The healing power of the drum : [a psychotherapist explores the healing power of rhythm

The Healing Power of the Drum is an authoritative yet easy to read book that shows how everyone can achieve health benefits from the increasingly popular activity of hand drumming. The raison d'etre for the book is to raise awareness of the hand drum from merely a musical instrument to a tool that can be used by individuals to attain psychological, physiological and spiritual well-being. The book explores the drum from a multidimensional perspective, explaining the drum's ability to release anger, create joy, alter brain rhythms, induce trance, and create empowerment. Research and anecdotal reports provide validation of the benefits of personal drumming. The Healing Power of the Drum provides a springboard for readers to use the drum in exciting and innovative ways to enhance their own wellness. The book reflects the very qualities of drumming. It is easy to read and non-technical, fun, and yet it provides depth, meaning and purpose for the reader. As the drum provides seemingly limitless ranges of emotions from deep relaxation to extraordinary aliveness, the book accordingly explores the vast range of experiences offered by drumming, from its ability to create euphoria to its deep and sacred power to heal. Contributors of world renown include: Dr. Michael Thaut, Director, Center for Biomedical Research and Music, Colorado State University. Dr. Kenneth Aigen, Co-Director of Research for the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. Dr. Connie Tomaino, Director of the Department of Music Therapy, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, affiliated with Albert Einstein Medical Hospital, Bronx, New York. Barry Bernstein, Music Therapist. Christine Stevens, Music Therapist. Jim Greiner, Latin PercussionTM artist and drum facilitator, who shares some of the most eloquent stories of the hand drumming experience ever written. Heather MacTavish, founder of New Rhythms Foundation, who discusses how hand drumming helped her survive and heal from Parkinson's disease. Arthur Hull, leading drum circle facilitator. The Healing Power of the Drum is an authoritative yet easy to read book that shows how everyone can achieve health benefits from the increasingly popular activity of hand drumming. The raison d'etre for the book is to raise awareness of the hand drum from merely a musical instrument to a tool that can be used by individuals to attain psychological, physiological and spiritual well-being.

The book explores the drum from a multidimensional perspective, explaining the drum's ability to release anger, create joy, alter brain rhythms, induce trance, and create empowerment. Research and anecdotal reports provide validation of the benefits of personal drumming.

The Healing Power of the Drum provides a springboard for readers to use the drum in exciting and innovative ways to enhance their own wellness. The book reflects the very qualities of drumming. It is easy to read and non-technical, fun, and yet it provides depth, meaning and purpose for the reader. As the drum provides seemingly limitless ranges of emotions from deep relaxation to extraordinary aliveness, the book accordingly explores the vast range of experiences offered by drumming, from its ability to create euphoria to its deep and sacred power to heal.

Contributors of world renown include:

• Dr. Michael Thaut, Director, Center for Biomedical Research and Music, Colorado State University.
• Dr. Kenneth Aigen, Co-Director of Research for the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University
• Dr. Connie Tomaino, Director of the Department of Music Therapy, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, affiliated with Albert Einstein Medical Hospital, Bronx, New York
• Barry Bernstein, Music Therapist
• Christine Stevens, Music Therapist
• Jim Greiner, Latin PercussionTM artist and drum facilitator, who shares some of the most eloquent stories of the hand drumming experience ever written.
• Heather MacTavish, founder of New Rhythms Foundation, who discusses how hand drumming helped her survive and heal from Parkinson's disease.
• Arthur Hull, leading drum circle facilitator.

The Healing Power of the Drum Acknowledgments Contents Foreword (Shi-Hong Loh, MD) Part I — The Limitless Healing Drum 1 — Hand Drums and Healing Psychological and Physiological Applications The Symphony of Rhythm Who Should Read This Book? 2 — My Journey to the Drum There’s a Baby on the Drummer’s Path Drumming Away My Mother’s Migraines My Fifteen Minutes of Fame You Did What With Bobby McFerrin? Sing?? Why??? Omar Hakim, and Me, or Whose Concert Is it, Really? The Experiment Begins The Drum Unites Parents and Children Drumming and Oneness The Drum, So Powerful — Yet So Simple 3 — The Ancient Calling Words from a Master Drummer — An African Perspective The Hungry Soul Rhythm, Both Within and Without In the Beginning, There Must Be Rhythm Shifting the Sands of Time Rhythm is a Given 4 — The Personal Experience of Drumming Finding Your Drum Drumming Alone Drumming in a Group Your Joyful Inner Child Drumming and the Family The Psychology of Drumming Intuitive Drumming Entrainment The Discovery of Entrainment The Unifying Quality of the Drum The Alchemy of Drumming Part I — Complementary Medicine and Rhythm 5 — Drumming and Physiological Conditions Alzheimer’s Disease Cancer Multiple Sclerosis — Two Personal Stories Paralysis Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Research Speech Problems Stroke 6 — Drumming and Psychological Conditions Addictions Disabilities Psychiatric Rehabilitation Stress Management 7 — Drumming for Specific Populations At-Risk Adolescent Drums Not Guns Corporate Employees The Corporate Tribal Meeting Prisoners and Detainees Drumming Detainees Senior Citizens 8 — Drumming and Children Healing Children’s Grief Through Drumming The Drum Helps a Distraught Child Choose Life Autism Down Syndrome William’s Syndrome Rhythm Profiles 9 — Skeptics and Visionaries Counterpoint Visionaries and Rhythm Physioacoustics The Future of Drumming An Ancient Healing Instrument Meets the Future Part III — Bringing Drumming Into Your Life 10 — Practical Techniques and Rhythm Exercises 11 — Drumming Exercises from Music Therapy 12 — Conclusion References Rhythm and Percussion Resources Index