Lesson 18: Wellness

What Is Wellness

The term wellness was first used by a physician named Halbert L. Dunn, who published a booklet entitled “High Level Wellness” in 1961. Dr. Dunn saw wellness as a lifestyle approach for pursuing elevated states of physical and psychological well-being. www.what_is_wellness.htm

Seven words say it all… Our thoughts and feelings influence our health!

Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Wellness combines seven dimensions of well-being into a quality way of living. Overall, wellness is the ability to live life to the fullest and to maximize personal potential in a variety of ways.

There are many interrelated dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, and environmental. Each dimension is equally vital in the pursuit of optimum health.

Wellness and Wellness Beats

“When people gather to drum, they gather to heal and facilitate an awakening to a powerful light within. Drumming wakes up something inside, a palpable energy, a life force deep within the cells of our being that release the memory and a knowing that drumming is good medicine!” Melinda Rodriquez

Wellness Beats is a program designed to integrate movement and rhythm, and create a harmony and balance of the body, mind and spirit. It uses the powerful natural rhythms of ethnic drums. Wellness Beats allows time and space for self-discovery and exploration by decreasing complexity and increasing repetition and simplicity. This portion of the program allows you to let go, enjoy the rhythmical experience, and be present in the moment.

Drumming is a technique that connects us with the deeper rhythms of life. Repetitive movements and rhythms enable the body to relax and free the mind from day to day stressors, demands, and desires. Because of this we are able to open the mind and be creative and highly functional.

The next step is to allow individuals to create their own rhythms. Through this creative process, the self is actualized and a balance achieved through the feeling of success of creating a personal drumming rhythm. The choreography in this section should be simple, easy to follow and repetitive, just like the rhythm. Just standing in place and beating the drum in time to the music is enough to capture the feeling. Working with a partner will help bond people together and provide them with a sense of community.

Elements of Drums Alive’s Wellness Beats

• Teach and execute proper form and technique to ensure safety.
• Foster a non-competitive environment.
• Movement and rhythms should be simple and easy to follow
• Develop movement and rhythms that are a cognitive challenge
• Encourage children to actively participate to gain the physical benefits.
• Support and reward creativity and participation.