What does drumming have to do with stress relief?

Drum circles, percussion jams, group drumming - there are so many names for it but what does it all mean?

Group drumming is an experience in which people come together to play hand drums and small percussion instruments like shakers, cowbells, and claves. Groups sit in a circle and either have their own groove at the ready or allow patterns to ebb and flow on their own along with a facilitator. These sessions can move from softer, rocking rhythms to driving, booming ones and may involve copying the facilitator’s beats or following their instructions counting out loud. The community coming together to drum is what drives the music, so even if it feels like you have no idea how to keep a beat, you can still participate! These experiences are a space for expressing freely, exploring sound, and letting the drum groove hold the group together.

But what does this have to do with stress relief? Group drumming is an opportunity to enhance well-being. It can help you feel more connected with yourself as you try out different rhythms and with others as you listen to their playing to fit the groove. It can help inspire self-confidence and a sense of empowerment to be a part of a group creating sound together. Group drumming gives stress a chance to wind up and release through playing and increase your resilience and sense of community afterwards.

Curious to try it yourself? Join an upcoming group experience in Loudoun County here!