Shamanic Drum Birthing Workshop
Your very own drum is a special friend who will heal you, take you on breathtaking journeys and share with you a connection and oneness with all. To birth your own drum is a truly rewarding experience; putting your love, intent and energy into this powerful medicine tool will make a truly special drum for you indeed.
In this full day workshop, you will birth your own Shamanic Drum in a day of ceremony, honouring the spirits of the animal and the tree. We make our drums in the traditional way using lacing cut from the same hide, thus keeping the spirit of the animal within the drum. When you have birthed your drum, you will be led on a journey to connect with the spirit of your drum.
Options
You can make your Shamanic Drum with your choice of Hide and Hoop, which is selected at booking so that we have time to prepare these for you. The hide can be either Stag, Reindeer, or Horse, with a choice of size between 16”, 18” or 20”, on a hoop of Ash, Oak, Birch or Willow.
You will be shown how to make Traditional Cross, Spiraling Cross or Trispiral handle in the workshop.
You also receive a handmade drum beater for your new drum.
Upcoming Shamanic Drum Birthing Workshops - 2025 DATES TBC
Pricing 2024
The cost per person on the drum birthing workshop is:
£350 for a 16” Shamanic Drum
£395 for an 18” Shamanic Drum
£440 for a 20” Shamanic Drum
There is an option to pay in full or a deposit initially and final payment at least 3 weeks before the workshop date. Deposits are non-refundable or transferable. You will receive a reminder email as we approach the workshop date with workshop details and a reminder about final payments.
The Ethics of Hide Drums
All of our hides are ethically and responsibly sourced, for more information click here.
Choosing your Shamanic Drum
For information on the spiritual associations of each of the hides and hoops, click here.
What to bring
Large towel to wrap you drum in, blanket and pillow to lay on for the shamanic journey, packed lunch. If you are putting a crystal in the handle of your drum, something flat about the size of a 10p piece is ideal.
Workshop Timings
We aim to start the workshops at 9.30am, so please arrive from 9am. We do not have a set end-time as I do not wish to rush people in making their drums, but we usually finish between 5pm and 6pm. That time is just a guide, so we do not recommend that you plan an evening too tightly to those times.
What others say
“Jonathan was a fantastic host and space holder. He made me feel welcome and at ease. He was so helpful and has so much knowledge. It is a beautiful experience to craft an instrument that is individual to yourself. More than just a drum making workshop it is a ceremony and ritual to bring the drum to life and learn about the history of shamanic drumming.”
“Had a wonderful day birthing my own shamanic drum. Jonathan is an engaging and thoroughly knowledgeable facilitator who knows how to get the best out of a group and created a supportive environment for everybody.”
“The drum will call you when you are ready. And once you are ready, choose Jonathan - he’s the most gentle, caring and wise facilitator for that!”
“My favourite things about the day: Jonathan’s knowledge and patience. The actual pulling of the chord. The sharing of this experience with the ones I was meant to share it with. The ceremony, the drumming, the connecting to the spirit of the drum... what can I say, I loved all of it!”
Drum Birthing Workshop FAQS
Jonathan has been holding these workshops around the country for more than ten years, working with thousands of people to share the art of drum birthing and spread this ancient skill and knowledge with all those that feel the love of the drum.
This FAQ section aims to provide you with comprehensive answers to the most common queries that participants often have before attending our workshops. We hope this information will help you feel well-prepared and excited for the incredible journey ahead.
If you have any additional questions or concerns that are not covered here, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to ensuring that your drum birthing workshop experience is not only memorable but also fulfilling in every way.
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The Shamanic Drum Birthing workshop is a one day workshop, but it is a long day. We begin promptly at 9:30am, so ask people to arrive shortly before.
We do not have a set end-time as I do not wish to rush people in making their drums, but we usually finish between 5pm and 6pm. It is important to mention that this time is just a guide, so we do not recommend that you plan an evening too tightly to those times, as leaving early means missing important parts of the workshop.
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When you book, there is an option to pay in full or pay a deposit.
The final payment is due 3 weeks before the workshop date, and we will send a reminder email around that time with with details about what to bring on the workshop date, and also links to pay the balance on-line.
The reminder email doesn’t automatically calculate the remaining balance for you, so please keep track of what you have left to pay, or contact us if you are unsure.
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At Heron Drums, our Shamanic Drums include a trademark feature—a crystal in the handle. We introduced this style over a decade ago, and it has remained popular ever since. When crafting your drum on the workshop, you have the option to include a stone in the handle, though it's not mandatory.
If you choose to add a crystal to your drum's handle, please remember to bring it with you. We recommend a crystal size of approximately 20-30mm, which is roughly the size of a 10p piece. It's preferable if the crystal has one flat side, allowing it to sit securely in the handle.
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Drum Birthing is a physical activity, as crafting your drum involves tasks such as lacing the drum and tightening the lacing. However, we want to assure you that our workshops are designed to accommodate individuals of varying physical abilities, and we emphasise the importance of proper technique over physical exertion.
The workshop day is thoughtfully paced to allow you to take breaks as needed, including during the crafting, allowing everyone to work at their own rhythm and get into a flow with their drum.
Over the years, we've worked with thousands of people, including many with various physical and health conditions. We are here to assist as much or as little as you require throughout the process, and are proud to say that everybody on our workshops have successfully birthed their drums with our guidance and support. -
Please bring:
A large towel to work on at the table, and wrap you drum in after the workshop,
A blanket and pillow to lay on for the shamanic journey,
A packed lunch.
If you are putting a crystal in the handle of your drum, please bring this with you. Ideal size is about 20-30mm, about the size of a 10p piece, ideally with one flat side for it to sit on.
Birth your own Shamanic Drum in a day of ceremony and sacred crafting near Canterbury, Kent