Rain-soaked journey through music sessions at Revive
At had been cold since morning, a quiet mist draping itself over Kampala, and, by midday, the skies opening up and rain tapping gently on the tents at Revive Wellness Clinic.
But inside the shelter, something warm was rising. A different kind of weather stitched from rhythm, breath and soul. The Revive Wellness Clinic at Lower Kololo Terrace brought together women, children, wellness practitioners and music lovers for a full-day immersion into self-care and creative expression.
Spirits remained high as the event began beneath a white tent set up beside an open-air yoga studio.
“This rain… it’s cleansing,” one participant whispered. “It’s part of the ritual.”
The studio stood in the middle of green space, with one wall of mirrors, no doors, just a simple wooden frame flowing with white curtain, swaying and fluttering softly in the breeze.
Yoga mats were neatly arranged in rows on a smoothly polished wooden floor, and DJ Kevin Rugamba had crafted a playlist specially tailored for the event. Rugamba, also known by his stage name (K’Ru), has come up with experiential music called the Breath mix series, soundtracks curated to promote wellness and immerse a mood that enables one to reflect and rejuvenate.
The yoga session began in stillness, the cold was curling around the open space as the participants put off their shawls and took to their mats. Soft instrumental music played in the background filling the silence without intruding.
The instructor’s voice rose over the music: “Let’s warm up from inside.”
Slow stretches began, followed by neck rolls, shoulder circles and deep breaths. The body resisted at first; stiff from the chill but as the flow deepened, warmth slowly returned. It was the same for everyone around as they began taking off their scarves, beanies and more.
After the women’s session, children took over the yoga mat space for a lighter, playful version of the exercise. Their laughter echoed through the space as they tried tree poses and downward stretches.
AFRO YOGA
The pace picked up with an Afro-yoga session, an energetic blend of traditional African rhythms and yoga movements that had everyone stretching and swaying in rhythm to the beat and the instructor’s hype.
It was equal parts wellness and celebration, the kind of session that loosens not just muscles but emotional tension. At the end of their session, the ladies were instructed to lay down, eyes closed and just breath as Caleb graced them with a calming and reviving tune while he played his saxophone.
As he played, everyone fell silent as they listened, their faces brightening every time he hit a low or high note; it was truly marvelous.
CREATING RHYTHM, RELEASING ENERGY
Participants were also invited to engage in music creation sessions, where they learned how to experiment with sound and instruments. It was a chance to create, express and collaborate in a safe space.
Despite being flanked by talented musicians such as Ruth Kamanzi and DJ K’Ru, we all brought our minds together to create a symphony of melodies that talk about wellness in a space of 45 minutes.
For most of us, the thought of making music looked alien, but we had to soldier on in a brainstorming session to make the song communicate wellness. Some vocally-gifted participants sung, others spoke the words of the song as they played the keyboard, drums and guitar, which created a musical symphony that calmed the nerves.
MORE THAN JUST AN EVENT
The Revive Wellness Clinic was not just a retreat—it was a reminder of the power of slowing down, of being present with one’s body and emotions.
Organized by Ruth Kamanzi and Dr Amanda Mbonye, a cardiologist and founder of Revive Wellness Clinic, the clinic aims to provide tools for holistic wellness, especially for women and children, who often shoulder the emotional weight of family and community.
“This is about promoting healthy living and healthy lifestyles through progressive forms of therapy that encourage young people to be more aware of their health and engage in activities that promote health as much as possible,” Dr Mbonye said.
“I have seen music as therapy in my own life and other people’s lives for a very long time. You turn on music when you’re sad, you turn on music when you’re happy, you turn on music when you want to dance, when you want to cry, but no one has really talked about it in that much depth.”
As the day progressed, we delved into a panel discussion about why music is therapy. Unlike the common panel discussion setting, here everybody was seated on a yoga mat. Music can mirror our emotions. Listening to sad songs can help people process grief or heartbreak.
“Music helps me feel things I can’t explain and it holds my feelings without judgement,” one participant noted.
Joshua, a music therapist, said he uses music to help patients with autism, patients with speech impairment helping them to meet their cognitive and social needs. Slow tempo music with gentle melodies has been shown to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure because it triggers the body’s relaxation response.
This is why it is used in meditation, yoga and even hospitals.
“Writing lyrics, composing melodies or just jamming with others allows people to express what they might have otherwise kept bottled up. It is a means of self-expression and identity,” Naitwa Evodius, a musician from Tanzania, said.
As evening approached, the sun peeked out from behind gray clouds, and the event transitioned into live music performances. From soulful acoustic sets to upbeat Afro-fusion, the performances reflected the spirit of the day: restorative, joyful, and deeply human.
Musicians played with such tenderness, coffee and wine were served and the air filled with the smell of lavender and fresh coffee. Some in the audience swayed, eyes closed, lips parted as if in prayer. By the end, a peace prevailed; the kind of peace that settles only after music, yoga, coffee and rain have done their magic.
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