"The first thing you hear when you're conceived is the heartbeat of your mother. That is a drum, and that's what we do."
That is how Janet Oakes describes the drum circle in which she's been involved for more than 10 years.
Wise Women Drummers meets the first and third Saturday of every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Although the venue is on the northwest side, participants are from all over Tucson.
On Saturday, 11 women showed up to drum. Oakes has been drumming more than 30 years and has done extensive research on the practice.
"The medical field has found that drumming works with Vietnam vets with trauma, it works with people with Alzheimer's, it works on babies who have been born on crack," she said.
"They say it takes 15 minutes a day to relax you if you drum every day."
People are also reading…
The drum session offers participants a chance to pray and dedicate their melodies to particular aspects of their life, and it also serves as a therapeutic getaway.
"It takes you on a journey," Oakes said. "It helps stimulate the brain and produce endorphins."
The group is for women who've reached the "change of life," Oakes said.
"Some are facing divorce. Some are facing death. Some are facing emptiness. This is where they go to relax. It's a very emotional thing."
If you go
• What: Wise Women Drummers, for women 40 and up. Bring your own drum; some other instruments are available for use.
• When: 1-3 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month.
• Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 3601 W. Cromwell Drive.
• Cost: Free; donations are accepted to pay for the room and materials.
• For more information: Call 797-9323.
