Good vibrations emanated from 4th Street Studio on Tuesday night when 16 people sat down to discover the health benefits and long history of drums at Rhythm by Nature drumming circle.
Hosted by facilitator Patrick Carrick, the group were invited to play a variety of drums and percussion instruments in a two-hour session that was foremost a fun evening playing drums, but also a teaching session on the history and how drums can be used to heal. Carrick, a professional drummer for 15 years, led the drumming, explaining in nature, following a rhythm is instinctive and includes everything from sound, to movement and even seasonal and weather patterns. He also delved into the long and universal history of drums, pointing out similar designs, like large frame drums and most hand drums, can be found across the world.
Among the benefits of of drumming are treating nerve pain and stress, to ancient cultural practices like spiritual and meditative methods of drumming. The latter half of the session was dedicated to this with a demonstration in “sound bathing,” where people played drums softly near people’s bodies to produce a calming effect.
Carrick was on a tour of the Boundary area, returning to his home region in the Columbia Basin, with plans to return in the future.
Photos by Karen McKinley