Drumming and Coaching!

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Hi Laura

At the recent AoR Reflexology conference I went to in Warwick they finished the event with a motivation non-speaker from South Africa called Steve Barnett. he wasn't a drummer as such, but used percussion (clapping and banging plastic tubes) to bring the group together. i t was an amazing end to an amazing event and it made 500 reflexologists feel "at one" so I can understand what youa re talking about.

Here's his website for more info and video clips.

Sarah x

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Hi Sarah

I’m glad you enjoyed Steve Barnett’s event closure - yes, the energy from your post was almost tangible! - and thanks for posting his website. I could very much relate to this:

He draws on the rhythm and energy of the audience, making them an integral
part of the presentation. They are orchestrated to participate in a way that
focuses, empowers and thoroughly entertains. Steve unites the audience in a collective rhythmic euphoria that changes their perceptions and encourages positive transformation.
“He has an exceptional gift”.
Reverend D. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus, Nobel Peace Laureate

Though it refers to his use of percussion, the words “focus”, “empower”, “changes … perceptions and encourages positive transformation” are all straight out of coaching terminology. And that little bit was just from the home page – lots of other wonderful analogies followed.

This can all equally be related to the individual as well as the collective. Everyone can drum - even if they were told at school that they were not musical - in that everyone has a heartbeat. So not for nothing does my signature carry the somewhat hackneyed “march to the beat of your own drum”, since I do believe that most of the self-limiting beliefs that hold back so many people from marching forward in their lives are down to very early quashing of dreams, hopes and imagination.

So if EFT … or drumming … or whatever … can help someone to overcome their limitations and inhibitions, well so much to the good! I also happen to be passionately fond of drumming … in case you hadn’t guessed. 😀

I wonder if any other readers find empowerment from playing a musical instrument?

Holistic

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Hi guys

well what interesting contributions to the discussion! Indeed drumming, or any kind of expression that involves releasing one inner creative spirit and abilities is very helpful for a number of activities. I have heard of applications of drumming in group dynamic and so thanks for sharing this info.

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Hi Holistic,

I saw from your profile that you were into drumming, and meant to send you a PM to ask what sort but didn't get round to it.

I recently went to an african drumming workshop and it was fascinating. We went round in a circle banging the drum in any way we wanted- we were told not to try and work out what we were going to do before it was our turn because it would never work and you'd just end up forgetting and going blank. So we all just did whatever came to us- it was fantastic! We also tried it as a means of communication...someone would beat a rhythm to someone else in across circle and then they would do the same to someone else....it was like a secret language:D

Highly recommended!

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

hi, I can echo the benefits found from drumming... I started some years ago with a bodran, now have a Native American drum and a Kenyan drum... all have their own voice and time to be played. I find the drum useful for many things... grounding, uplifting, energy shifting/transforming, healing, energising...the list is endless.

I'd encourage anyone to get themselves a drum and start allowing it to tell its story to them... it is incredibly empowering!

BB
Otter[sm=1syellow1.gif]

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Hi Azalia

I'm delighted to hear of another happy convert to drumming, and that you enjoyed the workshop so much 🙂

It sounds as if your tutor has the makings of a life coach 😉 - meaning that he/she created and held the space for you all to come from your "inner creative spirit and abilities" as Purpose said above. It's wonderful what can happen sometimes when the head gets told to "shut up" and the intuition is enabled to just "be", as opposed to always doing.

Have you noticed any ongoing benefits or other changes generally since the drumming?

You're welcome to PM me, but here I'll just say that I play African djembe (hand drum) and you can see a pic on the home page of my website, if you're interested.

Hi Otter

That's a great list of drum uses you have there, which I'll happily endorse, and thanks for encouraging others to let a drum "tell its story" - what a lovely expression! 🙂

Best wishes,

Holistic

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

I'm not exactly sure which african tribe the drum I was playing was affiliated to, but it sounded good all the same! I have been to a shamnic workshop in which the teacher showed us how she used her drum as a diagnostic tool for illnesses and other energy inbalances in the body...fascinating!

The tutor of the drumming session I went to suggested going to our local music shop and asking if there were any classes around locally- I am thinking of finding what's about in Chelmsford in the near future. It's such a wonderful way to express oneself, and so spontaneous...just my kind of art form!

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Holistic- just checked out the picture- this is very similar to the type I was playing:D

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Dear Azalia

I wouldn't worry too much about tribes - one of my djembes was made in Devon - a faithful copy. I guessed you would have been playing on one. Yes, as Otter said above, there are many uses for the drum.

It's a shame I no longer live in Essex - I used to be just outside Braintree - or I'd happily offer you drumming lessons. Here's a link to many drumming sites:

I'll do a bit of a search, and if I come up with anything specific to Chelmsford, I'll PM you.

You said: "It's such a wonderful way to express oneself, and so spontaneous...just my kind of art form!"

I totally agree with you, and also it can go a bit deeper than making music and annoying the neighbours [:-]

I knew a woman who came to one of my drumming workshops and initially had some problems "getting it". I asked her if she was right handed. She said she was, so I suggested she tried leading with her left hand (the lead hand is the one that does most of the work!). She did this, and she was drumming away in no time. Months later, I bumped into her, and she told me that as a result, she had completely turned around her life and her career. Unknown to me, of course, her mother and older sister had punished her as a child for being left handed. Because I had "given her permission" to be herself, she had packed in her academic research job and undertaken courses in Reflexology and Aromatherapy, as well as beginning meditation.

My point is that within a coaching relationship, one of the absolute fundamentals IMHO is for the client to be enabled to be who they truly are, in pursuit of where they truly want to be, and supported in the journey to getting there.

I hope this makes sense.

Holistic

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Perfect sense;)

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

🙂

I have sent you a PM with some local drumming contacts.

While searching, I came across this, which may be of general interest:

[DLMURL] http://www.drumjam.co.uk/facilitating-human-potential-through-rhythm.php [/DLMURL]

It's about The 4th Annual UK Facilitators Playshop, taking place 17 - 19 September 2004, at Cheshunt (just outside north east London), and led by world renowned and award-winning facilitator Arthur Hull.

From the course description:

This experiential intensive includes learning and practice with facilitation theory and techniques. Through small group activities using movement, voice, musical instruments and improvisational games participants will learn group leadership skills, platform presentation techniques and body language communication.

Just a few of the topics covered:

Tools and Techniques for Facilitators
Rapport skills
Body Language and Vocal Techniques
Windows of Communication
Pacing and Leading

Some of the suggested participants:

Psychotherapists
Health Care Providers
Personal Growth Facilitators
Drum teachers
Reiki Practitioners
Youth Leaders

Pity I'm otherwise committed on those dates. [&o][:@]

Holistic

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

I've recently (in the last week) been looking into drumming. there's lots of interesting ideas on drumming and healing - sound therapy.

And I have to say it makes perfect sense to me! I came across this for those who are interested and in the London area

Urban drumming - they hold workshops and courses and weekly sessions.
CONTACT 07949 080877

EMAIL INFO@URBANTRIBEDRUMMING.COM

it doesn't look like they have a website.

Sounds like (ho ho) we're onto something people 🙂

Joanna

x x x

RE: Drumming and Coaching!

Ho Ho indeed, Joanna! 😀

Thanks for the link to altguide - very interesting and a excellent overview of drumming by urbantribedrumming. Also in the therapy guide I found two separate coaching categories: Life Coaching and Alternative Life Coaching! Again, each overview is written by just one contributor, but anyone with an interest in coaching might find them an interesting read.

The therapies list can be found here:

urbantribedrumming do have a website, though it's currently under construction:

It may be case sensitive, therefore not found if using caps.???

Have you got yourself a drum yet? More info. on drums, teachers etc here:

Boom, boom!

Laura.

PS: There is more on drumming in the Shamanism forum, the thread SMUDGING ... how to.