drumming

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jade	25 Jun 2002
a friend just sent me this article. has anyone ever been in a drumming circle? i am going to start on next month and wanted to ask some questions. read on......... Headline:_ NEW Medical Study: Group Drumming Boosts Immune System _________________ A brand new medical research study indicates that group drumming boosts the immune system._ Published in the January, 2001, issue of Alternative Therapies, the groundbreaking study was performed at Meadville Medical Center’s Mind-Body Wellness Center, Meadville, PA,_ by a team of MDs using control groups and blood tests. Led by well-known researcher, author and cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, CEO of Meadville Medical Center’s Mind-Body Wellness Center, the study showed that group drumming actually increases cancer-killing (NK) cells which help the body combat not only cancer but other viruses, including AIDS._ In their findings titled Composite Effects of Group Drumming Music Therapy on Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune Parameters in Normal Subjects, they found that one group drumming method in particular correlated with increase in NK cell activity, Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK) cell activity and chemical changes that together signal a strengthening of the body’s natural immune response and a direct connection between the external senses and the natural immune system._ (For details of this research study see www.amc-music.com/drumstudy.)According to Dr. Bittman, “Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin…When our hands connect with a drum that vibrates with our energy, vitality…and unity, we become whole again.”_ Dr. Bittman’s weekly radio program, Mind-Body Matters, is syndicated nationwide on NPR. For more on Dr. Bittman: www.mind-body.org/bittman.htm _ This new medical research follows recent biofeedback research showing that even brief heartbeat drumming can double alpha(a light meditative brainwave) and reduce stress._ We now know that stress depresses the immune system and has been linked to nearly all diseases._ Drumming has also been used successfully with Alzheimer’s patients to focus attention, with war veterans to end trauma, with addicts in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, and with prison and homeless populations to enhance self-esteem._ Progressive corporations like Motorola, AT&T and Levi-Strauss have drummed with middle management to promote team spirit building. Widely published research also indicates that playing musical instruments increase children’s learning abilities._ This appears especially true of those instruments that can be played intuitively, like the drum._ Qualitative studies have shown that drumming enhances right-brain functions such as intuition and creativity. “The beauty of drumming as opposed to other activities is that you can take it anywhere, teach it in only a few minutes and offer it to groups of ill and well people alike,” Bittman_ says._ “Composite drumming enables people to enjoy myriad psychological and physical benefits._ While immersed in this form of music making, their tension is rapidly transformed into a joyful, moving and enlivening experience._ I believe group drumming should become an integral component of whole person care.” Drumming circles are part of the Golden Light Creative Energy programs at the Golden Light Centre for Well-Being._ They are also included in a program, Inner Alignment Solutions for Business offered this fall at Golden Light Centre by Joy Ross, Certified Feng Shui consultant and Jane Booth, BA, CSW, Facilitator of Golden Light Creative Energy programs. “The drum is the Great Spirit’s favorite instrument That’s why we were all given a heartbeat…”_ Mano, Navajo Elder Why is this ancient ritual practice emerging as a major healing tool in the age of technology? Feeny Lipscomb, founder on the non-profit All One Tribe Foundation in Taos, New Mexico offers the following insight. “Dreams are the way the unconscious speaks to the conscious mind._ Ritual is how the conscious mind. Ritual is how the conscious mind speaks back._ One-side conversations are unhealthy for the psyche, which craves response. New thought writings on addiction suggest that our souls are starved because our lives are devoid of ritual._ We keep trying desperately and unsuccessfully to feed this hunger with food, drugs, sex alcohol, work, shopping, gambling, etc._ Drumming is one of the most accessible forms of ritual because drumming along with our own heartbeat is so natural._ It calms, centers, and reconnects us with our deeper selves”_ For current research, articles on drumming and wellness, see www.allonetribe.org._ All One Tribe Drums, made by Native Aboriginals and artists are available at The Golden Light Centre for Well-Being Inc. Call 743-4848 for drumming information, programs and circles.

zorya	25 Jun 2002
i've been, several years ago, everyone met under the full moon, at one of the city parks. now i drum by myself or with my children. it would be nice to find a circle in my area. great energy! as i understand it, you need to drum at a fairly fast rhythm to get the health benefits. i think it's 4-6 beats per second, but i may be wrong on that. (maybe your article has that, but my link didn't work) i also drum, to help induce a state, inducive to journeying. in that situation, i start slow and increase tempo.

catlin	25 Jun 2002
How interesting, I bought myself a tam tam on an African craft market this weekend in Heidelberg and now I find out here that I can increase my health with drumming! Great!

Pollux	25 Jun 2002
WOW!!! Thanks Jade! :D This is worthwhile info for a Witch-Doctor to be. ;) I don't have drumming experiences, unfortunately; but when there's a rhytm thereby, I just start to move. I can't stop it. Dancing calms me a lot: most of my Rituals consist of chants and dances. Yet I can see very well the association stated between heartbeat, psyche, immunitary defenses and well-being. Perhaps it simply is a matter of vibes I've said it all with this magic word I think :) Interacting with vibes is healthy. I just feel it when I embrace my mum :P I hope i will be able to join a druming circle. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to share a more inner self, and make great friends too. :)

jade	25 Jun 2002
i want to get some drums and start using them with my 'temper tantrum' queen (3 years old). perhaps it will assist her in calming herself? in light, jade

Kaz	25 Jun 2002
i never used those "ancient" model drums, only the ones you see on stage in gigs, the ones you play with them sticks. i had a boyfriend loooong ago, he played drums in a band, so i learned to play them. if you start playing and you loose yourself in it, it's a great experience. you need to experience it, hard to explain, but it's really great. kaz

zorya	25 Jun 2002
jade, it works very well for my daughter (and my son) especially if it's just two of us. but if the problem is because she and my son are umm.......lets just say, not getting along, lol. then it becomes, one telling the other how and at what tempo to play (forget my lead), each getting louder and..... you know how it is. :D

Moonklad	26 Jun 2002
I discovered drumming several years ago and it is one of my favorite ways to meditate. I often use it in magick to raise energy as well. I drum alone sometimes but I also host drumming circles at my house about once a month. We usually build a fire and everyone brings drums and other musical instruments (rattles, diggeridos, tamborines etc) It always gives me such a primitive feeling. We also incorporate chanting into our musical meetings as well. I highly recommend drumming to anyone. As for all the benefits you mentioned in the article..sounds logical to me. I know it makes me feel great. blessings, Moonklad

lunalafey	26 Jun 2002
In my part of the woods, off in the distance, one can hear dumpdeeddeeedomp. There are places in town where the drummers go for the acoustics. In about a month there will be a festival and for 72 hours straight, some where, some place there is a circle or 2 or 3. Some of them are 30 drums or better, average is 10 or 15. I had a cat that traveled with me, antisocial critter he was. He ended up kickin' back on my partners knee while he sat in and drummed. The Native American say that the drum is used to connect with the heartbeat of Mother Earth and bring one to the true rhythm of this Earth walk. This all bring to mind a few lyrics...everyone has a song, God gave us each a song, that's how we know who we are, everyone has thier song. We have come, heed the drum, the land trembles with dancing......makin' a noise in this world.....

Pollux	26 Jun 2002
...DRUM TOO!!! UAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! :'( Now, please, close this thread because you are making me go crazy!!! I want to DRUM TOO!!! :'( Wow Moonklad, I really envy you!!! That must be a great experience! I have noticed that Wicca is getting more and more widespread, and HEAR HEAR I have found some other wiccans of my age in Naples. I hope that, if we manage to group up and start something, we can include drumming too... I imagine myself at moonlight, in the woods close my house, and all of my friends joining, drumming, singing... It would be great... *I have a dream* AND LUNA!!! WOW!!! What a beautiful message! I loved it!!! The beat of the Mother... :) thanks!!! :*

Umbrae	26 Jun 2002
I want/need a good drumming tape/CD. Recommendations?

zorya	26 Jun 2002
don't have a lot of drumming cds, but two of the ones i do have, i love. both by mickey hart; planet drum and at the edge. very much world music. excellent musicians. a lot of fun to drum with.

The drumming thread was originally posted on 25 Jun 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.