Indigenous cultures around the world recognize the use of the drum as a powerful spiritual tool that can be used to heal our spiritual, mental and physical bodies. We in the West are in a unique position. We have the opportunity to combine these ancient tools with modern techniques to provide participants and clients with an clear, clean and efficient transition to optimal physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Drumming in therapeutic, clinical and psychiatric environments has gained popularity over the last 15 years and is now an accepted practice. The trained use of the drum in these contexts can relax, energize, and heal. Playing the drum has the ability to induce trance and create states of euphoria, promote play, release anger and develop feelings of community, unity and well-being.

While drumming, one is in the present moment, with no space to think about the past or the future. The drum becomes an opportunity for those who repress their emotions to release them. Clinical studies show that Group Drumming aids in the release of emotional pain, anger and stress.

Therapeutic benifits have been noted in people with the following conditions:

• HIV and AIDS
• Autism
• Mental illness
• Memory loss
• Dementia
• Alzheimer's

The Drum, Healing and Awakening

The drum plays an important part in healing, it allows our spirit to move into the spirit world for healing to occur. When we play the drum we become part of the sound, we melt with the energy of the music. Sound waves are vehicles of energy that are capable of carrying more than just sound. We can infuse sound with our intentions of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, humility and unconditional love. These are powerful tools of healing that can transform.

With pure intentions we can use music to help us in our quest for awakening. Intention comes from the core of who you are; beyond the mind. Our most powerful and productive intentions originate from the heart, which is connected to our spirit. Intention, combined with music, provides a powerful connection to our spirit.

As spiritual beings, we have the ability to access the doors of multidimensional time and space and music is a powerful key to these doors. When we play music we open a direct connection to our spirit and the spirit world. Playing music is an active meditation and allows the mind to relax and open a space within us that provides opportunities for deep reflection, a deep sense of surrender and freedom. We can infuse music with pure intentions of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, humility and unconditional love, which are all powerful tools that can provide the opportunities for spiritual awakening.