Drums and special kids

Tomorrow is the Raise the Vibration drumming at the Yoga Center on Franklin Ave. Come and join us for an uplifting time, fun, and sending great intention out into the Universe. It does us good, right down to our soul even though we may not realize it.(We drum from 7 until about 8:30).


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Some say it is that the drum reminds us of a heartbeat, I think that is the tiniest part of the basics of the drum. It is that, but much , much more. To me that sound goes back to past lives, it goes back to that which is stored in our DNA.It goes back to when we were all one tribe in what is now Africa. Maybe the heartbeat comes from those same places, but the drum goes beyond that heartbeat. If that were such a huge draw to us, we would all be walking around with stethoscopes on our necks.

There is a part of the drum that speaks to you in words you do not understand, but you get the energy of it. You don't need to understand. I have a son who has autism, and friends and family that also have special needs kids. They were born with different challenges, but yet they all love the drums. Big ones, little ones, slow beats, fast beats...it doesn't matter. The drum is pure magic to them. Some come out of their shyness, some get lulled to sleep, but the drum is magic.

The magic works because they don't worry about what the origin of the drum is, what the meaning of the song is, or any tradition, or legend. They just like it. The sound, the resonating, the energy.

One person told me once it is because all drumming is shamanic and it heals them. Bullcrap. Pure bullcrap. Drumming began as a way of communication between humans. Shamanic drumming is part of certain curing ceremonies (mostly South American), but the drumming itself is much more than that. It is much more primal. Our ancestors chose to communicate with a drum. Why? The answer is because it gets our immediate attention, it goes into our DNA, our energy, our aura, and does things to us.
When you limit the drum to a shamanic tool, you do it a great injustice. That is like me saying screwdrivers are only for removing light switch covers.

The drum was used to give signals during warfare...it didn't have very "spiritual" beginning, yet has become a spiritual tool. The drum has come full circle, it has been through all its' energies and connotations. It has experienced life in every aspect, something we as humans get to do over many lifetimes.

The drum hasn't "cured" my son, nor friend's children, nor other family members, so I can't prescribe to that theory at all, but I do know they love the drum. I remember Matt handing my son a drum that Matt had made at a bonfire out on our property one night. He not only drummed away, but started singing songs. We had a rousing round of B-I-N-G-O (the dog song), and Scott led us through it, drumming perfectly through the whole song. I though one song and he would be off, but no, it was drumming night at the bonfire.We were all laughing and singing and having a grand old time.

The big drum speaks deeply to our friends, and it is so many things.It was made with the intent to teach and heal, and it does just that. It is more than wood and hide. It is an energy all its' own.

For those of you who have a special needs child, try drumming. There are drum circles all over, and the ones that have lots of high energy and different types of rounds seem to work best. Whether they pick up a drumstick or take a nap, the kids will love it in their own way. You may find yourself making or buying a drum after their first drum experience.

Drums are a part of the Universe, and so is the spirit that resides in them, the children KNOW that spirit and respond to it.

Happy drumming!!!


Peshaui Wequashimese

(C)2011 Triple Moon Goddess Gina, May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.