April 25, 2007

OWU Students Dance to the Beat of a Different Drum

“Don’t you feel that?” says Barbara “Wahru” Cleveland, as she moves to the beat of several drums played by Ohio Wesleyan students. Her visit was part of an annual session to encourage students to use drumming as a form of expression and healing.

Last Thursday marked Cleveland’s seventh annual trip to the Rhythm and Movement class in Edwards Gymnasium. A toxicologist by trade, she grew up listening to music at her church and became involved with the Columbus Women’s Drum Chorus as a release from her day-to-day professional life.

“If I didn’t do this, I’d go crazy,” Cleveland says with a smile. Aside from being a fun activity, she noted the emotional and physical healing benefits that result from drumming. It is used for treatment and rehabilitation of abuse victims, Alzheimer’s patients, and even those suffering from depression.

Marge Redmond, who teaches the Rhythm and Movement class, is adamant that the vibrations make a strong impact on the body. The alternative to verbally sharing thoughts with a support group, she says, is a good fit for those individuals who aren’t ready for traditional therapy.

Redmond tells the story of a former student who suffered from depression. Arriving to Cleveland’s session with a terrible head cold, the vibrations and endorphins resulting from the drumming cleared his nasal passages by the end of the session. It wasn’t a miracle cure, but the activity definitely impacted the student’s outlook.

“Anything that people have a passion for, it’ll take them to another level of emotional and physical health,” says Redmond.

During Cleveland’s session at Ohio Wesleyan, the students were asked to perform various drum beats, sing an “I like you, you like me…” song, and even participate in a follow-the-leader dance activity. At the end, Cleveland asked each of the students to reflect on his or her experience.

“I kind of want to get a drum now,” says Christy Sicher ’07, summing up the consensus.

Says Redmond, “I would love for Barbara to come and do a session once a week or once a month. I think it would go over well.”

— Ann Bailey