The Beat of your Own Drum by Sophie Messager

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Review of The Beat of Your Own Drum by Sophie Messager – Rachael Crow

The Beat of Your Own Drum is a timely and much-needed book for anyone interested in the art and practice of drumming. Sophie Messager has created a guide that is both inspiring and practical, one that deserves a place in every drummer’s collection and, metaphorically, in every medicine bag alongside the drum itself.

What makes this book distinctive is Messager’s ability to bridge science and spirit with clarity and depth. Drawing on academic research, lived experience, and a wide range of resources, she presents the drum as a powerful tool for personal and collective healing. The book explores drumming in many contexts—supporting mental health, easing physical challenges, calming the mind, inducing altered states, and offering empowerment. It also highlights the role of drumming across life’s thresholds, from birth through to death, situating it within the wider arc of human experience.

Messager does not stop at theory. She also provides a wealth of practical advice, from guidance on buying or birthing a drum, to caring for it, to developing a regular practice. Her chapters on drumming circles are particularly valuable, offering both encouragement and structure for those who feel called to create community through rhythm.

Importantly, this book situates drumming within its historical and cultural roots while also pointing to its future potential. Messager reminds us that drumming has always been integral to human ritual and connection, and she makes a compelling case for its continued relevance in modern life as a tool for building resilience, fostering belonging, and cultivating transformation.

In summary, The Beat of Your Own Drum is both a celebration and a manual—comprehensive, accessible, and deeply thoughtful. It is a book that speaks to the heart as well as the mind, and one that every drummer, whether beginner or experienced, will benefit from reading.

one of my favourite quotes from the book “….In many agrian cultures, rhythmic percussion music played by women was associated with events like birth, agriculture and the seasons. Drums held sacred powers and were played by priestesses of the goddess to induce trance states during spiritual rituals.”

Weaving together science and sacred wisdom, Sophie Messager explores the transformative power of drumming for women’s wellbeing. Written by a former biological research scientist turned holistic women mentor, this ground-breaking text bridges the gap between evidence-based research and ancient feminine wisdom.

Drawing on historical evidence, cutting-edge research, and personal experience, Sophie weaves together a compelling narrative that reveals drumming as far more than a musical practice. She explores its role in everything from supporting neurodivergent individuals to offering a natural alternative to psychedelics, from easing birth journeys to facilitating social change.

Sophie’s expertise in supporting women’s life transitions – from birth to perimenopause – enriches her investigation of how drumming can support these crucial thresholds. Her research spans from the historical significance of women drummers to contemporary applications in healthcare and ceremony, creating a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in the intersection of rhythm and wellbeing.

Whether you’re a seasoned drummer, a curious beginner, or a professional interested in innovative wellbeing approaches, this book offers practical guidance alongside fascinating insights. Discover how the simple act of drumming can regulate your nervous system, enhance your spiritual practice, and help you navigate life’s transitions with greater ease and authenticity.

This book encapsulates everything you need to know about sacred drumming, in fact this book should come as standard issue with every drum – bought and birthed.
Rachael Crow