The Drum Circle Movement is gaining momentum is the U.S.-in therapeutic, community and industrial settings. The recreational drumming movement follows the Recreational Music Making theme-it gives people permission to play-it's totally non-judgmental. Group drumming is the simplest form of Recreational Music Making and the easiest musical expression for non-musicians. According to psychotherapist Robert Lawrence Friedman, author of The Healing Power of the Drum, drumming is innate within us because of our own inner rhythms-our heartbeats, our breathing, our brainwaves."

A Drum Circle Is:

• A community music-making event where people sit or stand in a circle while playing world percussion instruments.
• People play improvised rhythms. Music is created in the moment.
• Instead of a teacher, there is a facilitator - someone with musical experience and facilitation training who leads from the center of the circle.
• In the Drum Circle, there is no audience. Everyone is part of the performance

Programs are evolving such as:

• Wellness Drumming

Group drumming and Music Therapy are being used more and more in therapeutic situations as a means of stress reduction.

8 Therapeutic Elements of Group Drumming

1. Drumming is accessible
   It provides successful experiences to everyone - All ages, people with physical challenges, people with no music experience.
   
   
2. Drumming is good music
   It involves improvising beautiful music.
   
   
3. Drumming is expressive
   It helps to control and release emotions and stress.
   
   
4. Drumming is physical
   It involves coordination of the body and mind, and is good exercise.
   
   
5. Drumming is powerful
   The drum represents power so people feel empowered to play it.
   
   
6. Drumming is communication
   It is a universal language.
   
   
7. Drumming is bonding
   It creates a feeling of support and connection in the group setting.
   
   
8. Drumming is cognitive
   It requires perception, attention, and memory.