Drum to the beat of your health

Most of my friends complain that exercise and going to the gym bore them to tears and I could not agree with them more. But with the evolution of exercise into many forms of activity which include a whole group of participants, exercise need not be boring anymore. Today, there are exercise classes that you can join with your entire family, your officemates, and friends. 

I just attended an exercise class at Fitness First which used drumsticks and balls as their tools for exercise. I thought that I would be totally bored with it because how many movements can one do with drumsticks and a ball?  To my surprise, it was such a fun experience which kept me moving for a whole hour, sprinting from side to side, front and back, squatting on the floor and rising, stretching my arms to the side with drumsticks in both hands, to the front, to the floor, up above — whew!  I must have burned the calories of my entire lunch when the hour was over. I guarantee it is a fun activity for the whole family and a sure-fire way to lose weight if done on a consistent basis.

Asia Group exercise trainer and master trainer for Drums Alive Jacqueline Wong, who led a class of local media members at Fitness First in SM Megamall, says, “Drums Alive is perfect for Filipinos because while it has several health benefits, it does not feel like a workout at all. Participants do not get tired easily because they are enjoying being mentally, physically, and emotionally engaged.  They can even bring their families and friends to join them in the fun, making it a social experience, too.”

As I read in a drum therapy article, Drums Alive mixes the dynamic movements of aerobic dance with the pulsating rhythms of the drums. “It is a unique sensory/motor program that is designed to give the mind and body instant feedback through continuous movement and rhythmical flow.” It is a program that utilizes “whole brain-whole body” thinking by developing sensory motor reflexes and kinesthetic awareness. The physiological and psychological benefits are numerous and include those found in traditional forms of aerobic fitness.

 In addition, research on drumming shows that it improves and increases the neurological connection between both brain hemispheres.  

“This synchronization of the right and left hemispheres through drumming shows a stimulation of alpha brain wave activity which can lead to higher levels of concentration, sensory and motor improvement, and an overall sense of well-being.”

Burning calories at Fitness First: Drums Alive mixes the dynamic movements of aerobic dance with the pulsating rhythms of the drums.b

Drums Alive allows the instructor to help participants feel the deeper rhythms of life by using rhythm and movement as the source of inspiration.  The ability to drum is in all of us. The language is universal, speaking to all people equally. 

Drums Alive’s vision-mission is to make life better for everyone throughout the world with the healing experience of movement and rhythm. Through tailored programming, Drums Alive will improve the quality of life for a wide variety of audiences, including mentally and physically challenged children as well as gifted and talented ones. They also target fit and healthy children and adults, and also those with aggression issues, senior citizens, stroke patients, those with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and other life-altering conditions.

   Shall we all drum to the beat of our health?