Shift Your Rhythm, Boost Your Mindset
When I first began doing drum therapy, I knew that it would help my clients focus. I had no idea that it could also boost your mindset, as well as your clarity and confidence! It was a female entrepreneur who realized that if you shift your rhythm, you can shift your brain – and change your life.
Seems too good to be true, right? But those were her actual words, based on her sessions with me. It wasn’t just the drum therapy techniques I taught her, it was also what I said to help her gain clarity and release. Just as beats and rhythms can be healing, so can words.
What are you telling yourself?
Yes, words can be healing but the opposite is also true. If you’re not moving forward, consider the things that you’re telling yourself. How many of them are negative or full of anxiety? My guess is a lot.
If you want to move forward, you’re going to have to flip the switch. When you focus more on possibilities instead of problems, not only will your outlook change but you may actually feel lighter. But you need to be open to trying something new. You also you need to be open and honest so that you’ll be ready to release.
To use music as an example, think of how you feel when you hear music in a movie that sounds intense, angry, or even scary. Notice how that makes your body feel. It makes you tense up and perhaps even feel fearful. It’s that “fight or flight response.” Imagine what that can do to your body and brain if that’s inside of you all the time.
Drumming and brain science
As most drummers know, drumming is fun! However, few people know that there’s a whole lot of brain science behind it. Even though I didn’t know much about neuroscience when I first began using drum therapy in my tutoring business more than 10 years ago, I knew that it synced up the left and right hemispheres of your brain, so you can focus better and that it boosted these kids’ academic performance – really quickly!
This article describes a study that involved professional drummers. However, what I’ve discovered is that amazing results can be seen, even with those who have never drummed before and even if they’re only using a hand drum, like a djembe.
Drumming can boost your brain, which can boost your mindset, and yes, even your life. My drum therapy client was right. It took several more years and many more clients to test this out but it seemed to work really well – especially with those who were ready to let go of what was holding them back so they could release. I know it helped me heal and move forward. It became my Divine Assignment to use it to help others.
Intrigued? Click my calendar link and let’s set up a time to chat!
Dori Staehle lives in the Raleigh, NC area and is a certified drum therapist and owner of Next Stage Drumming. She offers innovative, holistic, and evidenced-based therapeutic drumming programs for individuals and groups for the purpose of boosting mental and physical health. Dori specializes in seniors, special needs, and female Christian entrepreneurs. Virtual and in-person programs are available. Click here to schedule a call to find out more!