The healing power of drumming became personal for Dr. Lydia Woods in 2014 when she was completing a chaplain internship at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She was one of six chaplains on call that night–on hand to respond to patients and staff members who might need emotional or spiritual support.

At 10 p.m. with pager at her side, Woods finally sought out the comfort of a bed. At once, she was called to attend to a family whose relative had died. That night, Woods did not sleep, but attended one death after another, caring for a total of six families who were grieving the death of a loved one.

When Woods’ work shift ended at 6 a.m., she went directly to a community park to host a drum circle. Still dazed by attending to six deaths in one night, Woods began to drum with the others.

“What happened was miraculous. As I participated in the drumming every weight lifted from my shoulders. My emotions were calmed, and the stress and tension left me,” she said.

Eventually, Woods moved to Arizona where she founded Drum Arizona, Inc. She has facilitated 800 Native American style and African Djembe drum circles and rallied volunteers to create and paint over 500 Native American style drums to donate to children and youth who have experienced trauma. She is currently in need of volunteers to make and paint drums to donate.

Woods will facilitate drum circles 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Doing Grief Community Healing Project in Sun City. Native American style drumming begins at 9 a.m. and African Djembe drumming at 10 a.m. Drums will be provided or individuals can bring their own.

Woods keeps a long list of the benefits of drumming, reporting that it improves circulation and memory, lowers stress and blood pressure, improves concentration, brain function, mental clarity and enhances creativity, energy levels and mindfulness.

“I am passionate about drumming because I have seen first-hand its beneficial effects, and I see it happen with every drum circle,” she said.

Drum circles are the first of a slate of fall programs at Doing Grief Community Healing Project that include “Mourning Light Cafe” grief education series, story circles, prayer and meditation programs, and healing arts and crafts workshops, including wood chip carving, needle felting and wet-on-wet watercolor painting.

Doing Grief Community Healing Project programs are for those of all faiths and philosophies or none. The Healing Project is located at the Interfaith Chapel for Healing–Church of the Palms, 14808 N. Boswell Blvd.

RSVP for Healing Project programs at 602-315-8480, Connect@DoingGrief.com or at DoingGrief.org. A suggested donation of $5-10 can be donated online or at the door. All are welcome regardless of an ability to pay.