DRUMMING… MORE THAN JUST FUN 
By Giselle Felicia Vivian, BM CHT  

We all share in the natural rhythmic experience of our heartbeats and breath.  We live in a world beating in rhythm, from the music we listen to, the sound of the car’s wiper blades on a rainy day, the staccato of a jackhammer, or the trill of a small bird.  Rhythm is everywhere. 

When we begin to drum, we begin to get back in touch with our essential selves and reconnect to our personal life rhythms.  The longer we drum together, the more we begin to entrain to each other and co-create a rhythmic container for unity, community, connection, collaboration and celebration with others that leaves behind our differences and instead, reminds us how much we are alike.  With the support of a conscious rhythm-based event facilitator, group drumming events allow us to come together in a safe, fun and enjoyable way, sharing the unfolding spontaneous musical journey, and/or, the achievement of other non-musical goals.  You don’t need to own any percussion instruments because they are often provided for use during the event. 

Whether you drum alone or in a group, drumming can be a fun and beneficial activity.  It can be a tool to non-verbally vent stress and pent-up emotions, express your creative spirit, and help you assess and re-establish a healthy life rhythm. This activity has been so popular because it is accessible to everyone and requires no previous skills.  During a drum circle, we begin by establishing a basic pulse.  After you have selected an instrument to play, you can join in the drum call by matching the pulse being played, echoing it, or have fun making up your own part. From that point on, just remain conscious of the pulse of the moment and create a rhythm that flows easily within it.  There is no right or wrong. This is different from cultural drumming where traditions are observed and specific parts are dictated by the song.

Since each person is unique, our own individual rhythms will vary. When we drum with intention and awareness, we can find the rhythms that make us feel good, relax us and/or energize us. This awareness can transfer to the pace of our daily life activities and support creating a healthier personal life rhythm.     

Trance-formed Consciousness, LLC offers group and individual rhythm-based programs to meet a variety of interests.  Learn more by visiting our page:  Rhythm Programs & Special Event Facilitation  

To learn more about Giselle's other healing arts and coaching services, visit:

www.trance-formedconsciousness.com
     
www.gisellefeliciavivian.com

Visit us on Facebook:
One Heartbeat Rhythm Circles, Community Drum Circle

OUR LATEST NEWS!!! Updated Wednesday, OCT.  23, 2013
FINAL MONTHLY EVENTS AT MANZANO MESA MULTi-GENERATIONAL CENTER!
After 12+ years of continuous community activities, we will be taking some time off during the beginning of 2014 to renew ourselves and vision the future of our Community Programs.  This means that we will be wrapping up our monthly activities at Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center on December 20th.  Thanks to the staff of this center for welcoming us all these past years.  We will continue to be available for our consulting and special event facilitation services.   

Monthly Drum Circle at Manzano Mesa
Hosted by Giselle Felicia Vivian & Frank Vivian,
Trance-formed Consciousness 
     
Final Circle at this venue: 12/20/13 The Last Hurray Boom Bah!
3rd Friday of the month at 7:30PM in Room 4. Doors open @ 7:00PM. Early arrival suggested and Instrument reservation required to insure availability of loan instrument.  Please call by noon on day of event: (505) 232-9010.
click here for details

2014- DRUM CIRCLE GROOVES - LEVEL 1
TBD
Learn the basics of playing body drums for recreational music-making and fun!  Bring your djembe, ashiko, timbau, tubano or conga. Doumbeks, also welcome. Limited drums available for class use with Pre-registration and reservation.  Each session is stand alone.  Enroll in the4-session  series and save! $10 per session or $35 for the series.  Call (505) 232-9010 to Pre-register and reserve a drum.  Those with their own instruments may drop-in with RSVP requested to set up room. Thanks! 

Giselle Felicia VIvian, BM CHT has participated in the BEAT THE ODDS, Social and Emotional Skill Building Delivered In A Framework of Drumming, Evidence-based and Sustainable Program training offered at the American Dance Therapy Association's Annual Conference.  She had the pleasure of providing instruments for the event in Albuquerque, NM lead by presenters, Ping Ho, MA, MPH and Kathy Cass, MA, BC-DMT, NCC, CYT.  

Visit www.recreationtherapy.com/articles.htm to read a new article about Giselle's work with local veterans @ the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, NM.  Look for "12/7/11  Drumbeats Bring Therapeutic Rhythm to Veterans’ Lives by Bill Armstrong, Public Affairs Specialist, New Mexico VA Health Care System", and click on link to download article.

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PROJECT HEARTBEAT is now Trance-formed Consciousness, LLC. ONE HEARTBEAT RHYTHM CIRCLES TM is a program of this new entity. Please make all payments payable to Trance-formed Consciousness. Thank you.