Body, Mind, Spirit, Community
Benefits of Drum and Dance Circles
Physical
Exercise
Lowers blood pressure
Improves immune system function
Mental
Reduces stress
Produces positive emotions
Reduces burnout
Exercise and stimulate creativity
Social
Creates opportunities to meet new people
Deepens connections with community
Reduces loneliness
Publications and Articles
Recreational music-making modulates natural killer cell activity, cytokines, and mood states in corporate employees.
Recreational music-making modulates natural killer cell activity, cytokines, and mood states in corporate employees.
Drumming program helping Vietnam veterans affected by PTSD
Drumming Program helping Vietnam veterans affected by PTSD
A groundbreaking study in suburban Melbourne is using simple drum beats to help Vietnam veterans heal the emotional scars of combat.
Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery
Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery
The findings provide support for the conceptual notion of ‘creative practice as mutual recovery’, demonstrating that group drumming provides a creative and mutual learning space in which mental health recovery can take place.
From: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13612-016-0048-0
African drumming: a holistic approach to reducing stress and improving health?
African drumming: a holistic approach to reducing stress and improving health?
Neuroscience reveals how rhythm helps us walk, talk — and even love
Neuroscience reveals how rhythm helps us walk, talk — and even love
From: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/neuroscience-reveals-how-rhythm-helps-us-walk-talk-and-even-love-1.5550722
Social-emotional learning through drumming intervention
Social-emotional learning through drumming intervention
Scores on the seven social development domains ranged from 7.2 to 7.8, indicating positive change during the 10-week period for most students. Across all domains, teachers rated between 3% and 13% of students with no change. Using the total score, more than 93% of students were rated with some degree of positive change.in the module Advanced settings.
Source: http://approaches.gr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Approaches_FirstView_a20181112-stgeorge.pdf
Improves Our Immune System. Reduces Cortisol, and Boosts Two Types of Cancer Fighting Cells
Improves Our Immune System. Reduces Cortisol, and Boosts Two Types of Cancer Fighting Cells
A 2001 study published in Alternative Therapies and Health Medicine indicates that drumming circles boost the immune system. Led by renowned cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, the study demonstrates that group drumming actually increases cancer-killing cells, which help…
Transcendent Experiences
Transcendent Experiences
Regrows Brain Matter
Regrows Brain Matter
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Huntington’s Disease found that two months of drumming intervention in Huntington’s patients (considered an irreversible, lethal neurodegenerative disease) resulted in “improvements in executive function and changes in white matter microstructure, notably in the genu of the corpus callosum that connects prefrontal cortices of both hemispheres.” The study authors concluded that the pilot study provided novel preliminary evidence that drumming (or related targeted behavioral stimulation) may result in “cognitive enhancement and improvements in callosal white matter microstructure.”
The traditional healing properties of the drum merge with the latest research from the fields of neuroscience and trauma informed care.
The traditional healing properties of the drum merge with the latest research from the fields of neuroscience and trauma informed care.
As a physician focused on integrative medicine within the traditional healthcare setting, I’ve had the opportunity to offer music as a therapeutic intervention to our patients suffering from some of the most challenging illnesses imaginable. Not surprisingly, music at the Mind-Body Wellness Center has evolved into one of the most appreciated and innovative interventions of our disease-based programs for individuals with cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes – the principle causes of healthcare expenditure, disability and mortality in our nation.
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Testimonials
Natalia
While his ability to express music is a high mastery, he makes music so accessible, allowing to understand, to feel it as something so innate to all of us! What i love the most, one does not need to be a musician to benefit from his ways of sharing musical experience! You will for sure discover the art of listening to music. — Natalia
Amy
I felt especially interested in joining because of the way he prepares and guides participants by pointing out what we should pay attention to in the process and also opening up for group feedback. By doing this and by offering a consistent weekly practice he shows lots of wisdom and experience to lead this kind of practice. — Amy