Dissolving ill-health, accessing creativity and most importantly having fun!
http://www.scopemagazine.com.au/heal-your-body-through-african-drumming
What is your idea of fun? How do you relax, unwind and get back into your body? Do you exercise, take part in a regular class and surround yourself with like-minded people?
Being healthy is a combination of mind, body and spirit. Weakness in any of these areas can cause fatigue, depression or general ill health.
Three steps to re-gaining your health:
Commitment and acceptance
This may be a process and may take several attempts but practice makes perfect. Commit yourself to a weekly practice that pulls you out of your normal everyday life. A practice that empowers you, distracts you and surrounds you with others. Push through the resistance to this commitment and accept the challenges that come with stepping out of your comfort zone. ‘Fake it til you make it!’ Do it!
Stop waiting for your illness to cease until you start living. Start living now. There is a place for you within society exactly as you are now, its just a matter of finding it. You can still contribute and make a difference with an illness, and this very fact is what can pull you out of ill-health. Accept where you are now. Let go of the expectation, that you need to achieve complete health until you can begin doing all the things a healthy person does. As long as you hold onto this you cannot be living in the present. Joy can come and go in a second. Grab it!
Saying yes to opportunities that may arise. If you stay ‘awake’ and remain present you will begin to notice opportunities appearing to assist you on your road back to health. Take that weekly class, see that student counsellor, begin that new course or read that new book. There is a message in everything. See it!
Over 1000 years ago, West African Drumming was a part of the Manding Empire ,which included Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso. The rhythms originated from the women clapping and singing as they worked and lived in remote villages. Over time drums and other traditional instruments accompanied the songs and dances.
Every rhythm has a cultural context from helping workers plough fields to birth and full moon ceremonies. Many rhythms are significant of a major life event, an individuals craft and even the location of a particular place! For example, the rhythm Moribayassa was played after a woman had overcome a huge life challenge such as infertility. The woman would put on all of her raggedy clothes and dance like a wild woman around the village accompanied by the musicians.
Have you felt what its like to take part in a rhythm and hear your contribution as one beautiful effortless sound. Empowerment and the door of creativity is swung open and expanded when entranced by the ancient art-form of West African drumming. This particular practice opens the heart, ears and coordinates every cell of your body. Its a workout, an addiction and a wonderful cultural practice to consume. Healing occurs through empowerment, creativity and community.
The key to healing is finding a balance and sourcing nourishment to activate all areas in your life. Mind, body and spirit.
Be sure to check out and experience this art-form right here on the Sunshine Coast. Regular classes and workshops in African drumming and dancing are available at www.rhythmculture.com.au
