Hello and thank you for visiting. My name is Lansing Day. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce our Empowerment Rhythms and Walking-Breathing programs to you.

Through all our programming, our core mission is to assist with awakening and nurturing the soulful life. A life rich with purpose and meaning. Our ultimate aim is to promote the human values of compassion, tolerance, and joy.

We believe that humans beings of ALL ages are naturally drawn to being creative. Our human impulse to be playful and creative, while sharing our freely expressive hearts with others, simply needs an invitation to show up. A safe place to be. In all our programming, we promote that sort of environment of trust, of non-judgment.

What is Empowerment Rhythms?

In short, it is a wellness-based, heart-centered Rhythm Circle of any number of people, which is fun, highly interactive, and powerfully connecting. Of course, the first rhythmical form, natural to all humans, is breathing. We can experience the In-breath and Out-Breath as a simple “call and response” rhythmical form.

With breath awareness as our foundation, “body beats” such as clapping and tapping, while adding vocalizations of a variety of kinds are invited in. This might include group humming, toning, and singing traditional songs, acapella or with guitar accompaniment. Sometimes, simple “frame drums” and non-drum percussion are included. 

There are many ways in–many ways to embark on a rhythmical journey. It all depends on the desired outcome. FUN is number one!

In effect, the experience is altogether shaped by the creative spirit of members of the group. Jumping into the groove is easy. No special musical talent is needed. Heartbeat and other natural rhythms we know from the simple experiences of walking with two feet are familiar and therefore, catchy. Spontaneity flows.

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My story

Having begun formal study of the West African Djembe in 1993 with Master Drummer Maurice Haltom of Ithaca, NY, in 2005 I felt drawn to take my energy and passion for drumming into the field of wellness and community building; I began drum circle facilitator training. Over time, other kinds of expressive, rhythmical modalities found their way into our programming.

I began as a consultant and professional Rhythm Circle Facilitator in 2006, and since then, I’ve facilitated numerous wellness and community building group events, working with many populations with a variety of needs. These include colleges and elementary schools (students and staff), businesses, elder communities (Assisted Living, Memory Care & Nursing Care), youth at risk, adults in recovery, Veterans Hospitals, and communities which assist and educate children and adults with special needs.

I am a certified HealthRHYTHMS facilitator. What is HealthRHYTHMS?
Click and scroll down for a video presentation: http://remo.com/experience/post/healthrhythms/

I have also been a student of Arthur Hull of Village Music Circles (Santa Cruz, CA) http://villagemusiccircles.com/

Over the years I have evolved my own style and methodology, based on these teachings.

In 2013, I moved to Northern Arizona. My team and I are now offering programs to communities in the Cottonwood/Sedona areas, Flagstaff, Prescott, and Phoenix with some travel wider afield.

Some of our Arizona clients (past and present) include Rainbow Acres Ranch (adults with developmental delay), The Sanctuary at Sedona (drug alcohol and trauma rehab); Prescott VA Medical Center, Northern AZ Hospice; Sedona Winds, Cottonwood Village, Austin House (Memory Care); Yavapai County Juvenile Probation, Yavapai Community College (“College for Kids” summer program, ages 6-9), Cupertino Power Learning Academy (children with autism); Mountain Valley Prep Middle School (“City of Peace” Initiative); Sedona Charter School (ages 6-9), West Sedona School (Kindergarten).

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RHYTHMS FOR NATURE (1-2 hours)

Tailored for any age, the primary purpose of Rhythms for Nature is to generate a rhythmical group energy and send our collective appreciation and love to Nature. Body beats and sometimes simple, frame drums are used here. Heartbeat Rhythms, as 3-pulse, are especially potent.

Each session has a theme chosen by the group. We might focus our attention on sending our love and appreciation to Earth & Sky, to the Sun, for example, to Source or God, Moon, Water, Air, Plants or Animals. We might focus on sending our love and appreciation to our bodies, the heart, our organs, our trillions of cells.

It is supremely powerful always to make rhythms and vocalize with the words “I love you.” And also to hum together or “tone”, allowing tonal pitches to emerge naturally, spontaneously–without a concern for reproducing any familiar song or tune.

Whatever the specific group focus may be, participants may also create short, affirming sung or spoken statements which we then integrate into the energy of rhythm-making. Other artful additions could be included, such as free movement, poetry or art-making.

There are many options and variations of formats here.                                              Anything is possible.

For example, in our circle environment, we could choose to primarily feature girls, young women/women as leading, taking position at the Center of the Circle, with boys, young men/men taking on a supportive role, in the outside circle.

RHYTHM FUN IN THE CLASSROOM: For Inspiring Fun and Peacefulness              (ages 5-12); includes Teacher Training

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest program (January 2023) for young children, young adults, and teachers: Rhythm Fun in the Classroom. 

These rhythm activities are just right for times of transition, such as group-time at the start of the day or preparing for moving to lunch or recess or at the end of the day, at dismissal. It could be just the thing to do anytime during the school day where centering, settling, and refocusing is needed. 

This program is sure to generate a feeling of group connection and peacefulness. Grounding in the present moment, in the feeling of one’s body.

We always begin with bringing awareness to the Rhythm of Breathing. Conscious breathing inspires relaxation and peacefulness. We teach that this practice can be employed anytime in our day; to ease difficult emotions, or simply to charge-up our reserves, when we are already in a calm place.

With this practice as our foundation, we move into fun, group rhythm activites.

With students standing, seated cross-legged on the floor in a circle, or seated at tables or desks, the teacher/facilitator leads the group in an engaging adventure of clapping and/or tapping simple, familiar rhythms on knees and other parts of the body. The forms are based in simple, natural 2s, as in walking a 2-step, and in heartbeat patterns (3, 6 or 12).

With the teacher/facilitator leading — choosing to sing simple, familiar songs, chants, mantra or speak rhymes along with the simple patterns heightens the heart connections and fun. Placing words or phrases on the exhale (silently in head) additionally super-charges the experience.

** One of our primary goals is to introduce and teach these modalities to teachers in such a way that it is easy to repeat. And students can take turns at leading. Teachers and students could choose to blend this activity with the aims of Rhythms for Nature (above).

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Lastly, we are excited to once again (after Covid break) to be teaching Walk & Breathe Two-Step. This dance-like modality combines the flowing rhythms of walking and breathing, in sync with two-stepping. And may include simple one or two word mantras, or phrases.

The program can be stand-alone or (for optimal effectiveness) can be combined with any of the above. The method itself is simple. Anyone of any age can easy jump in; with minimal instruction anyone can begin to practice and have fun, feeling the benefits right away.

Please check out our “Walk & Breathe Two-Step” page.

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In our all our programming–whether for the very young or older–establishing a circle environment of safety, equality, non-judgement and fun is hugely important for achieving a successful outcome, with smiles, heart connections and positivity blossoming.

There is no such thing as a “rhythm klutz”. We all are naturally rhythmical. Do not believe anyone who says you are not rhythmical. Most especially, do not believe yourself. Truth is–you are wholly and perfectly rhythmical, simply by being alive and human.

We believe that there is enduring truth in the statements: ALL are connected. One is ALL. ALL LIFE is intimately, interdependently related. When making Rhythms together, in a supportive way, our awareness opens up to the power of these truths.

Empowerment Rhythms has proven to be an effective wellness and community building modality. Yet not all rhythm circles are alike. Our programming is set apart in that it is solely about freedom of expression; it’s not about creating “proper rhythmical song”.

It is not about rhythm-making, per say. It is about building a healthy relationship with one’s body and mind. It’s about taking an active role in self-care, being responsible for one’s own well-being. We believe that practicing respect and love for self and for others are keys to happiness.

Truly, Empowerment Rhythms for any age is about honoring our human relationships–building bridges, improving communication, generating harmony and joy, and choosing Love.

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CONTACT

At this time (May 2023), we are scheduling some private, live events and returning to a few of our long-standing client programs. Our primary, but not exclusive, focus in 2023 is in the field of Childhood and Young Adult Education, serving children and teachers (K-8), and meeting the wellness needs of Elders (in communities); but we welcome anyone to send an inquiry.

We invite you to reach our way to ask us a question, make a comment, or share an insight. Please contact us via email: meditatemusic11@gmail.com ~~ Thank you.