Starshine Roots

Bristol Yoga Teacher — I'm Beth, a yoga teacher and cyclical living mentor with a deep love for rhythm and movement, thanks to my background in dance.

My journey into shamanic drumming started at a point in my life where I was seeking something different. I've always been drawn to the power of sound, particularly the deep, resonant beats of drums. It's a kind of medicine for me that feels like coming home.

Overcoming Scepticism: My First Drum Journey

The first time I decided to attend a drum journey, I was honestly a bit skeptical. I had been to sound baths before, where the chimes of Tibetan bowls and the hum of gongs enveloped me in soothing waves of sound. The thought of drumming, with its strong, insistent pulse, felt overwhelming, especially on a day when my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and I was running late, stressed about parking, and doubting my decision to come.

The Power of a Safe Space

But the moment I stepped into the space that Ruth and Brillo had created, my apprehensions began to melt away. They welcomed us with such warmth and guided us into the experience so gently that I couldn’t help but relax. The drumming started softly, giving me time to find my footing in this new experience. Before I knew it, I was being carried away by the rhythm, my initial fears replaced by a deep sense of release and connection.

As the drumbeats grew stronger, I felt a surge of sensations throughout my body, especially in my womb and pelvic area, which was completely new to me in a group setting. It was as if the drumming was speaking directly to these parts of myself, awakening a deep, primal awareness.

Sound Journey at The Mount Without — This experience brought forth intimate and personal sensations that I might have shied away from in other contexts.

However, the safe and sacred space created by Ruth and Brillo allowed me to let go and fully explore these feelings without reservation.

A Journey of Personal Revelation

I also experienced colours, visions, and a journey through symbolic imagery that felt both intensely personal and universally connected. From visions of innocence represented by a young child, to the nurturing presence of Mother Mary, and finally to the powerful image of horses galloping into battle, I was on a journey of connection, bravery, and revelation.

Drumming is a Source of Strength and Joy

What truly surprised me was the difference between this drum journey and the sound baths I was familiar with. While I cherish the tranquility of sound baths, the drumming stirred something fierce and joyful within me. It was as if I was tapping into a well of strength and courage I didn't know I had, an energy that was both grounding and uplifting.

The drums didn't just bring me into a state of deep relaxation; they invigorated me, filling me with a sense of euphoria and connection to something much larger than myself – my ancestors, the earth; and to life itself.

Connecting to my Ancestors

An Invitation to Explore

For anyone curious about shamanic drumming but hesitant to take the first step, I say, just go for it. Don't overthink it. There's a magic in the experience that words can hardly capture, a feeling of being fully alive and connected to the earth, our ancestors and the untapped power we hold in our bodies.

It's an exploration of sound that goes beyond just listening – it's feeling, healing, and discovering parts of yourself you might never have known existed.

I’m grateful to Ruth and Brillo for guiding me through this incredible experience. They've shown me that everyone has courage and joy inside them, waiting to be discovered.

As told to Ruth, who also wrote the article

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