Dr. Bill Thomas asked me to post this CNN video clip promoting the healing effects of drum circles for older adults in retirement communities.
Used by shamans and healers for thousands of years, drum therapy is the practice of using rhythm to promote healing and maintain physical, mental and spiritual health.
The ancient practice is seeing a resurgence in popularity as a growing body of research validates the therapeutic effects of group drum circles. Recent research finds that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces feelings of well-being and release of emotional trauma.
One study by cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, 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 the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including AIDS. According to Dr. Bittman, “Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin.”
Dr. Bittman also led a study on the effects of drumming on nursing home staff. The BBC reported on his work at Westbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Pennsylvania showing participation in drum circles improved the mood of staff by 50 percent and reduced turnover.
Learn more about the therapeutic effects of drumming here.
Drum circles have long been used in Eden Alternative communities with great success especially among people living with dementia.
I shot some video of an Eden Alternative drum therapy presentation at the 2010 Eden International Conference in Denver. Look for it 1:12 into the video:
Drum Circle says
June 5, 2017 at 9:50 pmnice job!
I will start soon here in Venezia, Italia! 🙂
If you like to visit my web-site
https://artististrada.wordpress.com/drum-circle/
Vytas Sakalas says
November 22, 2011 at 9:35 amOne Heart Beat is a drum circle and performing group in Tucson, Arizona that started in 1980 and is still going strong and growing. The group welcomes anyone that would like to drum with us as we perform at various venues, often outdoors. You can friend us on facebook. Drumming does help us stay healthy, vigorous, and happy, and creates a social bond among the participants, both drummers and dancers, as well as viewers.
Anonymous says
November 21, 2011 at 7:40 pmnice. drumming together creates a magnetism of joy…
this is the vibration of the natural life force.
when the new world order arrives to bring about world peace. then the world will drum together. it will be a world of love.
col sky
Scott Swimmer says
November 19, 2011 at 11:31 amNice piece Kavan, You will appreciate what we’re doing with interactive rhythm events globally. http://www.drumstrong.org
Warm regards,
Scott
scott@drumstrong.org
Kavan Peterson says
November 19, 2011 at 7:53 amJesse – so great to hear from you! I do get your Tweets and they are much appreciated. Let’s talk on Monday about blogging, I’m happy to help set you up.
Jessica Mendes says
November 18, 2011 at 2:09 pmHi Kavan
I don’t know if this note will reach you or not but I have been trying to reach someone at ChangingAging for about a month now. I am an avid supporter of your site — I tweet yours, and Dr. Bill Thomas’, posts all the time (I am SeptemberMay). I submitted a blog (I think) but I have some questions, for example, I have no idea if my blog is accessible or if what I did worked. In short, I wanted to be able to talk to someone.
I’ve left two messages and no one has gotten back to me. Can you perhaps assist?
Many thanks,
Jessica Mendes
(416) 367-1011
jesseheretic (at) yahoo (dot) com
Andrea Tyck says
November 17, 2011 at 5:53 pmThanks for posting this. We just finished a 4 week drum circle in our CCRC. The residents were so enthused they asked for it to continue. One woman said, “I loved the drumming because it helped silence my inner critic and let me just feel free!.” That’s good medicine at any age!