Welcome to this episode of Authors’ Allies. In today's show, host Rebecca Paciorek sits down with the remarkable Laurel Hurst, who transitioned from ethnomusicologist to psychiatric nurse practitioner to bring the power of groove-based drumming to address the mental health crisis.
Laurel recently added "author" to her impressive resume with her new bookGroove Therapy. The book beautifully combines workbook, memoir, and instructional elements, even incorporating QR codes linking to videos of the drumming practices. Laurel discusses how she discovered the connection between mental health and physical movement through drumming after a serious car accident left her in chronic pain.
She explained that Groove Therapy sessions involve drumming along with familiar pop and American songbook tunes to engage people who may not be from drumming cultures. The sessions incorporate affirmations and primitive reflex integration techniques to provide mental health benefits. Laurel vulnerably shares her health struggles and strong Christian faith as motivations for her important work.
Join us for this fascinating discussion about the healing power of rhythm, why it's never too late to flourish, and how Laurel hopes to expand groove therapy's reach through future books and facilitator training. That and much more, coming up now on Authors Allies.
Key Topics:
Introduction & Laurel's Background
What is an Ethnomusicologist?
Laurel's Experience with Drumming and Health
Groove Therapy Origins & Laurel's Book Writing Process
What Makes Groove Therapy Unique
Future Plans
Key Takeaways
It's never too late to flourish and fundamentally heal your health
Laurel put multiple chronic conditions into remission through this work
Groove Therapy is fun, like dancing, while helping mind and body
Where You Can Find Laurel Hurst
Website:Grooveforhealth.com
Book:Groove Therapy is available on Amazon inprint and ebook.
Programs: Laurel’s program information is available on herwebsite.
Try a Groove Session: onLaurel’s Facebook group.
Podcast: The Brain Health Hookup is on all the main channels includingSpotify.
Follow Laurelon social media and try a Groove SessionHERE.
Other Links & Resources
Authors’ AlliesRoundTable can be found on ourwebsite.
Ebook: Did you download your copy of 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan ebook yet? You can get that HERE.
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