Get Your Flu Shot in a Drum Circle?

By:  Judy Atkinson Living Well Between the Beats Last Friday night I attended the first Circles of Rhythm drum circle in 2019 and the following quote, which was written after my very first drum circle in 1997, came to mind and became a reality once again: “I walked into the drum circle sad and weary, I walked out on fire!” The …

Healing Starts Here

There is so much pain in the First Nations Community. Addictions, trauma, and soul level hurting are so prevalent in their lives. The pain from the past still haunts them today. Where can healing even begin? On Wednesday November 16th, I was asked to facilitate a group of First Nations who came together to drum for Wellness. It was incredible …

Letting Go of Shame

Once a month a local women’s shelter has a therapeutic drum circle. This program has been gaining momentum and appreciation from the women who live there, and on Monday October 17th we had the largest turnout yet! The women who have been attending monthly are so excited and cannot wait for the next circle.  Some women have just moved in …

Alberta Aphasia Camp, Drumming For Wellness

On Sunday September 18th, 2016,The Department of Sciences and Disorders from the University of Alberta held a summer camp for people living with a brain injury and surviving and thriving with a condition known as Aphasia. They asked Circles of Rhythm to attend and facilitate a drumming session. In years past one of our affiliates from the Edmonton area had done …

Women’s Shelter, Drumming Making a Difference

For the last year Circles of Rhythm has been offering a therapeutic drumming program at a local women’s shelter. The women are not obligated to attend, so at times there are only two participants. Even when two women show up we carry on and have a lovely evening. The circle in July was special because we had five women attend, …

Is Circles of Rhythm A Good Thing?

Judy received this incredible feedback from a gentleman. He was responding to her ensure that she is aware of the impact she and her team of facilitators and volunteers have had on his life. Sometimes in life we question if we are making a difference, and when we receive recognition like this, we can step back and say, “Thank-you, universe …

What can I do?

I was given the opportunity to bring a group of women together to facilitate a rhythm cradle evening for them. Some had drummed before, some had not, and two women had even participated in the Rhythm Cradle before. There were eight ladies present for the event and it happens with three rounds of giving and receiving support healing and nurturing …

Why do you drum? Reflections on a Rhythm Lodge

  Why do you drum??   Most people do not have and answer to that question as it is their first time drumming let alone in a circle of people! At the end of a drum circle my hope is that they have an answer to the question, and they decide to return to a drum circle again. The answers can …

Humble Pie ANYONE?

Humble pie anyone? Today I was to facilitate a very special group of people. All of these people’s lives have been touched by something in common. Cancer. The drumming today was the first of a six-week session for these survivors and their caregivers. I was on my way and pulling up to the site when I got a phone call. …

Drumming up Wellness at AHS, Written by Julien Lepage

She walked into the room with her head down; unaware of her surroundings. Consumed by the physical pain and a swelling of the soul, that depression often brings any person who is experiencing the sting of mental illness. Her friend had dragged her out of her home to drum… “You need to experience this” she said with a deep respect …