On July 31, 2024, Mila Tina, co-founder of RitmoFit XP, partnered with OLA of Eastern Long Island (opens in a new tab) to lead a virtual BioRitmo workshop. Held through Facebook Live and Zoom, the session welcomed participants with no previous musical experience.
BioRitmo is a rhythm-and-learning workshop created by Mila Tina. It brings together rhythm, movement, coordination exercises and encouraging language. The workshop combined practical activities with an introduction to the science of learning, inviting participants to explore unfamiliar patterns and notice how they responded to a challenge.
Exploring rhythm through movement
Participants practiced exercises ranging from opening and closing their hands to moving their little fingers in and out while keeping time. A more challenging exercise involved alternating between a peace gesture and the “I love you” handshape in rhythm.
These activities asked participants to follow a sequence, coordinate their movements and adjust their timing. The emphasis was on exploration and practice, with room to make mistakes and try again.
Mila also introduced rhythmic patterns through spoken language, using the accents and timing of words as a way into musical phrasing.
Connecting practice with learning
The educational discussion included neuroplasticity, the nervous system’s capacity to change through experience, and neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons. These topics provided context for exploring the brain and learning.
The practical exercises focused on attention, coordination and rhythmic skills. Participants were encouraged to notice what felt unfamiliar, experiment with adjustments and approach difficulty with curiosity.
Another theme was maintaining an individual rhythmic part while remaining attentive to others. The ensemble offered a useful model: each person contributes something distinct while listening to the whole.
Participant reflections
Erika Vargas, from OLA, described feeling more comfortable as the workshop progressed and continuing the exercises afterward:
“As the workshop progressed, I started to feel more confident and at peace with myself. I find myself doing the exercises at any chance I get.”
She also reflected on how she approached the challenge:
“Ever since, I have started to look at challenges as opportunities to get stronger and be more resilient.”
Entrepreneur Darwin Verdugo highlighted the educational component and the use of language:
“Mila Tina’s workshop on world rhythms, neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis was fascinating.”
“I learned that rhythms are easier to learn through spoken language…”
These excerpts reflect participants’ individual experiences. Erika also expressed interest in a future in-person session.
Continuing the exploration
The collaboration with OLA offered an accessible introduction to Mila’s approach to rhythm education. Participants could try the exercises from home and return to them at their own pace.
For Mila, the workshop brought together musical practice and curiosity about how people learn, with an emphasis on participation, experimentation and the experience of working through something new.
Read Mila Tina’s full reflection on the workshop → (opens in a new tab)
This content is for general education and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional about activities appropriate to your health needs.