DRUMMING IS MY THERAPY
Omri Lapidot
Omri Lapidot [M.Sc] (Lic.Ac), Drum Therapist, personal coach and group facilitator of therapeutic rhythm workshops. Has been drumming with special needs populations since 2001, specializes with geriatric, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s - rehabilitation patients. Omri teaches in ‘Campus Broshim’, Tel- Aviv University, instructs workshops for therapists and works in ‘Me'ir’ Medical Center, Kefar Sava, and in his private clinic, Hoffit.
“I believe the drum is much more than a musical instrument. It’s a beautiful simple way for communication from the heart, and is absolutely a messenger of joy. Everywhere I enter carrying drums, people get interested. And when they start playing they spontaneously start smiling. The faster the beat goes, the bigger their smiles get”.
- Omri Lapidot
FRAIL IN BODY AND SOUL
PARKINSON AND ALZHEIMER
The sound of a Heart beat is probably the first sound we hear, still in our mother’s womb,
and it seems to also be the last way of communication for people with dementia.
When there is no independent movement, no speech, and hardly any memory left,
this simple yet powerful way of communication opens for them a bridge back to life,
to their families, caregivers and loved ones.
For Dementia patients drumming can work like magic.
Suddenly they have a strong “voice” to express themselves, they are pulsing together
in a group, rather than sitting alone, and maybe most important, they start smiling!
DRUMMING GROUPS
FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS
SENIORS AND RETIREES
GERIATRIC REHAB FACILITIES
Private Lessons
and Workshops
Day Centers
and Medical Centers
AUTISTIC SPECTRUM
AND MENTAL DISABILITIES
EDUCATION
AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
Employment Centers
and Hostels
Kindergartens, Schools
and Youth at Risk
DRUG AND ALCOHOL
ABUSE AND WITHDRAWAL
PDSD
POST-TRAUMATIC SYNDROME
Therapeutic Groups
and Shelters
Combat Stress
Anxiety Disorders
I've been working with a lady in a very advanced stage of Alzheimer, whose verbal abilities are completely disappearing. When you give her a drum, it is really like a miracle. Suddenly she gets the rhythm- it is like popping out from deep down inside of her. Sometimes I look at her hands and the way she plays, it seems like she once knew how to drum, and it's in complete contradiction with her cognitive situation.
Vici Nanni
Director of the Day Center for the Elderly
MATAV Association
Drumming is just amazing for me. First of all, it is well known that in Parkinson’s disease one side of the body gets weaker. In my case it is the left side that's weaker, so when I first tried to drum, my left hand couldn’t work at all, but I didn’t give up. Omri encourages us not to give up. In one session, after a few minutes when I couldn’t use my left hand, suddenly it started moving and drumming, and since then my hand cooperates much better.
Bella Levi
Drummer with Parkinson's
I saw people that I couldn’t believe will reach such a high level of functioning within the group, and it was clear that it was really an exceptional and significant experience for them.