The word rhythm in Greek means to flow. Drumming is a way of healing, it makes us to experience the flow of our mind and emotions. Drumming supports people, families and communities during times of joy and sorrow.
As they come together in circles and drum, it brings them closer to each other with courage to move on. This groups (drum circles) can be used for different purposes. Mostly, hearing about rhythm and drumming one will think it is just for entertainment, parties, and celebrations. However, the drum circle can do more than just entertaining.
Use for Therapy
The power of rhythm cannot be over emphasized, reason being that it spreads round the entire brain. Vision and speech uses different part of the brain to function properly, but drumming accesses the whole part of the human brain. The sound produced from a well-organized drumming creates a type of connection in all parts of the brain even where there is damage or impairment like the attention deficit disorder or the Parkinson’s disease.
The dynamic neuronal connections. According to Michael Thaut, director of Colorado state university’s Center for Biomedical Research in Music, “Rhythmic cues can help retrain the brain after a stroke or other neurological impairment, as with Parkinson’s patients…”
For better integrated experience and a whole function of our brain and mind, they have to be more connections within the brain. More studies conducted by professionals in the music therapy has shown us that drumming reduces anxiety, tension and stress, releases negative feeling and emotional trauma also induces deep relaxation and lowers blood pressure.
To Create a Sense of Togetherness
Drum circles also makes people gain that sense of interpersonal support and also makes the participants feel connected to each other. A drum circle creates that connection with our own spirit on a deeper level in a positive way, it induces inner peace and a positive mindset. Drum circles alleviates self-centeredness, isolation and alienation.
Music educator Ed Mikeans in his words; “drumming provides an authentic experience of unity and physiological synchronicity. If we put people together who are out of sync with themselves (i.e., diseased, addicted) and help them experience the phenomenon of entrainment, it is possible for them to feel with and through others what it is like to be synchronous in a state of preverbal connectedness.”
We should learn to flow with the rhythm of life by simply letting the beat, pulse or groove engulf us while drumming. It is a way of bringing the best part of yourself into accord with the flow of a dynamic, connected universe, helping us feel whole amidst our differences rather than isolated and alienated. Rhythm and resonance are the order of the natural world. Discord and disharmony arise only when we limit our ability to connect totally with the rhythms of life.
For Positive Development and Cultural Relevance
Drum circles is a recreational music making activity that builds social connection and togetherness with a positive youth development approach. When drumming in the group, there are no spoken words, but it is universal, those who are not experienced or skilled can participate.
It is conducted in a circle and often led by a facilitator whose role is to make good use of the group through rhythmic dialogue. Drum circles are also culturally relevant; it is an essential part of various cultures, the drumming can be used to pass on historic and cultural beliefs or rituals, it also encourages the value of collectivism, shared by Africans, North and South Americans.