Medicine Drum Circle

“The drum is the Great Spirit’s favorite instrument. That is why we were all given a heartbeat.” ~Navajo Elder

Please join us for our monthly Medicine Drum Circle with Tim Albright. The circle is open to all, drummer and non-drummers, musicians and non-musicians, alike. Tim will be helping us connect to the power of drumming by linking the rhythms of the instruments to our heart. Please bring your own drum or instrument, however, we will have several instruments such as rattles, shakers, rainsticks and some drums for those without an instrument to play.

When: Meets the 3rd Friday of the month - 7:30 - 8:30pm
Location: Church of Spiritual Light, 1939 Park Meadows Dr., #1, Ft. Myers, FL 33907
Facilitator: Tim Albright
Cost: $5

Besides being fun and just soul-satisfying, check out some of the therapeutic reasons to make drumming a regular part of your life!

Stress-Reduction 
Strengthened the immune system by increasing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. (Bittman, Alternative Therapies, 2001) This protocol also reversed multiple components of the human stress response on the genomic level, not just reducing but reversing 19 genetic switches that turn on the stress response believed responsible in the development of common diseases. (Bittman, Medical Science Monitor, 2005)

Exercise
Drumming is an accessible exercise which burns calories and improves mood and may reduce the risk of disease. A Norwegian study of 25,000 women age 20-54 that performed leisure time exercises at least 4 hours/week experienced a 37% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. (Thune, Brenn, Lund, Gaard, 1997)

Self-Expression 
Empowers people to move beyond their perceived boundaries.

Camaraderie/Support 
A 1992 Duke University Study linked lengthened lifespan with having a close confidant. HealthRHYTHMS protocol builds camaraderie and support by creating a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing and offering support.

Nurturing 
Creates a level playing field where support of growth and development is encouraged. As equal partners in this process participants often discover inner strength and encouragement by those sharing the experience.

Spirituality 
According to Jan Gregory, Adjunct Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality at Hartford Seminary, “Hand drumming is an ancient art that has been used in many cultures. The music of drums creates a conduit to the Divine. This is an opportunity to experience worship with our bodies as well as our minds”.

Music-Making 
Systematic inquiry into the relationship between music and brain function is one of the most rapidly developing fields of human research. “Music making offers extensive exercise for brain cells and their synapses (connections). It would be difficult to find another activity that engages so many of the brain’s systems.”(Weinberger, N., 1998)