The Drums Alive® Mission
Using rhythm as the source of inspiration to discover a new group fitness experience Drums Alive® combines the benefits of a traditional physical fitness program with the brain affected benefits of music and rhythm. Drums Alive® is a program that fosters a healthy balance physically, mentally, emotionally and socially!
Join a class and experience how it provides an element of fun and creative expression.
The Drums Alive® Vision:
We have a dream to make life better for everyone throughout the world with the healing experience of movement and rhythm through the Drums Alive® program.
Through specific programming Drums Alive® will improve:
- the quality of life for a wide variety of audiences;
- including mentally and physically challenged children;
- gifted and talented children; fit and healthy children and adults;
- children and adults with aggression issues;
- senior citizens; and patients with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and other life-altering conditions.
History
The Drums Alive® history is one that originated out of necessity. Carrie Ekins, the originator of the program, suffered a devastating hip injury. The required rehabilitation was the typical long process, and being Carrie, she decided to have some fun while progressing along the recovery pathway. HOW? She began to drum on boxes, and unexpectedly experienced the positive effects of that drumming, both aerobically and mentally.
She ventured onto the internet to explore the reason for the feelings of euphoria while doing the “drumming”. What she found was, the brain was definitely being affected. The drum patterns helped the brain to generate enhanced Alpha waves, synchronize the hemispheres, as well as enhance the healing of the body on many levels. Hence, the euphoric feeling, and the birth of a fantastic program…. Drums Alive®
Carrie Ekins
Drums Alive® Founder
Drums Alive® and Carrie Ekins have been recognized by some of the leading fitness and wellness associations and continues to reach new markets in schools and therapy institutes.
Enjoy the drumming, and Drums Alive® will improve your physical health, as well as neurological well being. Both of them together are a mind/body experience , and are greatly enhanced by the rhythmical drumming patterns.
Drums Alive® joins the dynamic movements of aerobic dance with the pulsating rhythms of the drum. It is a unique sensory/motor program that is designed to give the mind and body instant feedback through continuous movement and rhythmical flow. It is a program that utilizes “whole brain – whole body” thinking by developing sensory motor reflexes and kinesthetic awareness. The physiological and psychological benefits are numerous including those found in traditional forms of aerobic fitness. Drumming has also been found to improve and increase the neurological connection between the 2 brain hemispheres, stimulating Alpha brain wave activity which can lead to higher levels of concentration, sensory/motor improvement, and an overall sense of well being.
Laboratory research by Andrew Neher, a Physiological Explanation of Unusual Behavior in Ceremonies Involving Drums showed that drumming produces changes in the central nervous system. The rhythmic stimulation affects the electrical activity in many sensory and motor areas of the brain. The single beat of a drum contains many sound frequencies, and accordingly it simultaneously transmits impulses along a variety of nerve pathways in the brain. Recent research (Bittmann., Magazine Alternative Therapy, January 2001) has also shown that there is a positive influence on the human immune system and drum therapy is being used throughout the world in a variety of therapy programs.
Rhythm and music have been an integral part of our lives throughout history. It has always been associated with spirituality, songs of worship, rites of passage, chants, praise and has also been accepted as a healing strategy. Music and rhythm bond people together, it is a way of communication and of celebration Our first experience with rhythm began safe within in our mother s womb. The two rhythms joined together creating a peaceful and calming song. Rhythmically we are most drawn to the patterns that emulate the ongoing dance of life, the heartbeat, ocean tides, lunar cycles, and the rise and fall of our breath.
Rhythm and movement in the form of drumming and dance are ancient technologies for raising energy, inducing ecstatic experience, as well as providing a sense of community. Rhythmical movement is an aesthetic experience and aesthetic pleasure. Emile Jaques-Dalcroze recognized that musical rhythm depended absolutely on motor consciousness for it is fullest expression. That expression is found in the powerful rhythms and dynamic dance of the Drums Alive® program.