why is "drumming" spiritually important to the yoruba?

What I love about the djembe is that at this point I dont have to think or concentrate. Maybe you can consider starting up a drumming circle in your area-benefiting yourself & others. We get energized, we get relaxed. Growing up taking music in high school, I failed terribly, the system was set up for failure. The lyrics reflect on the gritty parts of self awareness, and that kind of view on the world grounds the songs in a way that feels like catching up with an old friend whose quirks you don't mind . Im not a MD but I cant possibly imagine how a natural or synthetic drum head could hurt you. With drumming and yoga combined, the healing effects and positive benefits are exponential. Others feel the rhythms penetrate through their bodies. Id like to share my mission statement. Thanks for sharing the benefits with so many others! It is an activity that is good because it burns calories and it is fun. I am a hospice volunteer and these are the forgotten people. The band i play in ,classic rock you know. Copyright 2023 Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. My son is getting older and I want to get him a hobby! Ill have to keep that in mind and find some drum lessons he would like! Get fit. Percussion is an exciting and health boosting activity which is noted by the scientific community for its ability to alleviate modern day stresses. Thank you, Jean, a group of us in Eau Claire recently took a class and made our own drums. If it is okay I would love to quote you on my website as some further reading for my students and parents. https://www.scribd.com/document/28220586/Therapeutic-Effects-of-Drumming, My friend has been trying to get me to join a drumming circle for quite a while. The sound waves are awesome and produce healing, clarity, and stress relief often after just one session. My feelings grew very strong towards helping some of the survivors. I have been a drummer in many capacities for over 40 years. The sharing of traditional knowledge, including drumming and drum making, is done through the passing of teachings from knowledge keeper to learner. You can catch a glimpse here. I attended a drumming workshop with Sufi master Adnan Sarhan a few years ago, but did not pursue drumming or dancing at the time. Your experience will help so many people. My husband chuckled at my lack of rhythm, but I did get better over time. I just laughed. God bless you and the other people that also wrote in this column that they drum with the people who REALLY could use this. http://www.drumconnection.com. Google: primordial+rhythm+meditation for my website. I love it. I have since explored many other styles of Drumming and in 1994 found myself entrenched in the Drumming of the Native American Healers in my region of Canada. Sing on brotherPlay on drummer TommyPurpleHaze. Melanie. If ever you come to Australia we will happily run a drum circle for you. Belly dancers and African style or any kind of dancers are welcome. 7 Benefits of Drumming You Never Really Knew - Lifehack Drummer hand injuries - Skillz Drum Lessons And is very healthy. I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of benefits to drumming, especially that while drumming you have access to your entire brain. No, breathing the animal skins of drums cannot affect your health. 3. Even metronomes do it. "Drumming is associated with a lot of energy, a lot of strength, a lot of power and a lot of masculinity," Mutua says. Thanks for this article! The original idea was to organize Saddle Brooks first drum circle and bring together school age kids, getting them off the street and teaching them to communicate through the rhythm of the drum. I hope that many more medical professionals like yourself promote recreational drumming and its health benefits. The instructor was very good and I soon found I was drumming along in the circle with a great sense of rhythm and feeling of accomplishment. "Kumi-daiko" literally means a taiko ensemble that consists of various taikos. I now sage smudge my home too since attending these workshops as sage is regularly burnt there. Again, I experienced such profound relaxation at this evening outing. Everyone who came felt the vibe of goodness. I love it. It doesnt surprise me that this trend has come around now and is especially popular with women because drums put us in synch with Mother Earth. Thank you for popping that bubble for me. I am also a drumming facilitator in Australia. Modern Taiko History. Rhythm is anything that repeats itself in time: the moon cycling around the earth, sap rising in the spring, the pulsing arteries of the body. I am a 30 year veteran Afro-Cuban drum teacher. These are questions that have puzzled exercise scientists for some time, and studies have not confirmed one way or the other whether exercise will make your skin look younger. Thank you! My original facilitator also taught us Afro-Cuban rhythms which I love. Actually, if you search his name and the benefits of hand drumming that should also provide you with references for the health benefits of drumming. And teaching a toddler even the simple basic rhythm patterns is going to tremendously improve their motor skills and teach them to control their body much faster than their peers. BUT I LOVE IT. Why is drumming important? : drums - reddit.com I also join in a jam session at a local coffee shop once in a while, doing the same thing. Lifelong learning. 10 Health Benefits of Drumming: A Quick Guide One class l had set up for I was going to sing them a couple of songs while playing the drums, just to give them more inspiration on what also can be done while drumming. I am a professional drummer and health advocate African drums have played an important role in in traditional African communities for communication purposes like emergency meetings, announcing war, the beginning and finish of harvest seasons and the death of important people in their respective societies like kings and chiefs. And most importantly drumming is important because anything that matters to you becomes important. I now play in the loft usually when she goes out of the house. Good luck. Drumming, yoga, dancing and pottery to me are heavenly. The Importance Of Drums In African Tradition - The Guardian For more years, cultures around the world discouraged women from drumming and told them horrible things like, if they drummed, they would be barren, or it would make their eggs fry, or they would have stillborns. And, after graduating, found an African drumming class when teaching privately at a high school. Thanks for the very informative article. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5eBf2KwF8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5eBf2KwF8, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11191041, https://www.scribd.com/document/28220586/Therapeutic-Effects-of-Drumming, https://web.facebook.com/MCPS.Bathurst/videos/618667091615391/, https://www.facebook.com/lesfemmesdekissidugu/, Why Your Psoas Muscle Is The Most Vital Muscle in Your Body. I can attest to the benefits named above. While students were drumming and dancing one student asked if he wanted to say something on the mic. Id be curious to know if you were born left handed. Make new friends. If you've played in bands over the years, you probably already have a good idea of what you're . Thank You.*. Love this! FANTASTIC POST!!! I am 68 years of age and still enjoy playing a kit of drums even though my wife hates drums. Im excited!!!! In the ceremony, the beat of the drum is significant, as is the drum itself. Hopefully, that will erode the stigma of a hippy culture that drumming seems to conjure up (my Mom could never understand my love of drumming). Hard to keep your mouth in front a microphone while beating the far edges of a kit. However, other people who are more academic-minded will learn . My daughter did West African dance in college. His words Ill never forget, he said, I need the drums. We are doing more good for ourselves then just burning calories! Turns out they never even dated. Your email address will not be published. Sunset Beach Drum Circle (Sunset Beach, NC) | Meetup My mother introduced me to it and she loves drumming in a circle or anywhere, she is 81. In order to play jazz well, a drummer needs to develop hyper-sensitive listening skills to what is going on around them at all Back when I began this journey, little was known about the drum, although this is not quite right because the traditional earth cultures have been using this instrument for many thousands of years for healing and shamanic work (as we know). Marla As a Guide, I enjoy & appreciate the experience of all those in Circle. When I turned 29, I didnt want that to be my story at 30, so I took private drum lessons for a year. You strike me as someone who will not give up!!! So interesting. If you use netting, make sure it is taut and set at least 3 inches from the siding to avoid birds pecking through it. I felt like I had discovered the roots of all music learning and healing! After all, the water is playing, why shouldnt we? My body has been abused a bit through racing motocross, off-roading accidents, freeway motorcycle accidents, commercial deep-sea diving, ten years in the Army, drug rehab and eighteen years of physically fighting with the criminally insane while working at a state institution. It was magical and I miss it!! As a trained HealthRhythms facilitator, I have had the opportunity to put theory to practice and experience the results. Review: Paramore, 'This Is Why' : NPR The word rhythm comes from the Greek for flow. When chimps come to a waterfall they will often go nuts, pound on the resonant buttress roots of trees and swing about excitedly on branches. I actually linked back to this article from my blog, as I run a drumming website. Hello, i have a GOD GIVEN TALENT TO PLAY AND ENJOY THE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT. I ordered padded drum bags which fit perfectly so were ready to go to our next workshop. What a wonderful service you offer, Patty. People can enjoy a relaxing and energizing time by participating in the drum and dance circle or watching and listening to the variety of world drum rhythms. Performing drummers and dancers recognize how music and changes in music effect each other. Please can I ask a question on another subject: I have always been in synch with your teachings on age and do not allow my age to dictate to me at all. Students create music through a hands-on approach. Our community of drummers & dancers have grown now to crowds of up to 200 over the 10 years of existence. I have carried on a lineage passed down to me. And now, after a 15 year hiatus after a fruitless 6 year stint at community college, I have returned to finish for my BS in Alternative Medicine! Technically speaking, he wasn't very impressive at all. That was when god gave me a coach! I will share this post with my Facebook friends. (As the room will be closed and the A/C will be on).Please help me out. So I would say, it has NOTHING to do with your age. I never knew about all the wonderful things drumming can do. Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond's Husband Didn't Wear Neck Brace - Peoplemag It makes me happy to see percussion sounds being used in music therapy programs. lightly slap the back and sides of your upper neck for 10sec. "Bt drums, a very close relative of the dndn, use drum strokes as a code that translate into Yorb language," write the researchers in the study. Janice I admire you for your pole dancing. Example, every time we play La Bamba by Richie Valenz. 57 Interlaken Road I suspect you have a very creative and unusual brain structure. Yoyoka Soma: The Japanese Drumming Sensation - Professional Moron 1. Ashland, OR. What Are the Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance? Drumming is a great way to release stress. That's with the above clip of her matching John Bonham (whom many claim is the best . calories - Is vigorous drumming an effective exercise? - Physical Jaw. I do have a music and dance background, so drumming was not difficult for me to learn and its every bit as joyous as music and dance. Drumming can have positive effects on your health and may help with many conditions from stress, fatigue, and anxiety, to hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, mental illness, addiction, and even cancer. One of the few things we know about our universe is that everything in it is vibrating, is in motion, and has a rhythm. Woodpeckers declare their territories and seek mates by what is called "drumming". http://www.thevillagedrumLLC.com, Thank you dear Dr. N. This is such a life affirming piece. Drumming is so beneficial, Im glad you found a way to still partake in it, even if you are a self-proclaimed asocial introvert. on Halloween weekend at the first DRUMS from HEAVEN drum circle. For people with larger hands or a larger frame, Id go with a drum with a 14 head. And enjoy this service to humanity that you are providing! Art, Culture, and Music Therapy Teacher. The Lakota prayer songs we sing are amazing and my life has been changed for the better through participating. The people who come together at DRUMS from HEAVEN are all special. I understand why virtually all the drumming/spiritual/therapy venues are oriented in a social format but as an asocial introvert for 90 years, Ive been practicing an innovated water drum meditation for the past seven years that might interest anyone exploring solo spiritual drum meditation. The drum has been part of my Irish culture for millennia, the sound of the drum connects us to our mothers heartbeat, her first communication with us in utero and perhaps the one we need to get back to in order to heal mother/child history. My mom who sings in a choir of Angels at her church had a crush on the bands drummer. I very much need this type of therapy! In this article, I will discuss the importance of a drummer's impact on an ensemble and how having a musical approach can affect performance or recording. Your use of and/or visitation to the Web site signifies your agreement to CNIs Terms of Use and CNIs Privacy Policy. Hi Dr. Northrup, I was introduced to your work years ago by my sister, and have been following your insightful instagram posts for some time. Using my PC, a good mechanical keyboard, good quality headphones (or a good set of speakers), freely available on youtube drumless tracks of my favorite music and a program called DvDrum, I am having a blast sounding like I did with a full kit back in the day. Sorry Big Pharma but drumming is much safer and more effective. TM and Copyright @ 20012023 Christiane Northrup, Inc. All rights reserved. This leads to a deeper sense of self-awareness. Whether you're behind a drum set, hitting a djembe in a drum circle, or beating a marching band bass drum, drum therapy is a real thing. It was so interesting that his heart rate increased above 100 BPM just hearing the drums (not yet playing and marching). I moved to another city and it no longer fit into my space, but I had gotten pretty good at it. What an amazing story. I swear I went into a trance after listening to the drumming for about 1 hour. In defence of Ringo Starr - a masterful drummer and the Beatles' unsung It is joyful, stress relieving and so much fun. Mostly it involves CORE STRENGTH. Thank you Dr. Northrup for sharing your informed perspective! left. Syncopation brings excitement to music by playing with our expectations for where the beat should occur. Djembe? Ive noticed, as a result, my level of internal chatter and negative self talk is probably decreased by 50 to 25%. Please come experience DRUMS from HEAVEN! Thank you for the reminder to schedule another event. Wow! The drumming takes my brain to a whole other place. I am writing a dissertation on the experience of live music and its therapeutic effects. Just make sure you credit it to http://www.drnorthrup.com. Terms of Use.*. Great subject, Dr. Northrup. Any help and advice would be appreciated, I am in rural France. Sounds like a life changing service. Ive also started doing some hand drums at our community center. Holistic Healing: Body, Mind, and Spirit - Learn Religions Hi , My name is Margie. Learning Drums: The Top 10 Benefits of Drumming [With Infographic] Boosted immune system and more positive emotions. It's important when doing this to focus on the click and not the instruments. The steady beat of Theta drumming is a powerful tool for brain health because, by the very nature of its constant rhythm, it permeates the entire brain, bringing both hemispheres into rhythmic balance. Finally, drumming can induce a natural high by increasing Alpha brain waves. It makes a world of different. How Does the West African Talking Drum Accurately Mimic Human Speech 5 reasons Joey Jordison was one of the most influential - MusicRadar Looking forward to revisiting at sine point. 1. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. My name is Dr. Ron Neuhauser and I am a multiple award winning pro drummer from the California bay area, martial arts sensei, and retired mental health specialist (PhD in behavioral psych, BS in Org. I think this would be a great way for her to continue to learn and expand her mind and her skills, but also a way for her to learn a new skill. Fix the pain and the neuro-reflex issues, the body will stand up straight immediately. 10 Health Benefits of Drumming - Christiane Northrup, M.D. I have chronic pain from a pinched nerve (sciatic) in my back. Best of wishes with it. This is why the drum is played so often in powwows and spiritual and religious ceremonies. Dr. Marcus Smith, from Chichester University, recently concluded that an hour of vigorous drumming could burn between 400 and 600 calories. All rights reserved. The feeling came back about 5 years ago and I felt the need to play again wonderful! I know the vibrations of many drums can and do facilitate miracles, and even drumming alone in my backyard brings a level of peace and connectedness that few other things can. Ive purchased shamanic drums for us as a Christmas present to ourselves. I think its great for anyone actually. Why is the drum so powerful and what is an intentional drum circle? We (http://www.inrhythm.com.au) have just returned from 2 weeks of drumming sessions within remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory of Australia, working with the school kids. 5. Remo drums are good, too. There may be other known injury, these may contribute as well, and all of this may also cause a dystrophic state (kind of a neurology is in over its head so it freaks out in levels type of thing). And it uplifts those in alignment. Thanks so much for your article. The musician, who is 70, appeared on BBC Breakfast with his Genesis band members to promote the group's . I am desperate to play again after a year off because of the following symptoms. Hi, you can look on the HealthRHYTHMS facebook page for facilitators in your area, or do a google search. While some aspects of playing the drums tend to be fairly easy to grasp, other things may take years to get a grip on. I swear I always felt so relaxed after playing his drums. Temple Grandin? Thank you! 30 Remarkable Benefits of Drumming! | Drum Helper but after a few years it ended up in the back of her closet years Drum Sounds and Their Meanings | Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Keep spreading the word, da-da-dada dut-dut-dada-da. My first thought was How fun! Drumming makes your brain more efficient. My point is that I dont believe that you necessarily need to wield a full drum kit to feel the benefits. Drumming also functions in interspecific communication when prey animals drum to communicate to predators that they are too alert for a successful ambush. Its an interactive rhythmic entrainment intervention, that helps students: And you right. During this covid crisis and feeling very tense and negative, I looked him up on youtube. Senses are engaged unanimously in this type of learning. Research shows that drumming produces an elevated mood state, enhances immunity, and improves social resilience. Ill have to look into getting her a custom drum for Christmas as a way to get started! Connected to the physical part of drumming is also keeping your toddler fit. He wanted to have a percussion session instead of gym class, but I had an art project with another class. Neck and shoulder pain. But during this time I was able to join an all female drumming band (Batala) and every Saturday morning nothing else matters but hitting my drum. Since the drums don't produce any melodic notes, a drummer will take a more rhythmic approach to songs, providing beats and rhythms to benefit those songs. I have also been attending drum circles for a few years and have only just recently handcrafted my own drum and drumstick. I sing and drum too! West African drumming is my passion. That was 15 years ago and Im still an active participant. Hope to see you! Brilliant article and great reminder to follow the primal passion of our core. I can be tired and cranky and after a drumming class feel renewed. I just play! However, a drum circle is quite different. I see this especially with the ex-cons as they come broken and self-loathing often. All the the best to you on your drum journey. Please feel free to contact me and maybe we can talk about how I can assist your organization ! Everything you said about drumming is true. I am so happy for your Kristina! Not long ago I watched a video on social media showing a room full of women in a guided drumming class drumming and moving to their beats. He was kinda messed up BUT when she finally asked him about lessons for me (knowing he needed any extra money) that is when the magic started. I CRY AND FEEL HUGE ENDORPHINS. Part of karma, I suppose. Why do you think drumming is so male dominated? : r/drums - reddit I would think some people might get stimulated, and so this might not be a sleep remedy. The drummers from Mali were other- worldly. By accident, through a drum massage for chronic pain issues from Cyndi Boot from (www.rhythmicmemory.com), my ear opened up and I have been hearing from that ear ever since. I didnt know it at the time, but interestingly, this most heart-wrenching period of my life held the seed for my futuredrumming.