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1. ** NEW**  INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHM BLISS – MINDFUL HAND DRUMMING FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS (Sunday 11:30am-12:35pm)

Come experience the JOYS and many HEALTH BENEFITS of Mindful hand-drumming this spring! If you are looking to receive all the benefits of a meditation practice but find sitting in silence and stillness a challenge, Rhythm Bliss may be ideal for you! Drumming reduces anxiety, improves mood and quiets the busy “monkey mind”. In the Intro session, you will learn body positioning, basic hand drumming technique and beginner African/Latin traditional and popular healing rhythms. You will practice connecting to the beat of the drum in a safe, warm and inclusive environment.

Rhythm Bliss classes include breath exercises, body scans and other meditation techniques
aimed at maximizing the benefits of hand drumming. Yoga philosophy and pilates fundamentals are infused throughout the session and everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that feels best for them. Rhythm Bliss Mindful Hand Drumming is a meditation practice with the aim of aligning the physical body, mind and spirit for health and wellness, as a side effect, students learn drum skills and enjoy the many benefits of learning a musical instrument!

Come prepared to experience a whole lot of joy as we drum, move and release tension and stress! This course is perfect for anyone curious about hand-drumming but has been too busy, nervous or timid to give it a try. At Rhythm Bliss Studio, we offer a safe, comfortable and empowering environment in which to experience the joys of community rhythm-making. Discover the inner drummer that lies within!!

When: Sundays, 11:30am-12:35pm
April 7-June 23rd *NO classes April 14, April 21st and May 19th
Where: Rhythm Bliss Studio – 2038 West 43rd Ave, Van
Rates: $144 (9 class session) or $162 (9 class session with drum rental)
Drop-in: $25 *providing there is space.
Click the Register Now button below:

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2. Mindful Hand Drumming – Rhythm Zone 1 (Thursday Evenings)

When: Thursdays, 7-8:15PM,
April 4th-June 20, 2019. *NO classes April 18 and April 25th
Where: Rhythm Bliss Studio - 2038 West 43rd Ave, Van
Rates: $160 (10 class session)
One Time Rental Drum Rate: $20 (for those renting a drum)
Drop-in: $20 (Plus $5 rental drum) *providing there is space.

Come experience the many benefits of a hand-drumming meditation practice. If you find sitting in silence and stillness a challenge, but want to experience the benefits of meditation, this course is for you! Drumming reduces anxiety, improves mood and quiets the busy “monkey mind”.

In this session, we infuse basic mindful hand drumming patterns with pranayama (breathing exercises), simple yoga stretches and pilates core strengthening. Come prepared to experience a whole lot of joy as we drum, move and release out tension and stress! Perfect for anyone interested in learning about rhythm meditation for health and wellness, or anyone curious about hand-drumming but has been too busy, nervous or timid to give it a try. This course is also great for anyone who is still in the beginning stages of hand-drumming. It can take several intro sessions to feel comfortable to move into other level classes. Lastly, some drummers receive the most benefit from connecting to a more simple repetitive beat and if that’s what you like, this is the ideal session for you.

At Rhythm Bliss (formerly, Drum Mama Studios), we offer a safe, comfortable and empowering environment in which to experience the joys of community rhythm-making.

You will learn basic djembe technique, beginner African/Latin traditional and popular rhythms, and practice connecting to the beat of the drum – all at a manageable pace. Our classes also include breath exercises, body scans and other meditation techniques to infuse the drumming experience with yogic philosophy and pilates fundamentals. This is a great way to align the physical body, mind and spirit. Discover the inner drummer that lies within. We are all wired for rhythm!

Click the Register Now button below:

                         

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3. Intermediate Mindful Hand Drumming – Rhythm Zone 2
(Sunday afternoons
and Wednesday Evenings)

This session is a meditative journey into the heart of African and Latin rhythms in which we will play beginner and intermediate drum patterns on djembe and congas. We’ll learn djembe solo techniques and also practice basics of bass drum and bell independent hand patterns. You will be encouraged to work at your own pace to gain the physical, mental and emotional benefits of a mindful drumming practice. We will experience drumming from the inside out exploring how proper body alignment, hand technique and breathing will benefit your mind and body. This unique course augments the drumming experience with an infusion of yoga philosophy, meditation practices and Pilates core fundamentals.

Spring Session will include:
Intermediate hand-drumming techniques for djembe and conga drums. Basic Dun and Bell patterns.
Rudiments and Rolls (practice patterns)
Popular West African and Latin based rhythms, polyrhythms and solo phrases
Correct drumming posture and alignment
Relaxation techniques including yogic breathing (pranayama) and gentle stretching.

There are 2 intermediate sessions being offered:

a) Sunday Afternoons:

When: Sundays 4:15-5:30PM, April 7 – June 23rd. *NO classes April 14th, April 21st or May 19th, 2019
Where: Rhythm Bliss Studio – 2038 West 43rd Ave, Van
Rates: $144 (9 class session)
One Time Rental Drum Rate: $18 (for those renting a drum)
Drop-in: $20 (Plus $5 rental drum) *providing there is space.

Click the Register Now button below:

                         

b) Wednesday Evenings:

When: Wednesdays 7-8:15PM, April 3rd – June 19th, 2019 NO classes April 17th, April 24th or May 22nd
Where: Rhythm Bliss Studio – 2038 West 43rd Ave, Van
Rates: $144 (9 class session)
One Time Rental Drum Rate: $18 (for those renting a
drum)
Drop-in: $20 (Plus $5 rental drum) *providing there is space.

Click the Register Now button below:

                         

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4. Intermediate/Advanced Rhythm Bliss Ensemble
Rhythm Zone 3 (Tuesday Evenings)

This is an intermediate/advanced Hand Drumming percussion ensemble class for those with drumming experience. We will play traditional West African and Latin rhythms, and focus on learning solo techniques, play bass drums and hand held percussion instruments to accompany the hand drums. We will experience the joy and connection of meditating into soulful traditional West African and Afro-Cuban rhythms, practice rudiments, explore improvisation, and perhaps even compose some rhythm pieces of our own!

In keeping with the Rhythm Bliss relaxed and mindful philosophy, we will play with lots of repetition and release tension and stress as we practice in a meditative and heart filling way. You will be encouraged to take risks, make mistakes and have fun challenging yourself as you take your drumming to the next level!

When: Tuesdays 7-8:15PM, April 2nd – June 18th, 2019 (NO classes April 16th and April 23rd)
Where: Rhythm Bliss Studio – 2038 West 43rd Ave, Van
Rates: $160 (10 Class session)
One Time Rental Drum Rate: $20 (for those renting a
drum)
Drop-in: $20 (Plus $5 rental drum)

*Prerequisite for Tuesday Workshops: Drum kit or hand drumming experience required. If you are not sure this class is for you please contact Alexandra.

Click the Register Now button below:

                         

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5. Ongoing Weekday-Daytime Mindful Hand Drumming

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a) Wednesdays – Rhythm Zones 1 and 2 (11:15am-12:30pm)(Beginners Welcome):

Classes running weekly through the Spring 2019 Season, there are NO classes April 17 or April 24th, 2019.

Rate – See Drop In passes below.

Learn how to play basic hand drum tones on the djembe while staying relaxed and at ease. We’ll learn some popular African, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean and Braziliean rhythms , we’ll explore different poly-rhythms (more than one rhythm at the same time), and enjoy meditating through the spirit of the drum. The focus is on experiencing the joys of hand drumming, of connecting in mind/body and spirit and with others in the rhythm circle.

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