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Meta
Racehorse meditation drumming in Santa Clarita, California
Petina Cole, a licensed horse therapist and classically trained flutist and meditation drummer invited me to drum(and ride) with her horses. Here is proof that the low tones can sooth the wildest beast. This horse loved it!
racehorse meditation drum Russell Buddy Helm in Santa Clarita
racehorse drum Buddy Helm close up
racehorse nose to nose with Buddy Helm
Juliet horse Buddy Helm
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Testimonial posted on “52 weeks.com”
Meditating on the Downbeat–Karen Amster-Young
Posted: 25 Feb 2011 09:57 AM PST
This is a guest post by Laurey Bennett-Levy, a dear old friend who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two beautiful daughters. An early supporter of the52weeks, she was inspired to go drumming recently — although if you ask anyone that knows Laurey she has always been one to try new things! This blog is all about trying new things, facing fears, shaking it up – even for Laurey! She welcomes all comments.
“Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun. But you have to know how.“ –– Dr. Seuss
I am a Bohemian PTA member. Sort-of earthy, sort-of yuppy. I’m a graphic designer/artist type so the term “bohemian chic” really resonated with me when that expression came out some years back. I always said I would never be a typical “PTA-mom”; yet, despite my best efforts I continuously find myself struggling to not be that “type” of woman as I get pulled into meeting after meeting at school. Thankfully, though, I’ve made some fabulous friends there who make it all better.
Recently I have also met some new friends who are forcing me to try new things – a la 52 weeks-style. The other night I was taken to an African Drumming Circle. Perfect for a psuedo-Bohemian gal and a perfect way to make sure I was not totally transforming into a PTA mommy! I jumped on the chance to try something new. The “yuppy” side of me needed to relax so I started with a shot of tequila, although it didn’t help much — I still had my guard up just a little. But then, I actually started really relaxing. Hitting the drums, feeling the music, downbeat by downbeat I started to really fall in love with the evening and the people who were free and loving.
Here’s what captivated me, besides the love in the room: As moms, we are juggling everything all the time. I tried yoga and could not calm my thoughts of all the 5,000 things I had to do that day, that week, that month. Drumming allowed me to focus on one thing only: the downbeat. I actually FELT the downbeat, the rhythm, and thought of nothing else. I was transported to a meditative state….the kind of state I have never felt before unless I was painting. My eyes were closed and when I opened them after 8 minutes or so and adjusted to the light, I saw that my friends were all in the same zone, doing the same thing. Most of all, it was just fun.
I had my amazing drumming experience on the West Coast at: http://www.seasons-on-montana.com/buddyhelm.html
For my East Coast friends I found a great link in case you want to try it closer to home! http://djembelfaq.drums.org/NY_drumcircles.htm
For more information on the benefits of drumming (see below), check out http://afrobeat.com.au/Healing Art of Music.php
* * *
The Healing Power of Music
The healing power of the drumming is all about rhythm. Rhythm itself has the ability to loosen, free and set things in flow. Rhythm is flow, by definition. Playing or dancing to pleasing rhythms helps the mind and body reach a state of flow (a zone in which a succession goals or activities are being accomplished effortlessly). The most powerful healing effects are from drum circles. The increased number of drums creates a synergistic effect in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When players in a drum circle play with skill the variety of timbres, rhythms, harmonies and so on induces healing. In addition, drum circles are design to be improvisational. The improvisational element also stimulates release, flow and healing. The polyrhythmic quality and improvisational structure of drum circles help to make them a joyous and potent healing experience.
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Birthday at Hogwarts WEst
Birthday cake at SEasons ( HOgwarts WEst)
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Sailboat Drumming Dolphin Cruise in Stuart, Florida
We had a great cruise, a little chilly but beautiful day. Thanks to Cliff, Theresa and the rest for making this possible! More to come.
sailboat drumming in Stuart, fl
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Unity Church St. Petersburg, Florida, Feb. 6, 2011
A really wonderful congregation and pastors. I had a blast, We played three songs with the full band, “This little Light of Mine”, “Don’t worry about a thing”, and “I’ll fly away”. Cool! and I did a short meditation. This will probably happen again beginning of May. The Friday night Rhythm Rally was a big too!
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Sailboat Dolphin Drumming and “7 Essential Grooves” Seminar
OK!!!!!
Here it is. The Florida tour for February 2011.
Friday night we will drum at Unity Church in St. Petersburg Feb. 4 starting about 7. It is a donation which is important to contribute. The church splits the take with me. It is usually a good sized group with a mix of good drummers who listen and share the meditative and the energetic grooves. Not too loud, DANCERS ARE WELCOME. We are under an open air canopy.
Saturday I will do a meditation drumming workshop in Gulfport at the Longhouse on 49th st. Starting at about 6 pm $25.
Sunday, Feb. 6 I will drum at both Unity church services in St. Peterburg in the morning.
Then maybe Gainseville at a healing center. If not, I will stay in St. Pete and have private drum therapy sessions one-on-one with anyone who wants. $1.00 / per minute.
Then Saturday, Feb. 12, We will have a gala Day long series of events in Stuart, Florida!!!
Potluck lunch starts at 11AM
Starting at 1PM we will have a “7 essential grooves” seminar, then at 4 pm we will hoist anchor and set out into the inland waterway to drum with the Atlantic wild dolphins for a couple of hours. COOLLLLL!!!!
http://www.meetup.com/Community-Drum-Dance-of-Palm-Beach-County/events/16373702/
Then Sunday morning, 10AM I will be giving a drumming meditation healing workshop in Coral Gables, Miami. Hosted by Mark Richards. You can get a Facebook connection with Mark. Or email me for directions.
$25.00
Then I will fly back to L.A. on Monday, Feb 14 Valentines day.
Share the Groove
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Drum Set lesson 2
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Back from Kansas City
We had a great drumming meditation workshop in Kansas City. Everyone(52 people) was groovy and great players! My favorite scene- Kansas City rocks! Sean sent me this ghostly pic. If you were there. Send me a pic if you took one!
We also went by Bird’s gravesite to pay respects. Thanks to Patrick Chambers for doing this.
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