News Story - Idaho State Journal

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I signed up for the Drums Alive Instructor Certification Workshop. Assuming that most kids would like beating on something that resembled a drum, I was hoping to learn some fun, new ways to keep the kids in our Kid-Fit program moving their bodies. I quickly learned that this was just a small part of the Drums Alive mission. Their vision is to "make life better for everyone throughout the world with the healing experience of movement and rhythm" and to improve the quality of life for a wide variety of audiences including: mentally and physically challenged children, including those with aggression issues; fit and healthy adults and children; seniors with balance issues; wheelchair-bound persons; and patients with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke and other life-altering conditions.

The training was being offered at the International Dance and Exercise Association World Fitness Conference in Las Vegas. As I entered the large conference room, filled with fitness balls and drumsticks, I knew I was in for a unique experience. The creator of the program, Carrie Ekins, has a master's degree in Physical Education and Dance with an emphasis in Sports Medicine from Brigham Young University, and currently resides in Germany. Her goal for the workshop was not only to teach us drumming, but to teach us why drumming is a "whole mind, whole body" experience.

We spent the first few hours "drumming" on the balls, learning fun patterns, and getting hot and sweaty! The beat of the music was inspiring and it was definitely a great workout. But, as I found out, there was so much more to be learned . . . .

According to Ekins, the Drums Alive program uses a combination of music, sound, and movement therapy. Music therapy developed out of the healing effects that music and rhythm have on the body. Sound therapy promotes healing by using rhythmic drumming, chanting, and sometimes recorded music to product psychological and emotional responses that promote a higher level of self-healing. We know that certain sounds stimulate the relaxation response because of a scientific phenomenon called entrainment. Entrainment is an involuntary response of the nervous system. When music or a rhythm is heard for a period of time, the heart spontaneously changes to correspond to that rhythm. If slow, calming music is used that does not have a specific melody or expected rhythmic pattern, the heart rate slows, brain waves shift in frequency, muscles relax and the circulatory system works more efficiently.

Ekin also cites research by Andres Neher showing that drumming produces changes in the central nervous system and brain. The two brainwaves that are most applicable to the Drums Alive program are beta and alpha waves. Beta waves are the fastest of the brainwaves and represent arousal. A person actively conversing, debating, or giving a speech would all be using beta. Alpha waves, on the otherhand, represent non-arousal. Alpha brainwaves are slower and are seen in a person meditating or reflecting quietly in a resting state. The Drums Alive programs uses rhythmical drumming to stimulate both beta and alpha waves. Beta waves help increase mental activity during the Power Beats portion of a class, and alpha waves are used to bring the participant back to a relaxed state during the cool-down or Wellness Beats portion of the class.

Drumming can also help with stress and aggression. Endorphins are released and negative emotions are reduced as the drumming increases the alpha-brainwaves. And drumming also has powerful physiological effects. The Loma Linda University School of Medicine states that "sustained drumming increases the heart rate and blood flow, resulting in the "high" common to any aerobic exercise. Drumming also improves the synchronization of the brain's two hemispheres.

We've added drumming to our kid's programs and also to some of our adult classes and the results have been amazing. People are smiling, releasing endorphins, and moving their bodies. So grab some sticks (anything will do) and a drum (try a ball or a box) and get moving!

Karen Donaldson is the owner of EXCEL Weight Loss Solutions in Pocatello. For more information on the positive effects of drumming, contact her at (208) 233-0593.

This document was originally published online on Sunday, August 03, 2008

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