Wright Rhythms™

Welcome to 'Wright Rhythms™ Fitness and Wellness' site.
My name is Karen Wright and I am a drum circle facilitator. I am trained and certified in both Health Rhythms®, and Drums Alive®.  I just finished Australia's Holyoake's Drumbeat.
I enjoy rhythms of any kind, Steel Pan Playing, Taiko drumming and love to create.
I started  'Wright Rhythms™ Fitness and Wellness' because I want the world to be healthy.
I help make that happen through drumming, in my little corner of the world.

I challenged myself and my village to be one with the spirit of the drum and to have respect and unity for drums and drummers all over the world. My village extends as far away as the loudest drum can be heard, which I'm finding out is pretty far.

Although there are many attributes that make for a powerful drummer, we can only strive to attain them, since many of us aren't born with such great qualities. We are however, each born with a heart beat that gives us a great start in learning to drum and that gives us a natural 'built-in' rhythm. The rest we simply work at enhancing. Drumming requires a combination of discipline of body, strength, power, stamina, mind, self control and spirit. It requires communication, manners, courtesy, respect, harmony, musical skills, rhythm, expression, and unity. Many of these we simply strive to attain, even in our daily lives.

Remo Belli once said;  "It’s time to stop thinking of the drum as just a musical instrument. Start thinking of it as a unifying tool for every family, a wellness tool for every retiree, and an educational tool for every classroom.” I agree with Remo and I'd like to add that it is also the most satisfying instrument to play that can unite a village and heal the world.
Taiko Grand Master Tanaka said most people just listen to drumming. He said; " I want people to not only hear the sound, but also watch the sound, see the sound, and feel the sound."

My village is becoming one with the drum. We play by feeling communication with the spirit of the drums, each other, and the world. Come join us in the challenge to help make the world a better place, since drumming is meant to be shared and creates fitness health, wellness, wonderful relationships, and oneness.
 You can reach me anytime for class dates and times at Wright Rhythms

What is a Drums Alive® class like?

The goal of Drums Alive® is to improve lives physically and psychologically through a unique sensory-motor drumming program involving drum sticks, an exercise ball, and music. The primary goal of the Drums Alive® program is creating a "whole mind, whole body" experience for all participating. The program meets the needs of diverse audiences.
Drums Alive® combines traditional aerobic movements with the powerful beat and rhythm of the drums. This is a workout for the entire body, mind and spirit! Feel and experience the pulsating rhythms, dynamic movements and powerful percussions of this new high-energy dance and rhythm program. Drums are not required, but you will need a stability ball. Drums sticks are provided.
Drums Alive® wants you to have a ball — and a pair of drumsticks to whack it with. In this fitness class, you’re not just listening to music. You’re playing it. And that has the potential to really pay off."


Noticeable Improvements will come through:

•The use of principles from movement therapy; music and sound therapy; physical education and fitness;
and rhythmic education.
•Focused classes or individual sessions tailored toward participants’ needs.
•Providing a platform for socialization and a sense of belonging to a group, which has shown to improve motivation and fitness adherence.
•Allowing for individual and creative expression through both verbal and non-verbal communication.
•Providing a healthy way to release aggression and decrease stress.
•Focused work on neurological and cognitive applications.
•Acceptance, respect, and understanding of different cultural movements, and rhythms

Developed in Germany by Carrie Ekins, Drums Alive® is a movement and sensory-motor program that will work for all kinds of people. Drums Alive® has five classes to meet the needs of different participants. The intensity of your workout depends on several factors, including your current fitness level, the effort you put into the workout and the Drums Alive® program you choose.
Here are just a few pictures of what you will experience when you take one of the Drums Alive® classes.

What is HealthRHYTHMS ?

HealthRHYTHMS is all about-- learning, discovering, enjoying and sharing musical insights that can help everyone improve the quality of their lives.


7 Evidence-Based Elements of HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming;

Stress-Reduction

HealthRHYTHMS (Group Composite Drumming) strengthened the immune system by increasing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. (Bittman, Alternative Therapies, 2001) This protocol also reversed multiple components of the human stress response on the genomic level, not just reducing but reversing 19 genetic switches that turn on the stress response believed responsible in the development of common diseases. (Bittman, Medical Science Monitor, 2005)

Exercise

Drumming is an accessible exercise which burns calories and improves mood and may reduce the risk of disease. A Norwegian study of 25,000 women age 20-54 that performed leisure time exercises at least 4 hours/week experienced a 37% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. (Thune, Brenn, Lund, Gaard, 1997)


Self-Expression

HealthRHYTHMS Empowers people to move beyond their perceived boundaries.


Camaraderie/Support

A 1992 Duke University Study linked lengthened lifespan with having a close confidant. HealthRHYTHMS protocol builds camaraderie and support by creating a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing and offering support.


Nurturing

HealthRHYTHMS protocol creates a level playing field where support of growth and development is encouraged. As equal partners in this process participants often discover inner strength and encouragement by those sharing the experience.


Spirituality

HealthRHYTHMS is a group hand-drumming protocol. According to Jan Gregory, Adjunct Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality at Hartford Seminary, “Hand drumming is an ancient art that has been used in many cultures. The music of drums creates a conduit to the Divine. This is an opportunity to experience worship with our bodies as well as our minds”.


Music-Making

Systematic inquiry into the relationship between music and brain function is one of the most rapidly developing fields of human research. “Music making offers extensive exercise for brain cells and their synapses (connections). It would be difficult to find another activity that engages so many of the brain’s systems.”(Weinberger, N., 1998)

What are Fireart Drum Making Workshops Like?

under construction at the moment-- more fabulous photos to follow with next workshop date coming up.

What areTaiko and TaikoFit® Classes all about?

Dates and times for the fall to be announced soon but know this:
"The drum has a spirit and tradition, and the way to draw out that spirit is to play it with proper technique and proper attitude."