Drums...Drumming...Health Rhythms and NOW...

One Summer's Day many years ago, Bill and I were going to the Philadelphia Zoo to see what we could see.  Walking from the parking lot to the entrance, we had to go under the railroad bridge and what to my wondering eyes should appear but the coolest dude playing drums!  I was fascinated - it was about FUN and RHYTHM and just cool stuff.  Did I think I could do it...Absolutely NOT!  He invited me to site and give it a try - and I just had fun.  I could feel the beginnings of the Free Spirit releasing...and from that time on, drumming has been one of the focuses of my Journey.

What a surprise for my 60th birthday that same year to have a big box to open - and even more of a surprise to find a Purple Conga drum (still have it though I would sell it if someone wants it!)  I remember it all clearly because it was the same time I was taking the Creative Photography class.  This was definitely a subject for some of the pictures!
    

Never one to be impulsive and jump into things (right you are saying?!?  I am an extroverted introvert really), it took more years of contemplating drums and drumming until one day I read about Health Rhythms, created by Remo drum company, Dr. Barry Bittman and Christine Stevens.  Ever on the quest for self knowledge, healing and stress relief, I said to self, "WHY NOT?!"  Actually I talked three of my friends at the time into joining me and several years ago, the program/training came to the Princeton area.  We had a grand time.  I came home and did a few drum circles...and then quiet on that front BUT Roy Schryver, one of the participants shared about making drums...next step in the Journey.

Then came the "Baby Drums" because what better thing for an early childhood educator to do than do drumming with "Mommy and Me".  It's still in the thought pattern - might just come forth...soon.  Remember my Mom always said I was a sloooooooooooooow learner or maybe she said Late Bloomer. Either way - same thing.

Now my friends, it is time for the Journey/Adventure and Freeing of the Spirit to continue.  I saw an advertisement for a drumming Playshop with Arthur Hull - granddaddy of drum circles in NEW JERSEY in September - and now it is tomorrow!  I thought - nah - and why...and then I kept getting drawn back to the description of the event and the words so resonate for me - the words and the way Arthur says them in his DVD : Drum Circle Facilitation: Building Community Through Rhythm.  OMG...I have done it - I have signed up and tomorrow I travel to the Count Basie theater in Red Bank , NJ for a day of learning and drumming and - well you know how I always talk about synchronicities - that too!!  The day is about
   1. Unity within Community
   2. Sharing my Spirit
   3. Building Relationships
   4. Sharing my bliss and having FUN
   5. Facilitating as a Celebration of Life
I can no longer deny that drumming, Health Rhythms and all connected with it holds a special place in my heart.  Meet Arthur!!

This Guy is Too Precious!!

Although there were an outstanding group of new friends at the HealthRHYTHMS training this past weekend, we were also honored to be 'gifted' with a little tambourine with a picture of Mick - Rhyth Mick!!  Get it?!?  Since I love 'cute' and colorful, he was an instant favorite of mine.  How to share him?  I took a picture of the tambourine and have this to share.  He represents the FACILITATOR'S WARDROBE.  Here is what we know:

  Tool belt- presents Arthurain tools and techniques  to build the circle

  Conductor's baton - conduct the group through body language and clear directions

  A Flashlight - guiding the group with your drum, bell and spirit

  A Big Heart - pounding the caring rhythm

  BIG Ears - Listeninig intently to their song

  A Coat of Many Colors - our unique gifts for delighting the circle

  Spontaneous Steps - showing muselike inspiration!!

  ANYTHING WE GIVE OUT AS A FACILITATOR WILL COME BACK TO US MANY TIMES OVER!!

Each of us is a musical spirit!!

 

It's Only Just Begun!!

About a month ago, I wrote about my friend Julie and the gift she was giving me with the HealthRHYTHMS drum circle.  Then I shared that we would be attending facilitator training in Princeton.  Well as you can see from this picture, WE DID IT!  For me, it was a beginning.  For Julie it was coming back to guide those of us who were learning.  We realized that we are all always learning!  Now I think about moving forward with this process.  I have come to realize that the drum is the vehicle but the circle is so much more!  It is about stress relief, empowerment, communication, and just having FUN!   Mimi wrote that she is doing her first circle tomorrow with her patients and staff at the mental institution where she works.  Others are about to do their first circle as well.  We are challenged by Remo to do our first training within 30 days!  Tonight it is all keeping me awake.  How will I do it?  Where will I do it?  Coming are endings and new beginnings.  I know that my place in the world is here at home with Bill.  I know I have been looking forward to being FREE once my work is done.  Tonight I lay in bed and wondered what that freedom looks and feels like?  Hmmmmmm  If Bill weren't sleeping so soundly in the other room, maybe, just maybe I would drum to see what it feels like.  Tomorrow is another day!!

The Sweet Sounds of Rhythms and Relationships!!

It's always about serendipity and being in the right place at the right time!!  Years ago, maryi and I and a small group of women drmmed at full moon time at the 'farm'.  We lost touch over the years, but I still kept drumming in my head and heart though I didn't exercise the hands.  A few years ago, One Spirit book club had a kit with a hand drum, book and CD by Christine Stevens, music therapist and Remo Drum company's music director.  I bought it!!  Everything came alive.  Then I read The Healing Power of the Drum and invited Robert Lawrence Friedman, the author, to do a drum circle/workshop in Pitman last October - full moon and our anniversary.  After that, some drumming at the farm and in our living room - more drums and more connections.  I was invited to Pitman Manor to drum with the senior citizens women's group.  We went back again Christmas Day to drum with those more involved.  It was a pleasure to see so many show their spirit through their eyes or a brief smile as I placed a drum mallet in their hands and encouraged them to try!  I saw my sister, Lisa, do the same thing (twins born 9 years apart).  The story continues as Carol, the activities director at the Manor invited me to her house for a Christmas Eve open house. There, a young man, Aubrey, had a ceramin doumbek and I totally loved its 'sweet' sound.  I looked around and finally discovered Full Circle Drums - Ishmael and Patra, on a mountain top near Santa Barbara, CA. What you see is what I got!!  Ishmael offered to send me pictures of 5 drums he had just made that were not yet on their web-site.  http://www.fullcircledrums.com/  and I could have first choice.  I chose Spiral Mandala.  Now I am going to a drum circle tomorrow in Baltimore, MD with Jonathan Murray and another next week near home (more about that after it is over!)  In September, Conni-Joi and I will be spending 3 days with Remo,Christine Stevens and Barry Bittman,MD, for a Health Rhythms training.  (See the Remo web-site for more details about the Princeton, NJ training 9/9-11)  After that...the world is wide open and you can be sure you will hear about Spirit of Joi: Rhythms and Relationships for fun, healing and self-discovery.  Keep reading and invite us to drum with you or your group.  Life is full of spirited, energetic like minded souls and I LOVE IT!!  Join our circle or do you have one of your own?  Share that with us     catchthemright@aol.com  

Life is too fragile to not live, love, laugh, dance and DRUM!!