Why play?

Why play?

Learning to play again was a pivotal moment in my life. And it came from mindful movement.

My life as an instructor and coach has never been the same since I learned how to play again in my 50s. I remember the workshop in “Floor Play” with the Co-Founder of Nia, Carlos Rosas, so clearly I think it’s imprinted into my being. Also in his 50s at that time, Carlos was romping through the carpeted conference room, cavorting, dive rolling, with complete abandon, just like the proverbial “barrel of monkeys”.

His playfulness was so contagious, I found myself spinning on my back, clicking my heels in the air, and doing back rolls over my shoulder. I was frolicking on the carpet in ways I might never have done before, even as a kid!  

Something about that experience of play opened the floodgates of movement creativity for me. After that, I started coming up with imaginative ways of cueing moves that I had never had before.

Instead of cueing my movers to squat down, keeping your back upright, I found myself calling out: “Drop your tail, everybody!” Here are a bunch of creative cues that SOMEBODY invented in moments of playful spontaneity:

In core exercise class - Lie on stomach, lifting both hands and feet off the floor: “Superman!”

In basketball - Push and release the ball up and over the rim: “Goose neck it!”

In PE warm-ups - Hold your arms straight out in front of you and kick your toes up to touch your hands: “Frankensteins!”

In yoga - Forward-fold with knees bent, slide your palms under the soles of your feet, bending your elbows: “Gorilla Pose!”

Wouldn’t it be fun to find yourself coming up with snappy, new cues like that on the spot? Start playing again, and I bet it will brighten up your coaching/teaching!

Moving mindfully with you,

Renée Tillotson