Cognitive Benefits of Drum's Alive

We sat down with one of our group exercise instructors, Carol Saggiomo, to learn more about the benefits of her Drum's Alive class.

What is Drum's Alive?
Drums Alive joins the dynamic movements of aerobic dance with the pulsating rhythms of the drum. It is a unique sensory/motor program that is designed to give the mind and body instant feedback through continuous movement and rhythmical flow. It is a program that utilizes “whole brain – whole body” thinking by developing sensory motor reflexes and kinesthetic awareness. The physiological and psychological benefits are numerous including those found in traditional forms of aerobic fitness. Drumming has also been found to improve and increase the neurological connection between the two brain hemispheres, stimulating alpha brain wave activity which can lead to higher levels of concentration, sensory/motor improvement, and an overall sense of well being.

The goal of Drums Alive is to improve lives physically, psychologically, and socially, through a unique sensory motor drumming program involving drumsticks, an exercise ball, and music. Drums Alive can be done at all levels and all ages; from ages 4 – 104!

What drew you to Drums Alive?
About 6 years ago, I took Drums Alive with my two daughters at a wellness resort.  Prior to this, I had no idea what the class was. After my first class, I left feeling completely invigorated and accomplished! I noticed that I had the “rush” that came from other workouts I had done… but there was more to it. I felt cognitively connected in class. This class required 100% of my focus, which shed off my prior stress of the day. For 1 hour, I thought of nothing but mastering these intricate rhythms.

Being a music educator for 20 years, I began to incorporate Drums Alive in my music classes with my students. Further on down the road, I began to choreograph new routines to new songs and presented this fitness idea to PEAC’s Group Exercise director, Megan Price. She and I decided to give this unique exercise program a try at PEAC.

What are the benefits of Drums Alive?

• Strengthens concentration, memory, attention, focus.
• We all have a dominant vs. weaker L or R side. Drumming significantly strengthens the motor skills of that weaker side. This aids in more synchronized movements of daily tasks, improving speed, symmetry and overall efficiency.
• Drumming can actually change a person’s brain wave patterns, dramatically reducing stress and anxiety.
• Drumming increases the heart rate and blood flow, resulting in an effective aerobic workout.
• It boosts the immune system by increasing lymphokine-activated killer cells and natural killer cells that seek and destroy viruses and cancer cells.
• Drumming strengthens synapses (message connectors that deliver information). In short, it exercises your brain cells.
• Can prevent “old age” dementia.
• Rhythmic cues may be able to help retrain the brain after a stroke or other neurological impairment.
• Helps with hand tremors; the only program that addresses coordination of hands.
• Can be done at ALL levels, at any age; not limited to a specific age group.
• Drumming goes further than regular exercise. Ex: Running targets only one system.  Drums Alive is the only fitness program that is a full, whole-body/mind workout.

​Here is some of the feedback I have gotten from my clients who now have incorporated this mind-body workout in their weekly routine at PEAC:

• “It’s so much fun that I forget how hard I’m working out!”
• “I came to this class because it sounded like something so different from any other class; full of fun and very challenging (especially mentally!)”
• “It makes me feel better with my anxiety; good for brain power.”
• “This class works your mind and your body. It’s such fun!”
• “So much fun that I forget my aches and pains for a while…it makes me feel so young!”
• “The drumming class is fun, energetic, stimulating – both body and mind workout.”
• “Excellent class! Great cardio! Improves my memory – and it’s so much fun!”

​One of Carol's newest students, Sabine Kastner, is a research scientist at Princeton University.  She has conducted research on the cognitive and physical benefits of Drum's Alive.

Carol and Sabine after Drum's Alive class!

"Cognitive networks for memory, attention, or language set up intrinsic rhythms that help to coordinate information flow throughout the networks.  I think that drumming and the rhythmic movements during our exercises in the Drums Alive class help us strengthen these cognitive rhythms." - Sabine Kastner, MD.

SEE WHEN THE NEXT DRUM'S ALIVE CLASS IS!