Drumming for mindfulness and reduce stress
Drumming is great for our mental health, it’s a mindfulness practise. Whether you're a beginner drummer just starting out on your drumming journey or a seasoned sound therapist, the drum offers a powerful therapeutic tool for grounding and self-expression.
Drumming helps us tap into rhythm and flow. It becomes a transformative experience that connects us to the rhythms of the earth and tunes us to our inner wisdom and freedom of spirit. The perfect gift as a sonic prayer.
Improvising, playing in the moment such as participating in a community drum circle, we let go of the need to get it right, the nagging feeling of what if I play a wrong note disappears. It becomes a beautiful dance of rhythmic mindfulness.
Just by learning simple rhythms on the djembe drum we naturally develop our rhythm skills and build self-confidence to eventually make in the moment rhythmic music. When we rhythmically improvise on the djembe drum, Kpanlogo, African dunduns, or darbuka, or frame drum, we play from our heart not from the head, we start to immerse our self in the primal beats of the drum.
Whether practising alone or in a group setting such as the drum circle, drumming with the intention for grounding offers our nervous system a sonic massage. A sanctuary of peace and tranquility, allowing us to find solace and strength amidst the chaos of modern life.
The garden a metaphor for healing and transformation
This week I wanted to feature the garden as a metaphor for our mind and how the drum can assist us on our journey of inner strength resilience and stability. With an intention with our drumming to connect with our true essence, we can set ourself up for success.
Just as a gardener tends to their plants with care and attention, we also can cultivate mindfulness in nurturing our minds through a sonic rhythmic prayer. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment, just like improvising on our drum.
By practising mindfulness, we can weed out negative wasteful thought patterns, prune away toxic influences, sow the seeds of self-love and create space for positivity to take root.
Much like pulling out weeds to make way for flowers to bloom, mindfulness allows us to remove obstacles that hinder our mental well-being.
The garden requires nourishment to thrive. The plants need sunlight, water, and nutrients to sustain growth and vitality. Similarly, our minds require nourishment in the form of self-care, learning, and meaningful experiences.
Engaging in activities such as drumming, creativity, meditation, learning rhythms, daily practice of sonic prayers that bring us joy and purpose, pursuing passions, and fostering connections with others are all ways to nourish our minds and promote mental flourishing.
The Kpanlogo drum sending out a rhythmic prayer of joy
The drum that I play in the video is called Kpanlogo. I was first introduced to this beautiful drum while studying African drumming in Ghana. Pictured on the right.
The Kpanlogo drum originates from Ghana, specifically from the Ga people along the coast of West Africa. Its creation is closely tied to the cultural and social fabric of the Ga community. The drum gained prominence during the 1960s and 1970s as part of the Kpanlogo music and dance style, which emerged as a vibrant expression of Ghanaian youth culture.
Traditionally played with hands, though I love the sound it creates with stick rhythms and is a great addition to my dundun setup for another sound to the drumming ensemble music.
The Kpanlogo drum is crafted from wood with goat skin stretched over the top, it features a unique hourglass shape, distinguishing it from other African drums. Its design allows for a variety of tones, from sweet bass to mallow slaps, creating a dynamic rhythm that is both melodic and rhythmic.
Beyond its musical significance, the Kpanlogo drum holds deep cultural meaning for the Ga people. It is often used in celebrations, ceremonies, and social gatherings, serving as a means of communication and expression. The lively grooves of the Kpanlogo drum accompany traditional dances, storytelling, and other forms of cultural expression, connecting people to their heritage and community.
Over time, the Kpanlogo drum has transcended its origins and gained popularity worldwide, becoming a symbol of African music and culture. Its infectious rhythms and rich history continue to captivate audiences, ensuring its enduring legacy in the global music scene.
What drum are you playing at the moment? Would you like to deepen your drumming practice with intention? Let's recap on how we can gain the healing benefits of rhythmic prayer of mindful drumming.
- Choose a space for your drumming – outdoors, or indoors
- Sit quietly, tune into your inner world with an intention
- Just listen… connect to your heart centre
- No thinking… simply imagine you are a child and have been given a drum for the first time. Have fun exploring… no judgement.
Online Course and 1:1 Zoom Lessons/Mentoring
Whether you’re just starting out on your personal sound healing journey, wanting to delve deep within developing your djembe drumming skills, and one-on-one private online coaching, I thought you might be interested in some of my online offerings. I have two new spots available for the month of May. Please contact me for more information.
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A little gift for you as you continue to build your djembe drumming skills
I want to help you out as much as I can so I’ve added some great hand drumbeats for beginners and ensemble drums that accompany the djembe, called 7 Easy Steps to Develop Rhythm, Technique, Timing and Feel PDF.
It’s filled with lots of tips on technique and how to improve your timing and feel, to really take your playing to the next level. This is my gift to you and something that can accompany you on your drumming journey.
Get your instant copy for absolutely free!! Price $15 - FREE today!!
Download your FREE Djembe Drumming PDF Now
(FYI this website platform only allows one email address per free download)
Please leave a comment in the comment box below, so others can find this post helpful. Every bit helps. Thanks so much for your love and support, it means a lot and inspires me to continue helping people like you.