Press Releases

From Mount Forest Confederate, Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Mount Forest, Ontario
(Photo courtesy of Mount Forest Confederate ©Kris Svela, 2005, used with permission)

Drumming Up Better Health

IN THE SPIRIT - Allison Dineen gets into the drum of things during a drum therapy session at the Mount Forest Day Nursery last week.

They were drumming up a bit of health.

Children at Mount Forest Day Nursery drummed out tunes as part of a program called HealthRHYTHMS put on by facilitator Zoë Kessler. It's part of a four-week percussion program provided by Diana's Drum, Mount Forest's newest and maybe loudest new business.

According to Ms. Kessler, HealthRHYTHMS has been scientifically proven by researcher and neurologist Dr. Barry Bittman to reduce stress and increase the body's natural killer cells attributed to fighting cancer and other viruses.

At the nursery school children as young as 20 months participated beating on drums, shaking apple shakers, singing songs, and being merry.

The therapeutic drum sessions were also held at Birmingham Lodge and at the Village Seniors Community in Hanover.

"What I liked the most about the session was watching the reluctant residents get into the action and seeing smiles and enthusiasm light up their faces," Lodge Activity Coordinator Diane Turk said.

Tapping into that primal rhythm is now being used as a powerful therapeutic tool in the workplace where it has been known to reduce burn-out and absenteesim. In a health care setting it has been known to decrease stress, increase immunity, enhance well being and give a sense of empowerment and community to participants.

Diana's Drum facilitates drum circles in Mount Forest and area and is also available to individuals.

To find out more, contact Zoë Kessler at (519) 376-8787