Rhythms of relaxation and connection: escape stress in the drum circle

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Rhythms of relaxation and connection: escape stress in the drum circle

In a warm, intimate studio, the beat of the drum pulses, low and deep like a living heartbeat. At RMIT Wellbeing’s Drum Circle, students shed their worries, feel free to show up as they are to connect with others, and rediscover the rhythm that grounds them.

The therapeutic power of rhythm and music

Inspired by the natural harmony of rhythm and music, Therapeutic Drum Circle: Rhythm to Recharge is a vibrant initiative by Counselling & Psychological Services (CAPS) within the RMIT Vietnam Wellbeing Department. The workshop offers students a creative and uplifting space to reconnect with themselves and each other.

Held in the soundproof, spacious Studio 1.1.034 in Saigon South campus, the sessions offered a space for students and staff to to come together and share a rhythm and immerse themselves. The workshop then creates a supportive environment where everyone can lead, try something new, and express themselves without fear of judgment or failure, focusing on collaboration and connection, with all activities designed to foster the creative exploration.

Michael Tower, RMIT’s Wellbeing Director, shares wholeheartedly: “It’s vital for students to find creative and expressive outlets that support their wellbeing. Drum circles build community and offer a safe space to release emotions that might be hard to express otherwise.”

Each session welcomes 20 participants to experience healing through shared rhythm.

The first rhythm

As an advocate for integrating creative tools into preventive mental health care, Ms Han Dinh, Outreach and Psychological Service Specialist at RMIT Wellbeing, had always been eager to organise outreach activities that support stress reduction in ways that engage and encourage self-expression and authenticity. So, when she spoke with Michael Tower, and he suggested holding regular drum circles for our students, she immediately brought it to life, with support from Bachelor of Psychology student Tran Dinh. She reflected:

Drumming is such a simple yet powerful way for students to release stress and build connections. Rhythm and music have always been part of what makes us human, and I hope these sessions help everyone tap into that, reconnecting with themselves and with the people around them.

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Staying present is the heart of the drum circle

In the drum circle, rhythm grounds us in the present. It quiets the noise of academic stress, anxious thoughts, and the rush of the outside world, centering us on what matters: our feelings, the beat, and each other.

“I joined the Therapeutic Drum Circle to cope with the stress of nonstop submissions,” said Geomilie, a PhD student. “Being in that moment helped me recharge and return to my work with fresh energy.”

Each session starts with a warm-up and check-in, where students share simple, honest reflections like “How was your week?” or “How are you feeling right now?”. This calm moment helps everyone settle into space, ready to connect and create together.

Then comes the djembe, the heartbeat of the circle. The participants then discover the drum’s unique voice and experiment with its sounds. Through playful games and easy rhythms, confidence builds, and the group begins to flow together as one.

For Vy Le, a senior student in Professional Communication, the invitation from her teammates came at the most unexpected time, during the busiest week of her semester. But saying yes led to an experience full of surprises. “Together, we explored different drumming techniques and rhythms,” Vy recalls. “As someone who considers myself a hardcore introvert, I was surprised by how naturally I settled into the drumming relay, where each person echoed the rhythm of the one before. I let go and truly went with the flow.”

The session ends with a joyful drum roll and deep bass pulse, a powerful reminder that presence is the heartbeat that connects us all.

“Joining the drum circle felt like catching up with an old friend,” said Thinh Nguyen, a second-year student. “I used to play drums in elementary school and really enjoyed it, but over the years, life got busy, and I stopped. When I picked up the drum again, I wasn’t sure I’d remember how, but as soon as I started, the rhythm came back like it had never left.”

Playing alongside others brought fresh energy and connection. “The way our beats blended reminded me how fun and freeing it can be. For a little while, all the stress faded, and I was just there, in the moment,” Thinh reflects.

Rhythm louder than words

One of the most fun and heartwarming parts of the session is the call-and-response. It’s where anyone can create a rhythm, and the whole group picks it up, just like passing around a spark that lights up the room. This is where the magic happens: people stepping up, feeling heard, and sharing a moment that’s full of surprises, laughter, and pure joy.

In one activity, participants do an emotional check-in using only non-verbal gestures. As each person mirrors the other’s expression, the room fills with a quiet sense of empathy and shared understanding.

Mia Nguyen, a first-year student, felt grounded and connected.

Mia Nguyen, first-year student felt grounded and connected. She reflects on her experience: “As the drumbeats surrounded me, I felt embraced, held in warmth and safety. When everyone called my name in unison, my fears began to melt away. It awakened a deep desire in me to explore sound as a tool for emotional expression and free from judgment.”

March to the beat of your own drum

As the session unfolds, students are invited to explore self-expression beyond just drumming but using body movement, voice, or even silence. It’s about reconnecting with the non-verbal language we all carry within us, a powerful tool for emotional expression and connection.

An improvisation round follows, where the facilitator lays down a simple beat, and everyone is free to respond, such as adding rhythms, sounds, or movements that feel right in the moment. It’s a space that encourages spontaneity, instinct, and authenticity. “What I hope students gain isn’t just stress relief, but a deeper sense of connection and belonging,” shares the session lead.

The session then closes with a joyful drum roll and a deep bass tone, bringing the group together for one final shared beat.

Vy adds: “By the end of the session, I felt calmer, lighter, and more energized to finish my assignment. This experience has stayed with me, and I would absolutely recommend the Therapeutic Drumming Circle to anyone at RMIT, whether you're a pro drummer or completely new to it.

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Over semester 1 2025, RMIT Wellbeing hosted four drum circle sessions, drawing over 40 students. The positive outcomes highlight the value of creative expression and community connection. Moving forward, the Wellbeing Department will continue holding bi-weekly drum circles, introducing new exercises and activities to help students not only relieve stress but also feel welcomed and a stronger sense of belonging.

Register for Drum Circle series (login required)

Story: Written by Thao Phuong Pham, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, with inputs from Ms Han Dinh and RMIT Vietnam Wellbeing. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam.

25 July 2025

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