Drum Circle

Every January 1st, people around the world make New Year's resolutions. 9 times out of 10, that resolution is to lose weight. Whether you are in tip top shape and want to trim down an extra pound or two, or you are 50 pounds overweight and want to create a whole new you, your goal to lose weight is the beginning of a journey toward better health. Unfortunately, the best way to lose weight is through exercise, and there are many people out there who do not find exercise to be fun. One way to jazz up your exercise program is to pop on your iPod and get motivated through the sounds of your favorite rock tunes, djembe beats or jazz classics. Even better, research has found that there is a connection between music and your brain's ability to exercise and lose weight. Music is there to motivate you, make exercise more pleasant, and can even assist in your weight loss.

Recent studies have shown that our bodies have what is called a 'Rhythm response' to music. As we exercise and listen to music that we like, our internal rhythm adjusts to the beat of the song. Because we adjust to it and match our movements to the beat, it motivates our bodies to persist and can actually increase our enjoyment. The rhythmic activity drives you to continue exercising by distracting you from that little voice that may say "Stop, I'm tired."

The rhythm response is tied to your hearts beats per minute (bpm) as well. In cycling, your exercise level is measured by the cadence of your spinning wheels. If you continue to spin at a high rate without a lot of rest, you are said to have a high cadence. The beat of the music can match and increase your cadence, thus pushing you to perform longer and harder than if you were not listening. When you hear a runner say that they were really 'in the groove' of the run, you can be sure that the music they were listening to helped them along.

Your body's rhythm response can create internal memories that can affect your eating patterns. If you listen to the same playlist around the house that you listen to when you are exercising, it can help distract you from activities you'd rather not engage in. For example, if you are making lunch and listening to a particularly motivating song, you might not be as tempted to pop food in your mouth as you are cooking. A song that really ramps you up and makes you want to get out and exercise might make you think twice about eating an entire chocolate bar.

Another reason that music can help you with weight loss? Music is always there for you. Unlike your jogging buddy who decides that 6 am is way too early to get up and move, your favorite songs are just an iPod and a set of headphones away. The thought of music may be enough to get you out of bed and moving each morning, which can contribute greatly to your weight loss.

There is a reason that people respond to music in the way that they do: Our bodies are programmed too. Starting out on an exercise program? Grab your iPod and get going on your way to a new and healthy you!

Share your favorite exercise playlists below!

Labels: african dance, music, Music Education, music.therapy

African dance's popularity is due in large part to the involvement of djembe players.

African dance is a means of creating community and of celebration. African dances teach people about their society and morals, while urging them to work and entertaining them. It is an important aspect of communication, as dance can be used to chastise or praise individuals. Dance is also used for religious festivals and prayers.

Traditional dance emphasizes the collective, with groups of people performing at once. Though the dancers may be separated into age or gender groups, dances articulates the togetherness of the community.

African dance can be difficult to learn, as it utilizes polyrhythm, in which limbs, pelvis and chest move separately, to different rhythms.
Dancers use their entire bodies to express themselves.

The most recognizable aspects of African dance involve the body of the dancer. Knees are bent, feet are stretched, no line remains stationery, always moving. There are many centers of motions, due to polyrhythm. In traditional African dance, there was a great emphasis on the earth bond.

African dance classes are becoming popular as a result of their association with Modern dance. Modern dance borrows heavily from more primal forms of movement, like the dance of the Masaii where performers jump up and down repetitively. The dance has found a huge market for people interested in stress relief, as well as those interested in the aerobic benefits.

Enrolling in African dance classes is a simple way to gain exposure to another culture. Beyond exercise and learning a new skill, African dance classes provide opportunities to join a community. What better way to build a village than to do so by swinging hips, stomping feet and swaying arms?

Djembe drummers lead African dance classes. A djembe drum is a West African hand drum with a body that is hand-carved from a single piece of wood, with a goatskin drumhead. Serious drummers usually buy African djembes, because they are made with higher quality materials than American drumheads. African goats have tougher skins, which makes for a better drumhead, and American drums are frequently made of plastic, fiberglass, or any number of manmade materials, which changes the sound created.

The drumbeat is the heart of many African communities. Drums are used as a call for meeting, and playing the drums in concert with a group of people creates a sense of solidarity and togetherness. The drum allows connection.

The drum also allows for polyrhythm, one of the central parts of African dance. The djembe player can vary the sound of the instrument, changing the mood or meaning of the song, as well as the course of the dance. The djembe player controls the dance, creating the rhythm and feeling of the music.

The beauty of the music of the African dance is that the djembe is portable, so the music is mobile. Dance doesn’t occur simply in studios, it follows the djembe player like children following the Pied Piper. Even better, members of the dancing troupe can take over for the djembe player, due to the ease of performance and learning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/ / CC BY 2.0

Labels: african dance, african.drumming