DRUMS AS HEALING TOOL
Research has shown: * that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces feelings of well-being, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.
Other studies have demonstrated the calming, focusing, and healing effects of drumming on Alzheimer's patients, autistic children, emotionally disturbed teens, recovering addicts, trauma patients, and prison and homeless populations. Study results demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, fatigue, anxiety, hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, mental illness, migraines, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, paralysis, emotional disorders, and a wide range of physical disabilities. *
After more than 20 years of teaching drumming spanning Europe, The United States and Jamaica, I wholly agree with findings as I have witnessed amazing transformation with the healings associated with the vibrations of drumming.
Another positive observation and one which has become a mission of mine, is the connecting to one’s own internal Joy which happens through the vibration of the drum and which stays with the person long after the actual drumming experience. Drumming creates complete balance within our bodies, synchronizing the left and right hemisphere of our brains, tuning our biology and fixing our immune system which promotes self healing on a physical, emotional and mental level, which opens us up for a deeper self awareness.
Drumming provides a sense of connectedness and community and teaches us to work together by giving us an authentic experience of unity and physiological synchronicity. This allows us to feel what it is like to be synchronous in a state of preverbal connectedness.
Drumming helps with self expression and rebuilds emotional health allowing us to integrate and express emotions in a safe and healthy way thus aiding communication. Each person drumming is expressing themselves through his or her drum and listening to the other drums at the same time. Each person’s sound is an essential part of the whole, so we are forced to be present in the here and now and to be aware of self and alert to our surroundings. Only the vibration of the drums has the power to move each person to an altered state and keep them rooted to the here and now at the same time! Each person can drum out their feelings without saying a word, without having to reveal their issues
I am on my mission to use this beautiful ancient instrument to help bring healing to my country and ultimately to all of humanity to connect to our deeper self to connect with our internal Joy which in turn helps us to navigate through life in a healthy way towards our fellow humans.