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. My first thought was “How fun! I want to do that!” I mean, who doesn’t want to feel like a rock star?
Cardio drumming classes, such as Drums Alive and Pound, have been around for a few years. But, the benefits you receive when you take this type of class are so much greater than those of your average aerobics class. For one thing, everyone is smiling and having a ball! It doesn’t surprise me that this trend has come around now and is especially popular with women because drums put us in synch with Mother Earth. In fact, in ancient cultures sacred drumming was performed by women.
Drums have been used in every culture for many purposes from religious rituals and other ceremonies, to sporting events, and as a way to communicate or signal. Shamans used drumming as a means of reaching an altered or trance-like state so that they can connect with the spirit dimension. Drumming has also been used therapeutically since ancient times.
Your Brain on Drums
Drumming is a great workout for your brain and actually can make you smarter because when you drum you access your entire brain. Research shows that the physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain actually synchronizes the left and right hemispheres. So, when the logical left hemisphere and the intuitive right hemisphere of your brain begin to pulsate together, your inner guidance system – or intuition – becomes stronger.
And listening to drum sounds regularly can have the same effect as drumming itself.
The sound of drumming generates new neuronal connections in all parts of the brain. The more connections that can be made within the brain, the more integrated our experiences become. This leads to a deeper sense of self-awareness.
Drumming also appears to synchronize the lower areas of the brain (non-verbal) with the frontal cortex (language and reasoning). This integration produces feelings of insight and certainty.
For these reasons therapeutic drumming may be a powerful tool in helping retrain the brains of people who have some level of damage or impairment, such as with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), after a stroke, or where there is neurological disease such as Parkinson’s.
Finally, drumming can induce a natural “high” by increasing Alpha brain waves. When the brain changes from Beta waves (concentration) to Alpha waves, you feel calm and relaxed.
As such, Alpha waves can also produce feelings of well-being and even euphoria, which may help people who suffer from mental illness, such as depression and anxiety.
This same Alpha activity is associated with meditation and other integrative modes of consciousness.
10 Health Reasons to Start Drumming
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.
Here’s why drumming is good for you:
- Makes you happy. Participate in a drum circle or take a cardio drumming class and you will see how happy it makes you. Drumming releases endorphins, enkephalins and Alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with general feelings of well-being and euphoria.
- Induces deep relaxation. In one study, blood samples from participants who participated in an hour-long drumming session revealed a reversal in stress hormones.
- Helps control chronic pain. Drumming can certainly serve as a distraction from pain. And, it promotes the production of endorphins and endogenous opiates, which are the body’s own morphine-like painkillers.
- Boosts your immune system. Studies show that drumming circles boost the immune system. Barry Bittman, MD, neurologist and President of the Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute, has shown that group drumming actually increases natural T-cells, which help the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including AIDS.
- Creates a sense of connectedness. Drumming circles and group drumming classes provide an opportunity for “synchronicity” in that you connect with your own spirit at a deeper level while also connecting with other like-minded people.
- Aligns your body and mind with the natural world. The Greek origin of the word “rhythm” is “to flow.” Drumming allows you to flow with the rhythms of life by simply feeling the beat.
- Provides a way to access a higher power. Shamans often use drumming as a means to integrate mind, body and spirit. They focus on the whole body and then integrate the healing at both the physical and spiritual level by drumming, which connects spiritual forces.
- Releases negative feelings. The act of drumming can serve as a form of self-expression. You can literally drum out your feelings. When held, negative emotions can form energy blockages. The physical stimulation of hitting the drums can help remove those blockages. Drumming has even been used therapeutically to help addicts deal with their emotions.
- Puts you in the present moment. While drumming you are moving your awareness toward the flow of life. When you are flowing with the rhythm of life you cannot be caught up in your past or worrying about your future.
- Allows for personal transformation. Drumming stimulates creative expression. When you drum in a group, you not only get to self-express, but you get feedback from the other drummers. It’s the equivalent of talk therapy! Drum circles provide a means of exploring your inner self, and expanding your consciousness while being part of a community.
Students enjoy the interactive therapy session that reduces, tension, stress and anxiety, and is highly beneficial for those with; ADHD, ADD, Autism, and neurological disorders. It’s an interactive rhythmic entrainment intervention, that helps students:
-socially
-creativity
-focus
Students create music through a hands-on approach. Performing drummers and dancers recognize how music and changes in music effect each other. (reciprocal learning)
Senses are engaged unanimously in this type of learning.
Growing up taking music in high school, I failed terribly, the system was set up for failure. I’ve eliminated this type of teaching style from my program. I don’t have any formal training in music, but get asked to do work for people with letters after their name. It’s a privilege to utilize my artistic and music abilities to help students.
Recently at a Special Needs Conference I’ve had a chance to meet and talk with Temple Grandin, I gave her my methodology behind my music program, she told me, “you could do good in a kids life”. That was one of the best compliments I’ve ever got from such an inspirational person. That was a confirmation to me that I was also doing a good job.
I look forward to doing more good work in the neerby communities if any are interested. I recently moved to the United States, between Detroit and Port Huron Michigan.
Art, Culture, and Music Therapy Teacher
Chris
Thank you for your contributions, I am a fan. I am a 30 year veteran Afro-Cuban drum teacher. My work had morphed into therapeutic drumming and I agree with your 10 benefits. I work with special needs people in many areas including ex-cons, which I love. Math skills increase with drumming over time as do all mental functions. Also a sense of self-confidence. If the teacher or facilitator is aware, she/he will draw out the participant’s genius, whatever level they are at, and foster their contribution to drumming as something of value. I see this especially with the ex-cons as they come broken and self-loathing often. Given a little encouragement they brighten up, lighten up and have an experience of being worthy and appreciated. I love my work and the opportunities I am given to serve.
Thank you.
Patty Aulik
Director, RhythmSoul Drumming
Ashland, OR
Research grants if your area. The state of local Arts council is a place to start.
Best of luck.
Patty Aulik, Director
RhythmSoul Drumming
Thanks for the very informative article.
I love drumming. I play in a couple of Samba bands and I am establishing a project where I deliver facilitated drum circles to various at-risk groups.
Do you have any references for the studies which you mentioned? I ask because I am compiling some literature which demonstrates some of the benefits of drumming and I wish to include as much evidence as possible.
Best wishes,
Elk
Great Article!!
~Lonnie L. Jones
Certified Reiki Master and Drummer
Thank you Christiane for sharing this!
I am a professional drummer and health advocate
I am obsessed w the health benefits of drumming!
I offer an online program that teaches people how to play the frame drum – an ancient women’s drum – and have included this writing in my program!
Thank you!
Marla
http://www.marlaleigh.com
I now play in the loft usually when she goes out of the house. It feels absolutely great!
I started playing drums at an early age and played semi-pro for 10 years and sold my kit of drums aged 25 then I met my wife in 1977.
The feeling came back about 5 years ago and I felt the need to play again – wonderful!
The pain part… regarding chronic pain, not acute injury- we only feel pain that is second third or fourth tier; our system is designed to block the primary pain by avoidance, distortion, etc.. so the pain that is causing the distorted posture is not felt by you directly and if the posture involves a forward and or rotated head we have a short list. Forward and/or rotated head posture is pain from the brainstem and above, or neuropathic pain. The good news is there are two primary issues that are usually found here, jaw pain and upper neck (c1,c2) pain. Other issues from below may also contribute, like neuro reflex info from the feet, hips, gut, etc.. but those are a separate conversation. 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 it’s head so it freaks out in levels type of thing).
Fix the pain and the neuro-reflex issues, the body will stand up straight immediately. The issue is finding it; without a series of convoluted tests we can grab low hanging fruit (jaw and neck).
Jaw. Jaw pain is easily remedied in the short term for testing reasons. stick a tongue depressor across between your teeth, or two or three- (try each variation) and this should turn off (this is temporary for testing sake ) the jaw loop.
Neck. There are fibers that will, when stimulated, use of the pathways pain uses to travel up it’s messages. We want to use of the phone lines so pain gets a busy signal- caveat, it works for about 3 minutes. lightly slap the back and sides of your upper neck for 10sec. now stick in the tongue blades, now stand up… straighter? on heels more? then you located primary issues that need addressing.
the treatments and options past that are a bigger conversation, as there is a lot of useless stuff out there, but atlasprofilax or nucca / AO chiro will fix the upper neck however you may need pt as well for the whole thing…and a there are a few therapies that will fix the jaw, most are temporary however you can just drum with a bite guard of the same thickness and it will not cost 5k and these. If you are having sleep breathing issues like hypopnea or apnea (take an oximetry test or buy a contec o2 monitor on eBay ) and have low O2 during the night the upper neck tension and jaw tension will continue, another separate conversation… hope that helps as a framework for guidance.
Thanks and best,
Wendy Miller
https://www.scribd.com/document/28220586/Therapeutic-Effects-of-Drumming
I have also noticed that if I don’t drum for a while, I get depressed.
The Thundergods of Portland play very hard, beside the Willamette River, all year every Sunday night. Peace, love, joy and drum.
Most specifically within the past five or six years I’ve started playing very regularly with drummers were better than me. So that means usually once or twice a week for two hours I am totally concentrating On my timing and the pattern on playing. That puts me told me in the present moment and absolutely prevents me from thinking about the past or worrying about the future For the whole time that I’m playing. I’ve noticed, as a result, my level of internal chatter and negative self talk is probably decreased by 50 to 25%.
My son bought a drumming kit as a teenager, and I used to sneak into his room when he wasn’t at home and play his drums. I swear I always felt so relaxed after playing his drums. My husband chuckled at my lack of rhythm, but I did get better over time.
Then I bought a jemba (spelling?) for my son. It turned out he didn’t like it because of the tone, but I took it to a local jemba drumming circle that was being held in the community. 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. The connection you feel to others in the drumming circle must also be good for mental health. Again, I experienced such profound relaxation at this evening outing. I slept so deeply after it. I would think some people might get stimulated, and so this might not be a sleep remedy. However, until you try it you won’t know. I have gone to a few drumming circles with different leaders. Many provide the drums for beginners, so this wouldn’t be a barrier to joining. Thanks so much for your article. It motivated me to get out and go drumming again.
THE HISTORY OF “DRUMS from HEAVEN”
DRUMS from HEAVEN became a reality on October 29’th, 2005.
The original idea was to organize Saddle Brook’s 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. As the building blocks were being put into place to form our new little community, a devastating storm hit the southern United States. Hurricane Katrina blasted through Louisianna and other southern states causing horrifying damage and loss of life. My feelings grew very strong towards helping some of the survivors. It was decided we would now do our first drum circle as a huge benefit and raise money to send to school age kids and their families in need. I felt like we were doing a heavenly deed, alas, the name DRUMS from HEAVEN was born. Through the efforts of about 100 people, drummers and or dancers alike, we came together for an extraoidinary night of percussion. We were able to raise $1500.
on Halloween weekend at the first DRUMS from HEAVEN drum circle. Everyone who came felt the vibe of goodness.
Our community of drummers & dancers have grown now to crowds of up to 200 over the 10 years of existence.
Drum circles have come a long way over the last 20 years. They are showing up all over the place. We have gone way beyond the campfire drum circle! There are many new people entering the drumming community as it evolves into many new areas in society. It makes me happy to see percussion sounds being used in music therapy programs. I’ve used it for special needs students. There are Hospitals who have therapeutic programs which involve drumming and the use of percussion instruments as part of their therapy.
For those of us who have experienced a drum circle we know the rewarding feeling we all get when we participate. We get energized, we get relaxed. We forget about our busy lives while we drum. Some of us meditate and focus on their inner being. Others feel the rhythms penetrate through their bodies. Some of us connect through drum and dance. The most important thing we are doing is communicating and making one another feel good.
What is DRUMS from HEAVEN? The people who come together at DRUMS from HEAVEN are all special. They are YOU! We are people who care about other peoples needs. We drum and dance for the fun of it, we make each other happy and while we do this we try and help raise money for a worthy cause. We are Heavenly drummers!
A typical DRUMS from HEAVEN usually features a very entertaining interactive free style drum circle welcoming anyone to join in with no drumming experience needed. Some events are mixed in with short cultural performances. 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. Belly dancers and African style or any kind of dancers are welcome.
DRUMS from HEAVEN has provided venues for the purpose of raising funds for selected charitable causes. All funds raised, minus costs are turned over to that charitable need. Over the past 10 years, I am proud to say we have raiser over $60,000 for a variety of needy families and worthy organizations. Please come experience DRUMS from HEAVEN!
Sing on brother…Play on drummer… TommyPurpleHaze
We have the best time, everyone in class is great and I’ve become a complete drumming junkie! I’m there four times a week and it has truly, changed my life!!
You can go to your local music store or purchase a drum online at http://www.x8drums.com. It’s important to get the right size drum and there are videos on the X8 Drums site to help you with that. I use a Djembe with a 12″ head (That’s the diameter measurement of the top of the drum.). For people with larger hands or a larger frame, I’d go with a drum with a 14″ head. Most of my drums are made by Toca percussion. Remo drums are good, too. I do drumming events and drum therapy in the Raleigh, NC area and I do private sessions virtually as well. There are 2 women I know of in Florida, however. Check for groups on MeetUp.com.
http://www.nadiyanottingham.net
I visit people’s horses and drum fro them in the UK. The healing experience for the horse is an incredibly powerful and direct one. They carry both emotional and physical stress in the bodies, working with the drum is a very non-invasive way of providing healing. Their reactions can range from meditative to curious and playful interaction. I consider myself privileged to share these times. I totally concur the benefits above, on their behalf too.
Thank you for sharing this work.
If you’d like to become a trained drum circle facilitator, you can obtain training through HealthRhythms (www.healthrhythms.org. Might only be in the US, though,). You can also try Christine Stevens, http://www.ubdrumcircles.com (She is affiliated with HealthRhythms), or Google Jim Donovan. Both Christine and Jim offer online training. Arthur Hull has training as well. I am also a member of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (www.dcfg.org). Good luck and drum on!
I’ve been playing over 20 years. It’s awesome and one of my absolute favorite things in life. I got my niece and drum when she was eight years old and taught her a few things… Including the handover hand pattern which require should keep alternating between your right and left hand She used some …. but after a few years …it ended up in the back of her closet years…
A few years later when she was 15, and there’s stepmother was in the process of dying from cancer… Claire starts his drumming on the tabletop a very fast and well executed handover hand. I was amazed because I knew she hadn’t been actively drumming in a while. She just said to me oh I just do this in study hall all the time ….. I just laughed. I know drumming is healing and that pattern was in the back of her head and she brought it out at a time when she needed it.
We have maintained the same Native American-based drum circle in south Florida for over ten years now, as well as others. While we are ceremonialists, the benefits you cite from social drumming are present in this type of circle as well. In addition, at a point during the ceremony I will offer drum healing to those who have interest. Rather than take up space here, if you are interested in some of the experiences of participants, follow this link:
https://mixedblood.info/To_Drum_article.html
You will also read about the protocols and benefits, as well as what qualifies me to do this ceremony and others. Come join us!
I have been drumming and making music with Music For People – musicforpeople.org for the last three years and it has changed my life. What a joy! Also, please check out Mary Knysh’s website: http://www.rhythmicconnections.com
She is a goddess of joy who inspires everyone around her with her drum facilitation and improvisation work!
You’ve written a wonderful expose on the therapeutic & social benefits of drumming. My drumming partner, Diana Young (who is also a Certified Reiki Master Teacher and Certified Eden Energy Medicine practitioner who incorporates her focusing exercises to all our classes) and I created the Young Fish School of World Drumming in 1997 and have been conducting hands on educational and therapeutic global drumming programs for K-12, community centers, all populations with special needs, etc. We live in RI and are on the Artist Rosters of RISCA/The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, RI Teaching Artist Center, VSA of RI/Very Special Arts for children & teenagers with special needs as well as the NEST grant roster/NEFA’s New England States Touring grants. We have found those with behavioral issues, including teenagers in recovery, benefit greatly from drumming … While in session most children, teens and adults with behavioral issues are far calmer without incident … We would love to share our experiences with you. You can get in touch with us at dianayoung@youngfishschool.com or rafish@youngfishschool.com … We will create a new Website soon … Thank you so much for your highly informative feature on the positive empowerment people can attain from drumming, RA Fish / Bob
I hope that many more medical professionals like yourself promote recreational drumming and its health benefits.
Much Thanks
David Day