This is my favorite song my World Unity CD. It is dedicated to the peace makers. So enjoy the sounds and think of ways you can bring more peace and harmony to the world! As a famous musician once said, Give Peace a chance!

Another aspect of the expo are the celebrities that hang out incognito. You never know who you will run into. I have seen music great Taj Mahal, actors Jeff Bridges and Pierce Brosnan, Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead and many others. While walking about I ran into a friend who I just came to know is a world famous Qigong Master, Francesco Garripoli. This guy is amazing. Each morning he leads the people at the expo through a Qigong routine. Here is a little scoop on him from a website I found.  Francesco Garri Garripoli is the Chairman of the Board of the Qigong Institute and enjoys being an author, television producer, Qigong practitioner and wellness advocate. He began his formal training in Eastern healing in Hawaii in 1977 after leaving a full medical school scholarship. His documentary Qigong: Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century, airs on PBS Television, where he has produced programs for 20 years. Francesco teaches Qigong workshops around the world and through www.wujiproductions.com and is a past Chairman of the National Qigong Association. Author of Qigong Essence of the Healing Dance and Tao of the Ride, Francesco currently resides on Kauai, Hawaii at the non-profit Kahuna Valley Retreat facility www.kahunavalley.com . Here I am with Francesco, he is also a prolific song writer and guitar player.

I also ran into this person who requested to stay anonymous. Any ideas????

We shared some of Danny’s raw chocolate delight and then it was time for me to hit the beach. Thats the report from the Kauai Wellness Expo 2010. ALOHA!

I visited the store several more times that trip and was blessed with Sam’s willingness to sit with me and teach me how to play! What a guy! I visit Same several times on each visit to Kauai. What a joy!

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Kamaka Ukulele and I play it every day that I am home. While jamming with Sam one afternoon, he began to play a beautiful rendition of “I’ll Be There” by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. I’d like to share it with you. And if you ever go to Kauai, Larry’s Music is a MUST!!! Go meet Sam and buy a uke! In the words of George Harrison, “Everybody should have a uke. You cannot play the ukulele and not be happy.” So ENJOY!

Well I just retuned from my annual winter trek to Kauai. Here is a rainbow that appeared while we drummed on the beach one evening.

It was my best trip yet! I spent lots of time on the beach, climbed Sleeping Giant a bunch, worked with my good friend Kirk on the new HealingDrummer website and reunited with my friends. As always, I spent plenty of time at Larry’s Music with my friend Sam. here we are jamming on the ukuleles. Check out YouTube video for Sam’s “I’ll Be There”.

Kirk in addition to being a masterful creator on the web, allowed his tribal drummer self to emerge! Here he is whipping out a heavy Fire Rhythm during a 5 Element Drum Workshop I held on the beach in Kapaa.

Keep your eyes on the HealingDrummer schedule for the workshops I’ll be hosting in 2011!

That’s it for now! Aloha!

I will be forever grateful for Malidoma Some’. As students with their teachers and family members often do, Malidoma and I fell out of communication. I longed for him often, and remembered the gifts he had given me: the very gift that I bring to the world. You see, Malidoma is the one who introduced me to the Djembe, the Healing Drum.

So here is what happened. I was on my way to Hawaii last month and had a layover in San Francisco. A friend of mine was having a reading with Malidoma that day. It is an interesting “coincidence” that although he lives in Florida and I live in Utah, we were both in San Francisco on the same day. I agreed to meet my friend at the hotel where they were meeting Malidoma, never imagining it would be possible to see my long lost friend. It was a very odd feeling to know that we would be in such close proximity. Well, without boring you with the details, while on the way to meet up with my friend, my phone rang.

“Room 117,” said my friend.
“What?” I replied.
“Come to room 117. Malidoma wants to see you!”

At that moment, the capacity of my heart could not contain the joy flowing in and my eyes began to pour with tears of joy. As I entered the hotel, my heart was racing. As I approached the door I realized that only a few inches away was the fulfillment of a dream. Malidoma opened the door and we fell into each others arms, greeting one another as though time had never passed.

My heart sings with joy for the reconnection with my soul brother. Here is a video that sums up what I have learned from my African brother. I am so thankful for our AMAZING REUNION!!

There is a song called Waltzing Matilda, referred to as “the unofficial national anthem of Australia”. In it is the line, “Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong, Under the shade of a coolibah tree…

In the same way the coolibah tree was a place of rest and rejuvenation for the swagman, this song has the energy of rejuvenation for you!

ENJOY!

So, tonight my friend, Kirk, and I decided it was time to make a video to show you how it’s done.

From the paradise of Kauai’s Garden Isle, here is the video so you can keep your drums tuned and sound great.

In 1998, I went to Africa. In my wake across the Atlantic, I left a flotsam of failed relationships, addictions, dead dreams, phenomenal financial success and catastrophic financial failure. I had recently been homeless; everything I owned destroyed by fire a short time before. So that by the time I arrived in the heart of West Africa, I was an empty man – no sense of home, no identity, no purpose, and no material wealth. A being starving for something different, looking for answers to questions I didn’t even know I had been asking, seeking a different way to pattern my life that brought both the success and the happiness that had eluded me.
And it was there in Africa, in the tiny country of Burkina Faso, that I encountered a way of being that helped me recognize what belonged in that void that haunted me every minute of every day. It was there in Burkina that I reconnected with my purpose, with my heart, and with the drum.

It was both a blessing and a curse living in a village without running water or electricity. As is their custom, they welcomed me like their own. For two weeks, I ate what they ate, drummed with the tribal drummers, slept on the ground among the people, joked and cried with them and generally experienced first hand the spirituality, community and teachings of the Dagara people. In doing this, they helped me re-birth my genius into the world again. For that gift I am blessed and grateful.
My purpose in writing this book is to share what I learned during my stay in Burkina Faso. I will also share what I have learned in my fifteen years of putting those Dagara teachings into practice personally and how I have adapted those teachings to flow more easily with a Western mind without diminishing their effectiveness. The tools are deceptively simple, but phenomenally powerful and profound. These principles and truths will help you fill your own void, will help support you and celebrate you in discovering your own genius. They will help you see that deep within you resides a power to help you express this genius. The power that holds this magical place is the realization that you are intrinsically good and choose to create life-affirming situations in your life.

Blessings,
Toby

As many of you have read on the blog, I reunited with some old friends this past year who I used to play music with.

This clip is a remix of track 1 of my Four Doors Open CD. Terry Kingen has laid some beautiful guitar over the drums to balance the intensity of the drum with the melodic flow of the guitar.

Please click the audio play button below:

To honor this passionate cause I produced a CD called World Unity. The following are the words on the jacket. The song posted is Wake Up! It is my call for people WAKE UP to PEACE!!!

“This CD is dedicated to the Peacemakers of the world. It is for those who realize that we are held lovingly in the arms of the universe, and that since we are here not only to survive, but to THRIVE together, then we must begin to act with peace and harmony in all that we do. This is to act peace with the air, the water, the land, the animals, and with each and every one of our fellow humans. May we all find through this music the ability to focus on our similarities so strongly that we have no time to fight about our differences! WORLD UNITY is WORLD COMMUNITY”

Let’s make it happen!

It is with this intention I ask you all to join me in a wold wide campaign and join the HEALINGDRUMMER WORLD PEACE PARTY! Stay tuned and enjoy the music. I will post new tracks every 2 weeks!

Peace,
Toby

Please click the audio play button below.

Here is a photo of an historic moment in the life of Toby… my first Cheese Curd!

The update is that I will be staying in Park City for a while longer. Seems that the banks have changed the way they qualify folks so to get what I want I’ll have to wait a little while longer!! So if you ski Deer Valley, you’ll see me there for another season. I’m looking forward to the Holiday Season and the New Year!!

Blessings to all,

Toby

So here is my criteria. I would like to be 30 min or less from a major airport, the house must have a basement for a recording studio, 1,000 square feet or more. Living space of 1,500 SQ.Ft or more and a house payment of $2,000 or less. I need room for workshops and drum circles. As well as music making!!

So Far, Cincinnati Ohio and Reunion Colorado are at the top of the list.

Let me know what you think!!

Thanks,

Toby

Here is the master at work. When Suzanne took this shot she had to remind me to breathe, relax and SMILE!!!

And here is the final product!! So my trip was not all work. I did have some fun!!

Just finished a great trip to the east coast and then on to Cincinnati. The Shamanic training courses are rocking and I am having a BLAST!

I have been hearing so much about the incident with James Arthur Ray I think it is an important issue to address. My heart goes out to those affected by it and the traditions that have become affected by it as well. Regardless of my destain for those who feel as though they know what is right for everybody and feel they have the answer for the world , I do not believe there was intent of harm in that sad incident. Only profound ignorance and irresponsibility. Having had the privilege of studying with many very powerful indigenous teachers I have learned one very important thing. NEVER GIVE YOUR POWER TO ANOTHER PERSON!! Some teachers, especially in the west feel as though they have the entitlement to be a guru. That they in some way know better than you what is your path. I have seen them come and go, I have seen them amass wealth and file for bankruptcy. Have great volumes of followers and then die alone a short time later. Please Please Please own your own power and keep yourself safe in any and all situations. The situation in Sedona was an unnecessary tragedy of overbearing power and egotistical manipulation. Please always trust your own heart and hold your own power!!

Here is Danny preparing his famous Cocoanut Cream Ambrosia

and Naoka dancing to the Drum

Here I am with Sam the ukulele  man, owner of Larry’s Music one of the most famous places on the islands

As I talked to my friends everyone was talking about the dolphins and the rich and magical energy they experienced while swimming with them. Well I have to confess I was a bit cynical. I have been to the dolphin beach at least 10 times and I have never seen a dolphin close in. So one night Surf and I were at a party on the beach,

and he started talking about going to the dolphin beach. He kept saying, “I know they will be there, and they will be there for YOU Toby!” Well I was stuck in the old story of “I’ll never experience anything that magical, blah, blah”. And as the night went on Surf and I kept jamming!

So after much debate we decided to go to the dolphin beach first thing in the morning. We went home from the beach, had a nice swim in the pool and hit the hay. The next morning I was still not convinced I would encounter the allusive dolphins but was willing to give it a go. We drive to the beach, hiked down the hill and I set out on the mile long trek to the beach were the magical dolphins reside. Having never seen them I had no idea what to expect and boy did I get a surprise. I hauled down the beach so if I did not get to see the dolphins I would at least get a good workout. As you can see, I was still not convinced. Even though Surf insisted they would be there.

When I arrived at the beach I was shocked beyond all belief when not one, not two, but three pods of dolphins just off shore and when I turned to watch them they began slapping their fins on the water and jumping wildly. Surf and his partner arrive 15 minutes later to find me sitting on the beach watching the dolphins with a HUGE smile on my face. “I told you they would be here for you. Are you ready to meet them in the water” Surf said kindly. Well to make a long story short, we entered the water     and to my surprise, these beautiful and amazing beings  did not run off.

They got closer and closer and closer still. I could feel the most amazing energy as they came closer and closer. There was no fear only trust and oneness. on their final pass I could almost reach out and touch them

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I will never forget it.

Consecrated Medicine Drums

This is a powerful new vision I have been given inspired by those who are taking their healing work to a new level!

As Drummer’s, Shaman’s and Healers step into a greater level of power in their healing, the tools they use need to be in alignment with the level of power they are connecting with to do their work.  As I have watched people step into expanding their skills and adding sound to their healing practice it is my desire to provide them with the very best tools possible. With this in mind, I have begun to produce, on a very limited basis,  drums that are prepared in the same way I prepare my own personal tools. Drums consecrated as healing tools. Embellished with sacred objects, ritual and ceremony.

The Consecrated Medicine Drums begin with a consultation with the person desiring one. We talk about the elements that will create the energy that will support their work. We decide how many crystals and what kind, the configuration of the cowry shells, which help expand the healing energy and what other objects are needed. Then I construct the drum after opening sacred space. After the drum has been embellished, the healing 5 Element rhythms are played through the drum and the drum is placed on a powerful healing alter in the middle of a Lemurian Crystal Healing Grid for 48 hours before being carefully placed in the carrying case and shipped to its new caretaker.

These drums are constructed from hand made tribal drums from Ivory Coast West Africa. The finest drums on the planet, and require a minimum of 72 hours to construct and consecrate before they are shipped. When you are ready, shoot me an email at toby@healingdrummer.com.

The cost of these custom drums is $800 plus shipping

Here are some pictures of consecrated drums on the alter.

]]> http://www.tobychristensen.com/consecrated-medicine-drums/feed/ 1 http://www.tobychristensen.com/amazing-reunion-paul-dragoo/ http://www.tobychristensen.com/amazing-reunion-paul-dragoo/#comments Sun, 10 May 2009 15:25:01 +0000 toby_christensen http://www.tobychristensen.com/?p=232 OK, so far I have told the stories that occurred on my last two visits to Seattle. Meeting old friends and reconnecting in a powerful way! I have seen my childhood friends become great men of passion and integrity. I am so blessed to be reconnected. So the last of the gang is who I write about today and this is the man who made it all happen: Paul Dragoo.

I met Paul in high school. We played together in Jazz Band, Swing Choir, and a club band called Night Shadows. We played clubs 5 nights a week, fitting school in when we could. It was through this intense and exciting pace that Paul and I became good friends. And it is through Paul that I have reunited with my dear old friends.

A month or so ago, I received an email and was shocked when I saw the sender. It was my friend, Paul, who I have not seen since high school. (I will not say how long that has been!) I was actually planning a trip to Seattle at the time, so I made arrangements to meet Paul. We set up the meet and I figured I would recognize my old friend with a little wear and tear like myself. I go into the restaurant looking for him when this man, much younger than I, came up to me and to my surprise, it was Paul! Boy did that piss me off! I have aged considerably  in the last 30 years and Paul looked like a man in his early 30’s!! Go Paul!!!

After a great breakfast and lots of catching up I asked, “Do you know where Guy, Terry, and Joel are?” Of course, Paul knew a lot about each of them. That night we paid a surprise visit to Guy at the club in which he was playing. The moment I saw Guy, he pulled out his cell phone and said, “I don’t believe my eyes. I have to call Terry!” Terry called Joel and here we are!!!

Paul is a brilliant musician, and a kindhearted and compassionate man. He is a mover and shaker. He has acquired one of the most beautiful guitar collections I have seen and is always quick to unite friends through music. I love his youthful energy combined with his depth of wisdom. Plus, his sense of humor is second to none.

Back in high school, Paul went to a formal dance as my sister’s date. As well as reuniting with me, he has also reconnected with my sister. It is like getting a member of our family back. We spent years playing music in my parent’s basement and as we revisited that place together, Paul said, “It feels like yesterday that we were here–so natural and so familiar.”

Paul, I am so blessed to have you back in my life and I will be forever grateful for reconnecting me to the rest of the gang.

Thank you!

I don’t ever remember not knowing Joel. I have no idea how or where we met. I just remember that he is in every memory of my younger days. Joel and his family lived close to mine, and we were inseparable. Joel was and continues to be, the support person for the ones who stand in the spotlight. In doing so (to my great joy), Joel has been brought into a spotlight of his own. Joel was always the one who would come to band practice even if he was not in the band. When we needed something or we were hauling equipment to a gig…Joel was always there to lend a hand. A great musician in his own right, Joel taught me tons on the guitar. Second only to Paul McCartney, Joel plays Blackbird like it is nobody’s business.

I just got a great Idea. I am going to publicly ask Joel to play this song for us and I’ll post the video on this blog!! WHAT DO YOU THINK JOEL?? WILL YOU PLLLLEEEEAAASSSSEEE??????

OK, so, when I reconnected with Terry and Guy, of course I asked if anyone had heard about Joel. Of course Joel will always be a part of our lives! I have come to know he is a father, with very successful kids, a husband with a loving and delightful wife, and most of all, Joel is a kind man of impeccable character, true to his core values, and still willing to go to any length to lend a hand. Joel is the example I use when I define the word “friend”.

My favorite story with Joel is the day we were playing drums at his house and his mother came into the living room and looked at me and said, “You can’t play drums like that, you are white. White people don’t have rhythm like that.” Then laughed cheerfully and went about her business. 20 some years later when I was in Africa, an elder of the Dagara Tribe said, “What dye did you use on your skin to make you look like a European? White people don’t play the drum like that. I know you are really African”. Here I am standing in the southern part of the Sahara Desert thousands of miles from home and who do I think of? Joel Bisset’s mom. She has passed into the world of the Ancestors and it saddens me that I was not able to tell her this story. You never know how a  statement you make or an action you take will affect a person’s life.

I am pleased to see that Joel has become an accomplished drummer and plays regularly at his church. I got a chance to jam with Joel when I was in Seattle on my last trip. He is a KICK ASS drummer. He holds the beat like a mountain! ROCK STEADY!!! We did a couple of percussion solos at the gig and really rocked the house. All I did was show Joel the beat I was doing on my djembe and he got on the kit like a jockey on a race horse.

Joel, I am so glad to be back in touch with you. My heart is filled with joy as I reflect on the great nobility, trustworthiness, and trueness of heart  you bring to the world. THANK YOU!

…and I’m waiting impatiently for a video of you playing Blackbird on your guitar!

BUT Guy’s claim to fame was his ability to imitate the greatest of all, Jimi Hendrix, note for note, fret for fret, and at 10 years of age! When he played it was not only deafening in volume but entrancing how THAT music could be coming from that skinny little kid!

The other thing about Guy is that he had zest for life. He is the one human being in the world who has done more drugs and drank more alcohol than anyone I know. His wild antics combined with his sweet smile made you love him and hate him simultaneously.

As a child, I had a deep love for Guy and admiration for his talent. I still do. I tried over the years to find him but was never able. Then it happened. A friend who you will meet on a future entry called me out of the blue. As we talked, I asked if he had any idea where Guy Johnson was. Or if he was even alive! “Yes, he plays in a band here in town once in a while,” my friend replied. I happened to be in Seattle at the time and when I looked up Guy, there he was AND he was playing that night just a few miles away. When I saw him I could not believe my eyes. He still maintained that same high energy and looked amazingly healthy. I found out later that Guy has been clean and sober for 16 years. I’m proud of you, Guy! That is a HUGE accomplishment. 

The other thing I realized as we got together a few days later to jam, is that Guy’s love and passion for music has not diminished one bit. I was honored to play with he and Terry and another member of the gang, Joel Bisset, one night in Guy’s basement. It was like when we were still in grade school or junior high.

Guy was so on top of things that he even set up lights for us! I felt like I was back on stage.

Guy Johnson has become a man of great character, conviction, and intention. He cares for his mother and girlfriend and plays music as much as possible. He is bright and uplifting to be around and is still having the boys over to jam. When I saw Guy’s mom it was like going back in time 35 years. Or more. She remembered that as kids we LOVED peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and yes, that night after an amazing dinner (thank you so much, Mrs. Johnson) we polished off a tray of PBJ’s for dessert!

I see in this picture of Guy a man full of dreams and ambition. I wish for Guy that they all come true. I’m so glad to be reconnected!

Thank you, Guy!

Have you ever thought about old friends? Have you ever wondered… where is _______________(fill in the blank)? Well I have. In my youth there was a group of guys who were like me. We were boys who connected to our gifts early. While our other friends were playing kickball, soccer, or tag, we were in my parents basement or in Guy’s garage ( you will learn more about the amazing Guy Johnson in my next entry) playing Jimi Hendrix, Mountain, Led Zeppelin, and James Gang. I loved these guys with all my heart. In many many ways we were the “odd balls” and in another way we carried a sort of celebrity status. In the next few entries I would like to pay tribute to my old, new friends. I hope this inspires you to reconnect as well. We are not always aware of the impact we have had  on others and reconnecting with these amazing men that has helped me realize that even the simplest acts of kindness or spontaneous moments can have an unbelievable impact and inspiration on those around us. 

I searched for them from time to time but with no luck. For decades I thought about them. One of my favorite musical artists is the great Frank Zappa. My friend Terry Kingen and I used to go to his concerts when he came to Seattle. Sometimes waiting 6 or 7 hours at the door of the Paramount Theater to be the first ones in! Every time I hear a Frank Zappa song I think of Terry. I have since I was 14 years old.  I searched his name and was never able to find him. Then through a series of phone calls and synchronistic occurrences, which I will get to in future entries, I reconnected to Terry Kingen. Even though it had been 30 some years since we had seen each other, when I saw his trade mark Terry Kingen smile and heard his cheerful voice, it was as though no time had passed at all.  

Although back in the day, he had long dark hair, which has been replaced by short grey hair, the youthful and mischievous sparkle in his eyes has not dimmed. Terry was always the best musician of us all. While we were playing blues riffs and figuring out what the heck chords were in a song, Terry was taking lessons and practicing his Mixolydian Modes, Phrygian Scales, and his Dominant flatted 2nd what-evers! 

Over the years, he has developed into one of the greatest guitar players I have ever heard and has become a prolific songwriter whose style is somewhere between Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. Whether he is on his pink paisley Telecaster or his deep rich acoustic guitar, Terry plays with a driving rhythm and sings with a soulful tone. His music reaches deep into you and gently extracts the goodness of life that sometimes hides beneath the rough waves and tumultuous currents of the everyday goings on; sometimes with a hint of mischievous sarcasm. 

But this is not all that makes Terry Kingen great. What to me makes him a very amazing human being is his humility, willingness to help a friend in need, and his complete lack of judgement. Terry is an example of finding the best in each person he meets. He is quick to set aside differences to find the common ground of connection. When you have a conversation with him you can feel the authentic interest he has in knowing who you really are and hearing what you have to say.

I am so fortunate to have re-connected with Terry. Sometimes it seems that life passes us by and the rich joy of the past is all we have to hold onto. I am here to say that sometimes that rich joy of the past comes around and makes another pass through life. 

Thank you, Terry.

Here we have Terry Kingen on the guitar Joel Bisset on the kit and I am on the djembe 

Joel Bisset laying down the steady beat!

I was just in Seattle and met up with a group of guys I have not seen for 30 years. I went to Elementary, Junior High, and High school with these gentlemen. As kids we played music together. We would spend hours in my parents’ basement playing Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and who ever else was on the charts at that time. Guy Johnson was and is today one of the most talented and skilled rock guitar players on the planet. Terry Kingon is a masterful wizard on the guitar masterfully maneuvering his way through any style of music from rockabilly to Frank Zappa! Clearly, Terry is the most musically educated and diverse of the gang. Joel Bissett is one of those guys who is the embodiment of kindness and a true gentleman. He was always ready to help those of us who were up on stage, always picking up tips on playing the drums and guitar. He was never in the spotlight back then but he has become a fine drummer and excellent man on the guitar. And of course I cannot help but mention Paul Dragoo, Paul and I did not meet till High School but became close friends, as we played in bands together during that time in my life. It was through Paul’s continued connection with the other three men that ultimately lead to our reunion.

 
Reconnecting to these men is one of the greatest joys I have experienced in a very long time. Our hair is a little grayer; we all have a bit of age on our bellies. But jamming with these guys made my heart sing. After all these years, we have each held music as our love and passion. I had the opportunity to be on stage with two of them. Joel and Terry. Joel was on the drum kit and Terry was man handling a pink paisley Telecaster. And I was bringing the HealingDrum to a bar in Renton Washington! 

It was such a joy to play with these guys Terry and I could not do anything but SMILE

OK, so as I have been working on expanding and creating my new world for this coming bit of time, I have been pondering the energy of creation, destiny  vs free will. I have been pondering should’s, and supposed- to’s. I found this and I am not sure if it helped or made things more confusing? Lots of interesting stuff though.

On his recent US tour HealingDrummer Toby Christensen taught courses on Shamanism and Sound Healing. He continues his practice as a practitioner as well. Because of his dynamic private sessions Toby’s gift as a teacher is not always acknowledged. Here is what Dr. Johnson had to say

Endorsement: Toby Christensen is so much more then a practitioner, and he is more than a brilliant “teacher”, in sharing his gifts – he introduces you to your own! I took my first workshop with Toby not knowing what to expect. After all, while I have known and appreciated him as a very talented drummer, I had no idea of his depth and clarity within Spiritual realms. What a joy to experience his insights, patience and practical application to the world of Spirit! I learned so much during this first class – techniques I use to this day -,  that I look forward to and take his workshops every time he comes to town.

When in Park City Michael Franti did a great song where he brought the kids in the crowd up on stage. Here is his video of the song. I encourage you all to support Michael’s music!! He is an Extraordinary Peacemaker!

This trip I facilitated an Elemental Healing Circle! Change your rhythm, change your life! This is a powerful community drumming experience that brings to the surface, the drummer that resides deep within each of us. Part of the process involves each person in the circle the opportunity to drum healing energy for each of the participants and to be drummed by the entire circle. It is a powerful life transforming experience. Here is a clip from that night. Enjoy!

The Drum Sent Out The Healing

New Workshop!! Drumming for Stress Relief

Stress is one of the biggest health issues facing our society and our modern workplaces. Group drumming offers a very powerful tool for combating the effects of cumulative stress. Research has shown that group drumming can lower levels of stress hormones in the blood like cortisol. Playing music ‘in the moment’ is a fun and engaging activity that naturally lends itself to joy and release – a perfect antidote to the stressful workplace. Toby Christensen and his staff offer this program as an intervention to combat cumulative workplace stress. Toby uses drums and other percussion instruments as tools for channeling stress energies into beautiful music. The program has two main components the one involves channeling and release of stress into some pulsing rhythms. This is a fun and exciting part of the program where participants get to release their stress on the drums and instruments. Another part of the program involves synchronization of breathing and rhythm, which induces a calm meditative state that slows the mind down and promotes relaxation. This engaging program delivers both stress release and stress relief in its two phased approach.

Through basic science research soon to be published, we’ve recently taken the first step toward scientifically documenting group drumming’s benefits on the cellular level. Our project, funded by Remo Drums, Inc. and designed by our research team that includes David Felten, MD, PhD and Lee Berk DrPH of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroimmunology demonstrates statistically significant boosts in cell-mediated immune function associated with group drumming facilitated by a music therapist.

Learning Objectives:
• Identify stress, stressors, and stress reactions.
• Develop basic skills of drumming to facilitate the release of stress, increase relaxation and the creation of new emotional patters for long-term resolution of stress related conditions.
• Achieve balance through rhythm of the body, mind, and spirit by understanding how stress effects an individual and how to implement simple exercises at the onset of stress symptoms to immediately detour unhelpful activity
• Integrate the exercises and information into their professional and personal lives to create a happier and healthier workplace and life.

Learning Process:
• Identify stress, stressors, and stress reactions.
As we begin the process we take an assessment from the participants as to their symptoms of stress for example, cognitive symptoms such as memory problems, inability to concentrate, poor judgment, seeing only the negative, anxious or racing thoughts, constant worry. Emotional symptoms including Moodiness, Irritability or short temper agitation, inability to relax, feeling overwhelmed, sense of loneliness and isolation, depression or general unhappiness. We also work with the awareness of physical symptoms like aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, loss of sex drive frequent colds. We also work with behavioral symptoms like eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little, isolating yourself from others, procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities, using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax, nervous, habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

As we become aware of the stressors and identify each participant’s own stressors we begin to create some helpful ways of addressing the stress and the stress reactions.

• Develop basic skills of drumming to facilitate the release of stress, increase relaxation and the creation of new emotional patters for long-term resolution of stress related conditions
During this part of the process, each participant will learn how to strike the drum properly, learn the three basic hand positions of hand drumming and four basic rhythms on the hand drums provided. One rhythm is designed for relaxation another to bring awareness of our body and mind connection and how these two energies can be brought into harmony. Other rhythms are to release tension and bring the mind back into focus. The techniques are simple and an instrument is not required to initiate these practices. Participants will be taught how to activate the stress relieving exercises to re-pattern emotional responses to stressors.

• Achieve balance through rhythm of the body, mind, and spirit by understanding how stress effects an individual and how to implement simple exercises at the onset of stress symptoms to immediately detour unhelpful activity
As the participants become familiar with the rhythms we take them through a series of exercises to retrain the body mind connection so that the natural response triggers are re-channeled. This transformative proactive process creates a powerful sense of accomplishment and support ingraining the tools of helpful action and response as the first line of action when stressors are present. Teaching the participant breath rhythm awareness as well as drum rhythm is one of the features in this part of the program.

At the end of the program we have Q and A time and have the participants engage in an in-depth evaluation of the course allowing time for input and feedback.

The standard format for this workshop is six hours for optimal impact but has also been utilized in a short 3 hour version and expanded to a 2 day weekend residential workshop

Malidoma Some’ is the man who’s wisdom and teaching transformed my life at a critical time. I will be forever grateful to him.

This is an interview I thought was interesting. Malidoma brings a wonderful energy to the world. I hope you enjoy this

Malidoma Some: How to Be a Man from Alex King & Mito Media on Vimeo.

Some of the most important aspects of our healing work at HealingDrummer are, one, properly training practitioners to bring healing to the world with authenticity and proper ethical conduct, and two, listen to those who come to us for healing. It is a very big responsibility be trusted with the openhearted vulnerability of one who has come for treatment. It has always been our intention to honor this trust in the most sacred way.

Our founder, Toby Christensen is the cornerstone of our teaching and healing protocol. He has studied with many indigenous and western teachers alike. Although always able to teach, not all of his teachers have been shall we say, good examples to follow in their personal and professional conduct. As Toby says, “sometimes when you become close friends with your teacher, you see things you wish you hadn’t.” Robert Bly once said, “a mentor will never have you over for dinner. That is a different kind of relationship”. I see the wisdom in this boundary. This is why it is so important to live impeccably. Rumors will surface from time to time as we have seen over the years, but unsubstantiated rumors dissolve quickly so we don’t spend much time on them when they surface.

What we like to focus on is bringing the healing energy to the world –
ENERGETIC TRANSFORMATION IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT AND IT COMES UNIQUELY THROUGH TOBY CHRISTENSEN AND THE HEALINGDRUM!!

Here is a great commentary we received:

Toby Christensen, the Healing Drummer, is filled with passion and the spirit.

He takes African Drumming and all it’s primitive power and combines it with the style of a Rock Star. It is a blend of the very old and the right now. Modern and primitive.

It helps to unleash my energy to awaken what has been asleep.

This is a wonderful sexy wounded man child who has found his place in the universe and thus his power.
And it is this weird thing. I mean a white shaman! A white guy with the African drum beating over me. And yet it worked. How, I don’t know and do I really care? I believe him because he believes it, because he earned it. His own journey

Something deep inside me understood and circumvented my brain and I quit smoking. There is true power here, not to be denied. And it worked. I felt better. But later I felt calm and somehow that I was operating at a new level.

Some part of us deep down knows this one works. We respond to the beat to the rhythm.

What a thrill. From 80 degrees in Hawaii to 4 degrees in Park City!!! I was freezing my butt off. Then the music started and Michael had about 10,000 of us dancing like crazy on Main Street! He was freezing up on stage and kept playing!! What an amazing man.

The thing that really impressed me about Michael Franti is the fact that after he attended a yoga class at my friend Lisa’s studio, he stayed and had tea with her and gave her and her husband and friends free passes to his show in Salt Lake City. 

I have admired Michael for some time and now finally got to see him. My goal is to meet him and play the HealingDrum with him and his band to further support the cause of peace in the world!!

Here is a couple of my Park City buddies I ran into at the concert! Keili and Jillian. 

Here I am with my friends left to right, Jamie, Rich, Marilyn and yours truly