Drumming for birth

£149.00

Drumming for birth online course

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Would you like to learn to harness the power of the drum to support the birth journey? Does it feel daunting and you aren’t sure how to start, what is the best way to do it?

What if I told you that it is simple and can be done in a very intuitive manner, and that there isn’t a right way to do it, but rather a range of ways and that each mother knows best what suits her? I have been supporting mothers through their birth journey using drumming for 10 years. By delving into the science behind why drumming is so helpful during birth, and collecting the stories of mothers for whom I have drummed during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, I have been amazed about how powerful it is. Did you know that drumming not only calms the nervous system and produces an altered state of consciousness, but that it also reduces anxiety, but that it even increases the release of endorphins? This is too good not to share, so I’ve decided to create a new online course to share this knowledge. I want to demystify the process and show you that it is simple and  doesn’t require expert knowledge, simply an open heart and willingness to practise.  A bit of background  Pregnancy, birth and the postpartum constitute a profound rite of passage. Expectant families are often guided to seek holistic approaches to enhance their birth experience. One such approach, which is gaining recognition, is the ancient practice of drumming. Rhythm is innate, and every culture around the world has (or has had) drumming traditions.  Beyond its musical and cultural significance, drumming offers a unique potential to support and empower and heal during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Drumming can be part of bringing more sacredness to the pregnancy and birth journey. Pregnancy and birth are sacred processes which deserve reverence and a sense of ritual. In today’s modern healthcare system, where many births take place in hospital settings, it is essential to find ways to re-infuse the birthing process with a sense of sacredness. Adding this ritualistic element that can positively impact the birth experience. During birth, the brain undergoes a modified state of consciousness/trance, due to the effect of birth hormones such as endorphins. This process is not recognised within the Western medical model of maternity care, and neither is the rite of passage/spiritual process. Drumming provides a way to reclaim this. Aside from the trance/spiritual aspect, there are many scientifically proven effects of drumming that support the birth process. These include: Induces relaxation/calms the nervous system Changes brain waves (Alpha/Theta state-trance)- supporting the altered state of consciousness that needs to happen for labour to unfold.

  • Increases endorphins
  • Decreases stress
  • Improves cardiovascular health
  • Decreases anxiety/improves mood
  • Giving birth + rite of passage/ spiritual transition

Women whose births I have supported by drumming confirm this: “During my birth, the drumming felt a bit like when you are jogging and you have power music on, it gave me a power boost. It felt like it was saying “open up, relax, trust your body, have faith in the journey. It made me feel more confident in my abilities.”  Leigh “I wanted a doula who could drum for me during birth for many reasons, to mark a huge initiation, welcome my baby into the world to the sound of the universe’s heartbeat, to have something of me present in a medical situation, a reminder of the vast context of the process I was going through. The main thing I remember was my consciousness ascending with the drumbeat and connecting with my baby’s consciousness and bringing him into this reality before I did it physically.” Ailsa

What does the course contain?

In this course, I will share history, evidence, stories and tutorials to show how simple and effective drumming is. The course will contain:

  • A historical background of drumming
  • Why drumming support the birth journey, with scientific evidence
  • A range of frame drums available and how to pick the right one for you
  • A range of ways of drumming to support birth
  • Videos tutorials showing  how to drum, including drum journeys and drum healing
  • Stories to illustrate how healing and effective drumming is during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum
  • How to tailor what you offer your client’s needs and preferences

By the end of this course, you will know why drumming is such a powerful tool in supporting the birth journey. You will immediately be able to practise and offer drumming to others.

Who is this course for?

This course is for birth professionals, therapists, healers, and for anyone who want to learn how to drum to support the birth journey and women through life's transitions

What makes this course special?

I offer a unique blend of scientific, traditional, and practical knowledge. I have over ten years experience in using drumming to support the birth journey.

About the instructor

I was introduced to shamanic drumming ten years ago and it ignited a deep desire to learn. I acquired my first drum shortly after. I birthed 3 drums and acquired many others. After years of self-teaching, I trained to become a Reiki Drum practitioner and teacher. Drumming is an active practice for me. I drum weekly in the woods with two other women, and I run shamanic drum circles in Cambridge. I use drumming in many of my pregnancy, birth and postpartum support sessions, from pregnancy healing to mother blessings to birth support and postpartum healing ceremonies. I have drummed at homebirths, birth centre births, and even in my local delivery unit. I worked as a birth and postnatal doula for ten years. I also have a diploma in antenatal education and spent several years teaching antenatal classes. I have been facilitating workshops for birth professionals for over ten years, and online courses for 5 years. I know how to present information in a way that is entertaining, easy to follow, and which allows students to learn easily and enjoyably, as well as apply what they have learnt in the class immediately. Prior to being a perinatal educator, I gained a PhD in Physiology of Reproduction and spent 20 years working as a biology research scientist. I also have a DiPhe in antenatal education. I am the author of the book Why Postnatal Recovery Matters, published by Pinter and Martin, and I also wrote a book about drumming to support women through life transitions, called The Beat of Your Own Drum, to be published in 2025.

What is the course format?

  • Over 10h of recording live video training, divided into 7 classes on zoom.
  • As well as access to the recording of the lessons, the course will also includes a large amount of text and extra video modules, available on my website course portal, with no time limit, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
  • Access to a private Facebook group for asking questions, sharing knowledge and ongoing support.
  • A certificate of completion at the end of the course, once you have submitted your case studies.

By the end of the course you will be able to offer drumming for support and healing during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, and during major transitions in women's lives, for yourself, for families and for your community.

If you would like to read my story and of some of the knowledge I will be sharing in this course, read my articles below:

Drum healing, bullshit? And Drumming for Birth: The Wisdom and Science of How Drum Beats Support the Brain and Body to Empower the Birth Journey

And also the article I wrote for the International journal of birth and parenting education.

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