A few years ago, I started the practice of envisioning what my life would look like when I’m thriving. I saw myself surrounded by people I love and trust, in beautiful nature, sharing an intention for wellbeing, lots of music and dancing, and living in connection with the land.
Recently, with huge gratitude, I’ve realized that I’ve already started living that thriving vision as a reality. This thriving reality can be captured in two words: Amor Tambor (translated to Drum Love or Love Drum). Amor Tambor is a name for an idea I came up with over six years ago. But only this year did it begin to materialize as pop-up coliving and co-learning experiments.
In this post, I will share about the idea and intention of Amor Tambor, the practices involved with it, the impact it has had, and why I believe that living my dream life not only benefits me but also the world.
The Idea of Amor Tambor
Back in 2017, the idea of Amor Tambor first came to me as a movement of collaborating with percussionists all over the world. I imagined travelling between countries, organzing pop-up festivals with local musicians in which we would learn about the local musical culture and celebrate together through music, dance, and rituals. I wanted to raise funds to support percussionists in different parts of the world.
I shared this idea with my dad, and for our 90th birthday party (he was turning 60 and I 30), he helped me organize a little fundraiser among family and friends. Yet, due to my studies, my entrepreneurial activities and other life events, this idea was put on hold.
Then, last year, the idea emerged to organize a gathering of friends over two weeks on a beach called, coincidentally, Playa Tambor. My invitation to everyone was to explore what is possible when we share an intention of fostering individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing. Having over time witnessed the power of music, and in particular drums, in creating connection and wellbeing, I was eager to make the drum play a central role in the experience. Hence, I brought back the name Amor Tambor.
In the next section I dive deeper into the intentions behind the Amor Tambor experience.
Intentions
The intentions of the Amor Tambor experience were several. They included the following:
- Share practices that support individual, collective and planetary wellbeing.
- Help each other integrate healthy habits into our daily lives.
- Ask ourselves questions that are important at this moment in our evolution
- Try out coliving with friends in a values-aligned way.
- Experiment/identify processes that work and don’t work
- Co-create and allow collective wisdom to emerge.
- Ensure the responsibility of the experience doesn’t fall on one or two people but is shared
- Have the opportunity to SHINE and share our unique gifts and talents.
- Have FUN, enjoy lots of music and dance a lot!
These were the words I used in the the invitation for the first Amor Tambor experience:
A few years ago, I started the practice of envisioning what my life would look like when I’m thriving. I saw myself surrounded by people I love and trust, in beautiful nature, sharing an intention for wellbeing, lots of music and dancing, and living in connection with the land.
Recently, with huge gratitude, I’ve realized that I’ve already started living that thriving vision as a reality. This thriving reality can be captured in two words: Amor Tambor (translated to Drum Love or Love Drum). Amor Tambor is a name for an idea I came up with over six years ago. But only this year did it begin to materialize as pop-up coliving and co-learning experiments.
In this post, I will share about the idea and intention of Amor Tambor, the practices involved with it, the impact it has had, and why I believe that living my dream life not only benefits me but also the world.
The Idea of Amor Tambor
Back in 2017, the idea of Amor Tambor first came to me as a movement of collaborating with percussionists all over the world. I imagined travelling between countries, organzing pop-up festivals with local musicians in which we would learn about the local musical culture and celebrate together through music, dance, and rituals. I wanted to raise funds to support percussionists in different parts of the world.
I shared this idea with my dad, and for our 90th birthday party (he was turning 60 and I 30), he helped me organize a little fundraiser among family and friends. Yet, due to my studies, my entrepreneurial activities and other life events, this idea was put on hold.
Then, last year, the idea emerged to organize a gathering of friends over two weeks on a beach called, coincidentally, Playa Tambor. My invitation to everyone was to explore what is possible when we share an intention of fostering individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing. Having over time witnessed the power of music, and in particular drums, in creating connection and wellbeing, I was eager to make the drum play a central role in the experience. Hence, I brought back the name Amor Tambor.
In the next section I dive deeper into the intentions behind the Amor Tambor experience.
Intentions
The intentions of the Amor Tambor experience were several. They included the following:
- Share practices that support individual, collective and planetary wellbeing.
- Help each other integrate healthy habits into our daily lives.
- Ask ourselves questions that are important at this moment in our evolution
- Try out coliving with friends in a values-aligned way.
- Experiment/identify processes that work and don’t work
- Co-create and allow collective wisdom to emerge.
- Ensure the responsibility of the experience doesn’t fall on one or two people but is shared
- Have the opportunity to SHINE and share our unique gifts and talents.
- Have FUN, enjoy lots of music and dance a lot!
These were the words I used in the the invitation for the first Amor Tambor experience:
What is possible when you live in a space designed to nurture your highest potential? When everyone around you is supporting your wellbeing? When we tune in and sync with nature’s rhythms?
By how much can we improve our health by being more conscious of what we consume? By getting more restorative sleep?
What can emerge when we create time to really focus? To deeply connect, have fun, and rest?
What comes alive when we feel safe to express ourselves authentically? To be real about our emotions and feelings?
What does BEing LOVE look and feel like? And how can we practice BEing LOVE every day?
These are some of the questions that we will explore by living intentionally together for two weeks at Playa Tambor, immersed in nature, practicing healthy habits, and nurturing relaxation, creativity, connection, authentic expression, and playfulness.
What is possible when you live in a space designed to nurture your highest potential? When everyone around you is supporting your wellbeing? When we tune in and sync with nature’s rhythms?
By how much can we improve our health by being more conscious of what we consume? By getting more restorative sleep?
What can emerge when we create time to really focus? To deeply connect, have fun, and rest?
What comes alive when we feel safe to express ourselves authentically? To be real about our emotions and feelings?
What does BEing LOVE look and feel like? And how can we practice BEing LOVE every day?
These are some of the questions that we will explore by living intentionally together for two weeks at Playa Tambor, immersed in nature, practicing healthy habits, and nurturing relaxation, creativity, connection, authentic expression, and playfulness.
In the next section, I’ll describe some of the practices that we decided to try out together.
Intentions
I have had the privilege to experience many types of practices that support wellbeing. As a young girl, I grew up in a family that valued spending time in nature, physical activity, and gratitude. Later on, books like The Power of Now and mindfulness practices taught by monastics of the Plum Village tradition began to transform my life for the better. Upon co-founding Conscious Coliving, I also began to research the practices that support wellbeing at an individual, collective and planetary level. And more recently, my partner, Juan, and I have geeked out on the wellbeing science behind longevity and the practices that support living a long and healthy life.
During the Amor Tambor experience, we invited everyone to try out many of these life-enhancing practices. In addition, we created open spaces for others to share the practices that have had a positive impact on their wellbeing. In this way, we created a culture of co-learning and co-experimenting. The practices included the following:
- Meditative mornings with mindful movement, breathwork, chi gong and group meditation
- Muscle-building workouts
- Time in nature that inspire a sense of awe and wonder
- Gratitude rituals
- Nutritious meals (excluding in particular sugar, white flour, and alcohol)
- Exploring our creative side
- Spaces for deep, authentic connection with others
- Different kinds of circles (deep sharing, cacao, medicine music, healing)
- Using nonviolent communication to resolve issues and leverage conflict for connection
- Music jamming and instrument experimentation
- Conscious and ecstatic dance
- Ice baths
- Deep relaxation and resting
- Taking solo time when needed
- Reduced screen time, dim lights after sunset, and getting restorative sleep
- Energy and sound healing
In the next section, I’ll describe some of the practices that we decided to try out together.
Intentions
I have had the privilege to experience many types of practices that support wellbeing. As a young girl, I grew up in a family that valued spending time in nature, physical activity, and gratitude. Later on, books like The Power of Now and mindfulness practices taught by monastics of the Plum Village tradition began to transform my life for the better. Upon co-founding Conscious Coliving, I also began to research the practices that support wellbeing at an individual, collective and planetary level. And more recently, my partner, Juan, and I have geeked out on the wellbeing science behind longevity and the practices that support living a long and healthy life.
During the Amor Tambor experience, we invited everyone to try out many of these life-enhancing practices. In addition, we created open spaces for others to share the practices that have had a positive impact on their wellbeing. In this way, we created a culture of co-learning and co-experimenting. The practices included the following:
- Meditative mornings with mindful movement, breathwork, chi gong and group meditation
- Muscle-building workouts
- Time in nature that inspire a sense of awe and wonder
- Gratitude rituals
- Nutritious meals (excluding in particular sugar, white flour, and alcohol)
- Exploring our creative side
- Spaces for deep, authentic connection with others
- Different kinds of circles (deep sharing, cacao, medicine music, healing)
- Using nonviolent communication to resolve issues and leverage conflict for connection
- Music jamming and instrument experimentation
- Conscious and ecstatic dance
- Ice baths
- Deep relaxation and resting
- Taking solo time when needed
- Reduced screen time, dim lights after sunset, and getting restorative sleep
- Energy and sound healing
In the table below, I highlight a few of these practices and the wellbeing science behind them.
Practice | Details | Well-being Science |
Morning Routine | Meditation, Chi gong, yoga, breathwork | These practices can reduce stress, enhance mindfulness, and improve mood by balancing the autonomic nervous system and increasing endorphin levels. |
Healthy Nutrition | Low sugar, alcohol, and white flour | Diets low in sugar and refined carbs can stabilize blood sugar levels, improve energy, and support cognitive function. Reducing alcohol intake benefits liver health and mental clarity. |
Rituals | Cacao ceremony | Cacao is rich in antioxidants and can boost mood by increasing serotonin levels. Ritualistic activities can enhance mindfulness and create a sense of community. |
Music and Dance | Karaoke, jamming | Singing and dancing release endorphins and oxytocin, improving mood and social bonding. They also reduce stress and enhance cardiovascular health. |
Playing | Kid games | Playfulness stimulates creativity, reduces stress, and can improve social skills and cognitive function by encouraging novel thinking and problem-solving. |
Nature | Awe-inspiring experiences, fresh air, hikes, mindful walks exploring nature | Exposure to nature reduces stress, boosts mood, and enhances cognitive function. Fresh air and physical activity improve physical health and well-being. |
Healing Practices | Ice bath, energy healing, sound healing | Ice baths can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. Energy healing and sound healing may promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, though scientific evidence is mixed. |
Authentic Relating | Sharing circles, deep conversations about meaningful topics | Deep conversations foster emotional connection, enhance empathy, and can improve psychological resilience. Authentic relating practices often strengthen community bonds and personal insight. |
The next section describes the impact that the Amor Tambor experience and practices had on some of the participants.
Impact of Amor Tambor
The next section describes the impact that the Amor Tambor experience and practices had on some of the participants.
Impact of Amor Tambor
I felt held and safe, seen and heard. My experience here has been one of a dream. Dream meals, dream conversations, dream connections, dream community. My heart is filled with an immense amount of gratitude for the spaces shared – extending a sincere and deep thank you to each of you.
From the moment I arrived, I felt being wrapped in a blanket of love. The co-creation in all aspects of life is an experience I’d use as aguiding light to find my way home. This was a wonderful and magical experience!- Yav
I felt held and safe, seen and heard. My experience here has been one of a dream. Dream meals, dream conversations, dream connections, dream community. My heart is filled with an immense amount of gratitude for the spaces shared – extending a sincere and deep thank you to each of you.
From the moment I arrived, I felt being wrapped in a blanket of love. The co-creation in all aspects of life is an experience I’d use as aguiding light to find my way home. This was a wonderful and magical experience!- Yav
From the moment I arrived, I felt being wrapped in a blanket of love. The co-creation in all aspects of life is an experience I’d use as aguiding light to find my way home. This was a wonderful and magical experience!- Yav
Yav
I felt held and safe, seen and heard. My experience here has been one of a dream. Dream meals, dream conversations, dream connections, dream community. My heart is filled with an immense amount of gratitude for the spaces shared – extending a sincere and deep thank you to each of you.
Mari
Amor Tambor permitted me to connect with myself and find trust in myself. To speak out without mental barriers. I felt in a safe space, which allowed for more openness. I felt I could flow feeling safe and to open my heart to receive feedback without criticism but as support really had a big impact on me. Makes me believe in myself again
Fernanda
Learnings and Challenges
Of course, any experiment involving humans is going to have its share of challenges. I highlight a few before:
- Structure and flow: In the first Amor Tambor, we felt too much time was spent figuring out logistics such as cooking and food shopping. In addition, there was some lack of clarity about when certain activities would be happening. This was more clear in the second
- Cooking and Cleaning: We tried a few ways to organize the cooking and cleaning logistics, including on volunteer and on rota basis. Both strategies faced some issues. We are still learning how to best organize ourselves!
- Arrival and departures: With people coming and going on different days, we had to do quite some adjusting around diets and schedules.
- Varied routines: Some people were on holiday while others were working remotely during the day. At times it created a sense of unease when organzing group activities.
- Privilege: We made the Amor Tambor experience as accessible as possible, asking people to help cover costs and contributing whatever else was in their current capacity. Nonetheless, we acknowledged being able to share this kind of experience is a privelege that not everyone has.
Learnings and Challenges
Of course, any experiment involving humans is going to have its share of challenges. I highlight a few before:
- Structure and flow: In the first Amor Tambor, we felt too much time was spent figuring out logistics such as cooking and food shopping. In addition, there was some lack of clarity about when certain activities would be happening. This was more clear in the second
- Cooking and Cleaning: We tried a few ways to organize the cooking and cleaning logistics, including on volunteer and on rota basis. Both strategies faced some issues. We are still learning how to best organize ourselves!
- Arrival and departures: With people coming and going on different days, we had to do quite some adjusting around diets and schedules.
- Varied routines: Some people were on holiday while others were working remotely during the day. At times it created a sense of unease when organzing group activities.
- Privilege: We made the Amor Tambor experience as accessible as possible, asking people to help cover costs and contributing whatever else was in their current capacity. Nonetheless, we acknowledged being able to share this kind of experience is a privelege that not everyone has.