Should we be playing as an adult? What good does it do? Isn't it just a waste of time? I bet you 'play' more than you think... At least I hope you do. :)
Should we be playing as an adult? What good does it do? Isn't it just a waste of time? I use the word play quite a bit when I am coaching, 2 different, yet the same, ways.
The most obvious way, is when I teach in playgrounds. Taking part in activities like 'Follow the Leader' where there are very few rules and no goal orientated outcome. We just move, explore, improvise, and find creativity of movement within the general space. Sounds like a easy thing to do... but what tends to happen? We look to each other for approval, we try to make the 'best' move we can. In general we overthink it.
What if we allowed failure? What if that didn't even exist? What if... and this is a big one... what if we were able to move and not feel judged or analyzed. Would we be more creative? Would we tune into to how we feel more closely?
This brings me to the second, and most used way that you'll hear me speak the word play. As a way to explore the movement you are doing. Whether it is a lunge, a tripod transition, or laying on the Critical Alignment Yoga Therapy strip. This exploring of the sensations of the body again without a set goal is part of play.
Interested in learning more? Huberman Lab posted a great podcast this week on the Power of Play. Explaining how beneficial play is in terms of re-wiring the brain.
There are many links that are listed on that page regarding how to learn more. Here are 3 of my favorites:
How playfulness improves patient outcomes. I'll be starting to add this into the Healthy Spines sessions!
Books by John J. Ratley. I now have my name on the list at the library for the top 2 books... I'll let you know how they are!
Personal Play Identity. Want to geek out a little? Even just reading the first couple of paragraphs will give you an idea of how beneficial play is and how we have barely scratched the surface of the potential of play.
Ok, so if you still think play is a waste of time...
Either way, join me online or in person for a class soon!
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