulous pockets of goodness that exist – how do we tap into them and enjoy their benefits?
Thank goodness for blogging. Becoming aware of the healthy offerings in our community is priceless.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011I hope you do have a drumming circle near by. I know you’d really enjoy it.
Simply Life
/ June 8, 2011taking a hike up a mountain always gives me a different perspective – it’s such a nice time to unwind from everything else and enjoy the sun!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 8, 2011That’s true and some of us who are kinesthetic learners actually think better when we’re moving.
Joan Z
/ June 9, 2011Last year, my 7th grade son Matt had to do a big project. Pick your topic and study it in depth. He made drums. First he took a class at a center like the one you describe. He made a drum from a wood ring w/dyed deer skin. It took all day and it is awesome. From that he decided to design his own. He made a whole set from various size clay flower pots and deer skin he bought on the internet. Clamped the skin down with an adjustable plumbing pipe clamp he got at the hardware store. Then studied the various sounds they make. We also have a whole drum set. Thankfully, piano is also a percussion instrument. It adds variety to the constant pa rum pa pum pum in my house. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ June 9, 2011Great idea to make a drum Joan. And, I never knew that piano is a percussion instrument but guess I should have.
Kathleen
/ June 9, 2011What a wonderful story! My daughter is in the Navy and plans to visit Japan at a later date. Drums can add so much to music………….blessings,Kathleen
Tammy McLeod
/ June 9, 2011I hope she gets to hear the taiko drums when she visits.
Rukmini Roy
/ June 10, 2011Such a great post! Music do have healing properties, yes.
Im no drummer, but im a singer and a grade 0 guitarist. I find it quite relaxing to sing and strum the guitar when im low or exhausted, after work on a weekday. It really lifts me up.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 10, 2011Don’t know what a grade 0 is but certain that you make beautiful music.
nancy at good food matters
/ June 10, 2011Last year, for his significant Zero birthday, I got Bill a Djembe (His interest in this drum had been sparked by the movie, The Visitor) I cannot tell you how much joy he gets from it–especially after he found a teacher and drumming circle. more than a stress release (which he desperately needed from his work) it stirs something ancient, primal; all the drummers creatively connecting at a soul level.
Tammy McLeod
/ June 11, 2011Oh, I forgot all about the Visitor and I loved that movie. Thanks for the reminder.
LL Cool Joe
/ June 12, 2011As a dj I’m very aware of the healing power of music. Drums and bass create a sychronization of rhythm and spirit. Wonderful.
Tammy
/ June 12, 2011I bet you are. It would be very cool if you could document what you see over time.
joanne
/ June 12, 2011It has been AGES since I’ve heard of drumming circles. I really never understood their purpose because, well…I guess I never cared enough to read about them. I got lost in your write up and now I’m very curious. Unfortunately, it’s doubtful that our area offers a drumming circle. It will be worth researching.
Tammy
/ June 12, 2011Remind me of where you live – I bet you’d be surprised. It is a really cool experience.
Lonely Wife Project
/ June 13, 2011What an awesome story! Unfortunately, the closest I get to healing is pilates.
Tammy
/ June 13, 2011Pilates is not bad but go listen to drumming sometime. You’ll love it.
ashrowell
/ June 13, 2011How awesome that you participated! I went to a Taiko Drumming show once and loved it. It was so mesmerizing. I imagine it would relieve stress.
Tammy
/ June 13, 2011Hope you can do it again sometime!
b r
/ June 15, 2011Wow! There is something truly magical about drumming–about all sounds, I suppose, but drums truly resonate and reverberate inside outside and all around you.
-b
Tammy
/ June 15, 2011Yes, it is magic at a soul level. The beat starts to match your heart beat.
Cheri Shanti
/ November 15, 2011Thanks for this great work on the healing power of drumming! I’ve been drumming for many years and thank the rhythm for keeping me young, vital and alive through life’s changes! Keep up the goodness!
Cheri Shanti
Author of Muse Power: How recreational Music Making Heals us from Depression
Tammy
/ November 16, 2011You too! Great blog!