Drummers pray for peace in CSRA using drum circle - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

There's a rhythmic thumping pulsating across the CSRA. It's the beat of twelve drummers in unison.

"I have become addicted to drumming," said Erika Bolin, who has multiple sclerosis.

For the past year, Bolin has used drumming as physical therapy; a way to coordinate her hand and mind.

"What I've discovered is in the past year drumming, is that I've gotten my left hand to now work," Bolin said. "Last year this time, I couldn't move these fingers. And drumming has actually made synapses in my brain work again."

Bolin is meditating with "iDrum2U, Inc.," a recreational and health company that teaches health rhythms through drum circles.

"When you move your hands, it's just like doing cardiovascular workouts," said Northal "Not" Gaddy, founder of iDrum2U. "It helps build up the immune system, it helps decrease stress, and it's all about drumming."

Drum circles are often used recreationally, but these drummers are using it spiritually. Each pulse is a prayer for peace in the CSRA. Just this year, two men were killed by gun violence; one after a New Year's Eve party at a south Augusta nightclub, the other in his Aiken home early New Year's Day.

"Prayer is about focus," Gaddy said. "In drumming you have to focus because when you're in a circle, the circle represents unity, and the whole point of unity is people working together."

…working together, members of the circle pound on their drums for hours; hoping to manifest peace in our area.