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Hi all:
I haven't been on the board much at all lately. I went back to work full time six weeks ago, and that has taken all of my time (along with family obligations).
I just wanted to share a surprising experience I had. I was invited to attend a local IONS meeting last week. At this meeting, they had a guest--Buddy Helm from California. He was leading a drumming workshop.
We ended up drumming for about two and a half hours (with intermittent stories from Buddy). It was an amazing experience. When I was done, I felt like I do whenever I do some type of SR. Even though my body had been moving nearly the whole time, I felt that relaxed buzz I feel after SR.
If you're looking for a new kind of SR to try or perhaps are just starting out and have difficulty being still, I highly recommend drumming!
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
Hi Mrs D,
Welcome back! :)
After 2 hours of drumming and trying to maintain a beat, you were probably physically drained and exhausted...
During drumming, you would be surprised how much exercise you get and how high your BP is pushed... Drumming is more comparable to BRACING than it is to relaxation..
It compares to going in the basement and hammering some nails into a plank to relieve stress. It feels so good when you stop.
Of course, it is much easier to feel relaxed after you have some exercise, so if that is what it takes for you to relax, keep exercising.
If it works for you, keep it up.
Ron
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
Hi Mrs. D.,
That's interesting that drumming would have this effect. Maybe Ron's right... or maybe the rhythmic action of your body has an effect on the brain waves.
Just curious... what is IONS?
Sapphire
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
Ahhh percussion as SR. I agree with you. I have assorted shakers that I really enjoy "performing" with. They do help me relax. The congas are next. Thank you for sharing.
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Sylvia [336.1351] on July 30, 2005 at 15:54:11:
Hi Sylvia,
Maybe all that noise helps to get the mind off other things
that are upsetting. It is hard to carry a thought or a conversation while you are busy hitting things.
Beat that Drum, Crack that whip... Whip it good!
(80's exercise song by Devo) ;>)
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
Hi Ms. D,
What type of drums were you using?
I have had some interesting spiritual experiences with drumming in the last year, both in drumming with my own hoop drum (Native American type--sometimes in the sauna--like a sweat lodge--drumming against my solar plexus) and also being drummed over in sessions with a healing drummer who uses both a hoop drum and African djembe' drum and practices shamanic journeying. I have all of his (Toby Christiansen) drumming CDs and often use then for SR.
These are some of the most interesting spiritual experiences I have ever had, and in my experience, they did not involve bracing or anything else stressful. In fact the healing sessions were very essential to my healing process, and I experienced real, permanent improvement. Ron, in the proper frame of mind/brain wave, the body can easily transcend physical discomfort and the ego part of the brain, and in my experience, this is key to allowing real spiritual, emotional, and physical healing to take place.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Ms. D.
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on July 30, 2005 at 17:28:29:
My girlfriend has been to sweat lodges often - and she said that is the most amazing, relaxing, self-aware and spiritual experience she has ever had.
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
There has been some research published fairly recently about the benefits of drumming. Here in Athens, a University of Georgia percussion teacher has formed a group called "Drumming for Success" for at-risk youth - those with ADD, ADHD and problems with being slow learners. The act of rhythm helps to organize the brain processes. The recent research I believe was about drumming to help decrease anxiety and depression.
I took some classes in West African drumming as well as some private lessons. My sense of well-being and confidence soared while I was participating in this. We played djembes and occasionally added some other drums which are designed to produce 3 different tones - a small drum, a medium and a larger one. Drumming with a group is great because it is a shared experience above and beyond the verbal communication we have grown accustomed to automatically experiencing. The creative experience taps into parts of us which transcends our typical thought and communication processes. While drumming you don't just hear and think but you also feel the vibrations - so its sort of a vibrational therapy so to speak. It's not unusual to drum with a group and to begin to feel and hear vibrations and tones that aren't coming from someone's drum - like harmonics you hear when listening to fine music.
I think its fabulous you had this experience and discovered that deeper fulfilment. To me its almost trancelike much in the same way the types of SR and meditation I do are. I always felt energized and happy after my drumming sessions and I'm dying to find a group to do it regularly with. I think drumming can be SR. You are so lucky you discovered this!
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
Thanks, Ms D.
"There are many pathways to the top of the mountain!" Chanting works for some people, too.
Walt
In Reply to: Drumming as SR posted by Ms. D. [634.1713] on July 30, 2005 at 15:07:24:
I found this interesting website on drum circles. Looks like fun!
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Ron [1540.1989] on July 30, 2005 at 15:26:28:
Nope--not physically drained or exhausted. I was energized. As an introvert, gatherings involving other people tend to drain me, but the drumming energized me.
This drumming did not involve bracing. In fact, the workshop leader carefully guided us in keeping loose and remebering to breathe. The vibrations of the drums have interesting effects on the body. I exercise regularly and don't feel like this after I exercise.
I have to add that I went to another drumming workshop today by a different person--totally different experience. But the intent of this person did not seem to be the same.
If you're interested in learning more, Buddy Helm has written a book called The Way of the Drum.
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Sapphire [422.1366] on July 30, 2005 at 15:39:50:
I believe IONS stands for Institute of Noetic Sciences. We didn't really discuss IONS at the meeting. This time was purely drumming.
I believe there is a national website to learn more. Anyone who was interested in What the Bleep Do We Know would probably be interested in the group.
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on July 30, 2005 at 17:28:29:
Thanks, Nutmeg. I honestly don't know what type of drums they were. I know that some people had frame drums. The one I was using was big, and I had to tip it off the ground and hold it between my knees.
Buddy Helm does healing sessions with drums, too. It would be interesting to find out what that would be like.
Buddy lives in California, and he travels around the country. You can look him up on his website. I'll have to check out the guy you mentioned. Thanks!
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by June.one [1181.2150] on July 30, 2005 at 23:14:02:
The vibrations were amazing. I think drums can be very therapeutic to listen to, but playing them and experiencing the vibrations took that to a whole different level for me.
I was wishing that there was some type of progressive school that taught using creative methods such as drumming. I think children would probably learn so much better--I know know my own kids would anyway.
In Reply to: Re: Drumming as SR posted by Ron [1540.1989] on July 30, 2005 at 15:58:44:
Ron, that's cute. I remember the song from Devo. The noise I make does help to clear my mind. Thanks. I needed the laugh! My husband is getting a punching bag. His version of SR.
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