Gregory had just begun his second week at the San Jose JCC.  Everything was new to him. Since his arrival, he had sat through orientation, started exploring some career options, and had tentatively made new friends. On this particular morning, Gregory prepared for the day as he had every other day since his arrival. The day began as expected; he got up, had breakfast, and went to another lecture. Then after lunch his CPP instructor led the class to the center’s gymnasium.

Gregory and his new classmates didn’t know what to expect. They hadn’t been told anything about the day’s activity. The students were taken aback when they entered the gym. They walked through the doors and saw drums and other hand-held instruments scattered around. A murmur began.  “What are we doing?” Emotions varied. Some students were nervous. Most had never played a musical instrument before and were afraid of looking silly. Some felt excited about the change from the ordinary.

Heather Holland, the center’s health and wellness manager, and Dori Bermudez, the registered dental assistant, greeted the students. They asked each student to find a drum or handheld instrument. Each student slowly picked up an instrument and waited for instructions. Heather asked the students to start playing. It sounded horrendous. It was nothing but chaos. Although the students didn’t realize it, this was how Heather had planned for the hour to begin. Some students got a little frustrated because they couldn’t work together. Heather stopped the music and then started them again, gradually. Dori walked around and helped the students stay comfortable and focused. After a few minutes, the group achieved a state that Heather describes as entrainment. It just started to feel right. The music was in synch. The group of students who barely knew each other had formed a cohesive team.

Finally, the hour came to an end. Heather asked the students to sit quietly. She gave them a moment to breathe deeply and center themselves. After a few minutes, she asked each of the students to describe in a word or two how they felt when they first walked in. The most common responses were “bored”, “sleepy”, “nervous”, and “stressed-out.” Then Heather asked them how they how felt after drumming. Moods had changed. Gregory wrote, “….I felt pumped and excited. Job Corps rocks.” Another student wrote, “…once we started playing the instruments, I started to feel excited because I always wanted to play an instrument and then I felt the teamwork and after it became a spiritual kind of thing.”

Like Gregory, all new students at the San Jose JCC get a taste of drumming during their second week on center. Heather’s drum circle provides students with a little knowledge about percussion instruments and a taste of drumming know how, but that’s not really the point. Testimonials show that many students understand the higher purpose of this activity.  They write about how good it feels to work as a team. They learn how to trust the other members of the group. Most students leave this activity relaxed and happy with renewed self-confidence.

This unique program began the same way many things begin—with one person’s inspiration. Two years ago, Heather and her teenage son went to a drumming event at a bookstore. Heather was fascinated by the drumming and spent some time trying to figure out how to get involved. In her next performance appraisal, she included therapeutic drumming in her list of goals for the year, though she still hadn’t figured out how to become a drum circle facilitator. Then it fell into place. She found a training class called “Health Rhythms” at a resort in Utah.  Around the same time, her supervisor sent an email that there was some excess money in the budget. He asked if anyone had any professional development ideas. Heather jumped on it and signed up for the 3-day training. Heather and the center’s TEAP specialist, Michelle Delke, were off to Utah.

After completing the training, Heather and Michelle brought an abridged version of Health Rhythms back to center for CPP students. Students love it and it’s been very effective on center. The affects are not surprising. Studies have shown that music therapy and drumming can strengthen the immune system, reduce burnout, and improve mood. One study at Allegany College of Maryland introduced first-year nursing students to drumming.  Using two psychological tests, researchers documented a 28.1% improvement in mood. The music program also had a favorable effect on retention rates.

The drumming program at San Jose JCC is only going to become bigger and better. Students currently experience a one time taste of drumming during CPP. In the future, Heather hopes to implement a 6-week course for small groups of students. During student breaks, Heather has begun teaching other staff how to use the drums.  Heather, Dori, Michelle, and the drums will also be traveling to the San Francisco Regional Health and Wellness Conference on March 12-14, 2007. Conference attendees will be able to sign up for a drum circle after the meetings on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. As Gregory said, “Job Corps rocks.”

How do you relax?

This edition of “Health News Update” ends a series of three articles on relaxation techniques on Job Corps centers. We highlighted knitting at Cassadaga JCC, yoga at PIVOT JCC, and drumming at San Jose JCC. Staff at these centers have gone above and beyond traditional health care to find something to make their students happier, healthier individuals.

In writing the stories about the knitting, yoga, and drumming initiatives, I couldn’t help but notice remarkable similarities between these programs and the women who created them. Sue, Marleen, and Heather had casual interests in the programs that they began on center. Then, sometime in the years before the program’s inception, these interests became passions. They took time to learn more about their respective hobbies for personal enrichment and were so excited that they had to share these passions with others. All three women have amazing spirits. Once they start talking about their program, they have a hard time stopping. They have so many positive stories about how students react. These women have put their all into helping students and have gotten so much back in return.

Are you looking for something new at your center? Knitting, yoga, and drumming have all been successful. But maybe you and your staff walk to a beat of a different drum—no pun intended. There are so many other techniques to learn about. Perhaps you’re a little more traditional. Consider working with the recreation department to add a new group exercise class. It can be as simple as a walking group. Or you may have a skilled Tai Chi or Pilates instructor on center and don’t even know it.

There are several therapies that have gained attention recently. Have you heard of humor therapy? It uses funny movies and comedy to promote healing. The American Cancer Society endorses it for cancer patients citing that it’s been found to help increase pain tolerance and decrease stress hormones.

How about imagery exercises? The mind is a powerful place. Start practicing by yourself before involving students. Find a quiet place and picture one of the following images: a tight, twisted rope slowly unwinding, wax that softens and melts, or tension swirling out of your body and down the drain. No time for a vacation? Go to the beach for 10 minutes by yourself. Picture the scene in as much detail as possible. Imagine how it sounds and smells. Imagine that you can feel the sun.

Whatever your style is, take some time and find your own niche. When you find it, share it.

¹ Bittan B, et al. Recreational Music-Making: An Integrative Group Intervention for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students: Insights and Economic Impact. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship. 2004:1(12).