John Bowker has developed the concept of Tribal Spirit Drumming, with its particular approach and ethos, in collaboration with other members of the wider TSD community. This community is made up of people who have come along to weekly classes, once-of workshops or more extended weekend and weeklong workshops; in short anyone who has engaged at some level with TSD over the years.

Over time, some of the drummers have decided to set up their own weekly classes, or indeed bring the tribal spirit ethos into their work more generally. Core members, working closely with John include Rachel Parry, Greeny, Ben Coombs, and Anet Moore.

Dave Coller, a long time participant of Boghill drumming weekends began his weekly classes in West Wicklow. Emerging from this burgeoning community has been Tom Quinn, who having worked with John and Dave for a number of years now has his own classes in Dublin. Ruth Brennan is also running classes in Benderloch, near Oban, in Scotland. Details of all these classes are available by following links to the right above.

Listening From The Heart

A central aspect of the Tribal Spirit ethos has been the ability to create a safe space where we can explore and experience all that it means to be human; our strength and power but also our fragility. In this work we incorporate insights from re-evaluation counselling and other similar ideas. From these roots a further branch of the Tribal Spirit Community is growing, which gives particularly space to this work called 'Listening from the Heart'.  Listening from the heart is a space where we can learn to share deep attention and learn, remember and explore some skills that can help us release old hurts and negative patterns of behaviour. This work then helps us to claim fully creative and fulfilling lives. Members of the Tribal Spirit community are bringing their skills and experience to leading in this area, including Rachel, Keran, Anet and Angie.

“I love leading, and other sharing, listening work. Having been leading and teaching in this field for over 20 years, it's what I love to do, and intend to continue for the rest of my life”. Keran Simmonds

Further details on others in the TSD network (incl drumming classes, and other related work) to follow.