Although art and drawing are typically associated with self-expression, experts say that drum circles -- a lesser-known musical tradition -- can help people express themselves while improving their physical and mental health in the process.

Carol Lindsay, a professional drummer and drum circle facilitator, describes drum circles as an interactive experience of self-expression.

Participants sit in a circle and learn how to express themselves by playing different percussion instruments. This technique is known as the principle of entrainment -- the law of synchronization when two rhythms naturally line up. The benefits of rhythmic drumming are stress release, improved motor skills and open communication, she said.

Lindsay recently created the State College-based drumming program Rhythm Play with friend and fellow drum circle enthusiast Jenny Conway to share her passion with others.

Group drumming specifically boosts the immune system through an increase in natural-killer activity -- white blood cells that seek out and destroy cancer cells, said Alyssa Jan ney, manager of the Health Rhythms department at Remo Inc. drumming company.

The company recently developed this department to further study the benefits of rhythm drumming on the immune system and body functions.

Health Rhythms has conducted multiple studies to explore the physiological and social benefits of drum circles. Their findings show that drum circles have the potential to alter stress-related hormones, improving mood states and acting as a social tool for building camaraderie and support, Janney said.

Lindsay has worked with all types of clients, from school children to Alzheimer's patients at the Brookline Village healthcare and retirement community.

"It's for everyone," Lindsay said. "The great thing [about drum circles] is that no prior experience is necessary. There is no right or wrong way to play."

Lindsay uses other forms of percussion, from driftwood to bells, to reduce the pressure of the situation and create a non-intimidating atmosphere for clients, she said.

Lindsay said in a very verbally oriented society, drumming is a therapy that offers a form of expression without words to help sharpen other skills. For example, autistic individuals are able to express themselves through rhythmic communications, while Alzheimer's patients focus on hand clapping and singing songs to help trigger and retain certain memories, she said.

Music taps into parts of the brain that are not involved in verbal communication and provide other ways of connecting and communicating, said Valerie Stratton, music therapy expert and associate professor of psychology at Penn State Altoona.

She said rhythm drumming is especially helpful for people who have trouble communicating verbally.

People are attracted to drum circles for individual reasons, but there "clearly are physical and mental health benefits to drumming," said Dan Trevino, senior lecturer in biobehavioral health and a drum circle leader at Penn State. The circle is a chance to leave work and worries behind, he said.

The common denominator among participants seems to be "a desire to relax and do something that's fun, to be with other people and create something together -- a musical rhythm that sounds good," Trevino said.