Sustaining Rhythms

Category: Uncategorized

  • A New Chapter for Sustaining Rhythms

    After spending the past several years working full-time in the Information Technology industry, I am excited to announce my return to the work that has long been close to my heart: building connection, community and wellbeing through rhythm.

    At the end of this month, I will be retiring from full-time employment and beginning a new chapter focused on sharing the benefits of participatory drumming and rhythm-based programs throughout Western Australia.

    While Sustaining Rhythms is a new website, the journey behind it is not new. My involvement in community drumming, rhythm facilitation, DRUMBEAT, HealthRHYTHMS and community music-making spans many years, and throughout my time in the technology sector I continued to maintain an active interest in rhythm facilitation, community participation and wellbeing.

    Retirement provides an opportunity to return more fully to this work and to expand the range of programs available to schools, aged care communities, community organisations, wellness groups and regional communities.

    The new Sustaining Rhythms website brings together a growing range of offerings, including:

    • Schools and OSHC programs
    • DRUMBEAT-informed social and emotional learning activities
    • Aged care and seniors programs
    • Community rhythm experiences
    • Wellness and mindfulness programs
    • Expressive Rhythm Stories for younger children
    • The developing Regional Rhythm Roadshow initiative

    At its heart, Sustaining Rhythms is based on a simple idea:

    No musical experience is required. Everyone can participate.

    Whether through a school workshop, an aged care program, a community event or a moment of shared rhythm and connection, the goal remains the same: creating positive experiences that bring people together.

    Over the coming months I look forward to reconnecting with old friends, developing new partnerships and working with organisations and communities that share a commitment to participation, inclusion and wellbeing.

    Thank you for visiting the new website.

    I invite you to explore the programs on offer, follow future updates through the blog, and get in touch if you would like to discuss a program for your organisation or community.

    Here’s to the next chapter.

    Glenn Huxtable
    Sustaining Rhythms
    Building Connection Through Rhythm

  • Science says drumming is good for you.

    The gift of the drum circle is we all gather together to connect on a deep level. We feel each other’s joys and challenges.

    — Sally Bonkrude, music therapist

    https://www.nextavenue.org/health-benefits-drumming/

  • Natural Killer Cells, a breakthrough in cancer treatment

    From HealthRhythms of Central Pennsylvania Facebook page:

    The Nobel Peace Prize for Medicine was awarded this week to two scientists for finding a breakthrough in cancer treatment by enhancing the body’s own immune system. This is called immunotherapy, and works by increasing the number of natural killer (NK) cells.

    NK cells have this definition. “A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called NK cell and NK-LGL.”

    This is great breakthrough and is hailed as a new direction in cancer care, and requires drug intervention. At this time, this has not been proven to work in all cancers. More work will continue.

    While this is great news, another study published in 2007, also found a way to significantly increase NK cells through drumming. Specifically following the HealthRHYTHMS recreational music making (RMM) protocol for six months.
    Here is a quote from the conclusion of that research paper by Wachi, et. al..

    “Additionally, gene expression of the stress-induced cytokine, IL-10, decreased and NK cell activity increased. This finding suggests that RMM elicits reversal of the expected stress influence. This ameliorative effect on stress warrants further investigation of RMM as an effective new means of job stress management”
    .
    Other research work on group drumming and other mindful practices has demonstrated a reduction in stress and a boost in the body’s immune system. All this at a much lower cost that treatments requiring drugs and with no side effects.
    The Wachi paper and other research works on the effects of drumming and mindful practice on the immune system can be found in RRR at:

    https://www.rhythmresearchresources.net/drum-therapy-immune-system.html
    https://www.rhythmresearchresources.net/mindfulness-links-research.html

     

  • Can Drumming Protect The Aging Brain?

    Your brain shrinks with age, leaving you with impaired memory and at risk for dementia. Here’s how #drumming can help solve the problem. #pleaseshare #brainhealth #healthyaging

     

  • Untitled post 3
    Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul — Plato