Labyrinths and Drumming

This day will offer you the opportunity to work with Rhythm and with Presence led by two hugely experienced facilitators in their respective fields.

Our Group will be limited to 12 persons to allow us to dive deeply into the Rhythm & Presence process in all it’s aspects.

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Paul John Dear is a Drummer. He spent many happy years in the study of Culturally Specific Rhythm, working with teachers from across the Globe, as well as teaching an ongoing group of his own, performing with many bands and helping to develop and run a festival of West African Music, Rhythm & Grooves. In the year 2000 his life changed direction when he met the man who would become his Mentor until the present day, Arthur Hull of Village Music Circles. Paul has worked as a Drum Circle Facilitator ever since and is now a VMC Global Trainer for the UK Playshop alongside his Training partner Dr Jane Bentley. Paul has a warm, humourous and gentle facilitation style.

Jackie Drew has been walking and working with labyrinths for over 16 years at both temporary and permanent sites. She is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator and has worked with individuals and groups in a range of settings: at a hospice (with staff); with domestic violence support workers; with financial managers; with voluntary and community sector organisations; with students at universities; with women only and mixed gender sessions. She recently facilitated an inaugural public walk for over 200 people at the newly installed permanent labyrinth in Northumberland Park, North Shields, a project led by the New Friends of Northumberland Park Labyrinth Group.

The Labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Many patterns are based on spirals and circles mirrored in nature. In the traditions of indigenous First Nation people of America, the labyrinth is identical to the Medicine Wheel and Man in the Maze. The Celts described the labyrinth as the Never Ending Circle. Labyrinth designs have been found on pottery, tablets and tiles that date as far back as 5000 years. Labyrinths differ from mazes though the two are often confused. A labyrinth is a spiral walking course having a single, winding, unobstructed path from the outside to the centre. Unlike a maze that can be confusing, trick the mind and disorienting, a labyrinth calms the mind and relaxes the body. Labyrinths have been used by many cultures throughout history. Some believe it is a path that represents “the walk” that we take through life; many twists and turns but no dead ends.