PLAY isn't Escapism❌--- it's Connection✅
How to get others to play.
What do firefighters, kids, martial artists, roofers, college athletes, and old ladies all have in common?
1.) we want to be social.
What i’ve noticed is that if I offer games for kids:
like a CHALK PARKOUR COURSE
—the parents love to talk about that with me.
They like to watch their kids play. And if I lead the way—sometimes they’ll jump in too!
2.) we like a challenge.
winning and losing. small prizes. bragging rights. but not too high stakes! if you pose a challenge that is interesting enough, there are going to be people that take you up on it.
my favorite at the farmer’s market so far is: KING OF THE ROPE.
3.) we want to do good.
Parents know it’s good for kids to play.
It might be a harder sell to convince the parents they should play more. Do they need to?
Do they need to — REALLY?
I know what play has given me, and what it could give to others, so i’ve been learning to make a good case for it.
4.) Here’s my pitch for PLAY, from experience:
You know how kids at their best:
a.) have limitless energy
(if I asked my adult class to do the kids jiujitsu warmup they’d think I was punishing them)
b.) physically resilient
(their limbs basically grow back lol. They tumble around the room like they’re made of rubber.)
c.) fearless & unselfconscious socially
(they will dance openly or speak the truth in a way that is beyond reproach)
5.) WE CAN GET SOME OF THAT BACK. MAYBE MORE THAN YOU THINK.
a.) Conditioned.
b.) Strong.
c.) Fearless.
we just need to expose ourselves to the variation and adaptation of playing in the environment that kids don’t have to think about . One step at a time.
6.) there is a method:
I’ve been saying this,
play is like a martial art.
It’s a new way of seeing and being in the world.
And
lays it out nicely as the 5 pillars of human reconnection.We have a fancy graphic:
7. if you want recover this powerful mode of play, I can help!
My three step plan:
1.) Start with the ground.
2.) Learn the Pillars.
3.) Make it your own.
Reply to this email or comment with “PLAY” and i’ll send you the 1st step!
or, describe more specifically how I can help.
be blessed!
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PLAY! We all need more of it. Intrigued to hear your approach