Tao: the way, primordial essence, or fundamental nature of the Universe
Play: an activated natural state of connection, engagement, curiosity and wonder
We sometimes are led to believe that play is a lack of seriousness. That if we are “playing” then we are not doing what we’re supposed to be doing, or are not being productive. I propose something quite differently; that by denying our playful nature we end up being more rigid, controlling, and often feel stuck in situations where a little flexibility, creativity and humor could be extremely helpful. So why don’t we play more often? Many of us have deeply rooted, unconscious and destructive habits that get in the way. Many experts say that most of us have forgotten how to play by age six. “Forget” isn’t even the right word, because playing is not in the domain of knowing. Actually we must forget or release in order to play. It is only by releasing roles, fears of looking foolish, Ego, mores, doubt, and general tendencies of figure-it-out and be-in-control that we allow the natural state of play to emerge. A sense of play is not something we have or don’t have. It’s something we either feed or allow to starve and wither.
I know that there is a playful and creative artist inside of each and every one of us. We don’t need to add anything in order to let our artist out, as we can simply let go of what gets in the way by activating our natural sense of play. Play connects us with effortless creativity. As we play from a place of connection, curiosity, and focused exploration, we develop the quality of our play, rather than the quantity of our impulsiveness. We refine our play as we discover the joy of taking others in fully and in truly responding in an embodied, connected, and wondrous way.
The Tao of play is about facilitating the process of connecting with our internal aliveness and expressiveness and supporting it to come forward. It is a way of practicing feeding our playful tendencies and of getting out of the way of the natural act of play. As we create safe and inviting structures within which to play, we allow the qualities of playfulness to fill our bodies, seep into our minds, and affect our entire being.
Scores, which are a prescribed set of movement and interaction parameters, give us the focus and clarity we need in order to fully commit and discover what can emerge through us. Authenticity becomes your guide as you allow your heartfelt impulses to generate meaningful, silly, profound or evocative interactions with your playmates. As the work is about authenticity, the results are often beautiful, profound, and healing.
The best definition of acting I know of is that acting is being real in imaginary circumstances. We create our imaginary circumstances together through gentle acts of inviting our creative selves out to play. There is no need for your clever mind to prove anything, as you discover that all you need to do is commit, discover, let go, and play! This work can be challenging to our ego, as it clings to looking good, tries to get it right, and protects itself. It can also be effortless, as we simply connect to that tender authentic part inside of us and through movement, awareness, breath, sound, and words gently allow it to unfold in our presence.
In my classes my intent is to support everyone to participate in engaging our playful nature. Each class begins as a quiet, directed exploration, with an integrative healing aspect. As we connect to our creative selves we move into generating and creating art though connective and structured explorations of form, movement, juxtaposition, intensity, reflection, shape, our felt senses, and other focused awareness’s.
This work has had profound implications for my life, as it gives me a place and space to percolate all the energies that are inside of me in a way that integrates and expands me. As I am less bound by mental constructions of who I’m supposed to be, I feel the freedom to explore all that I can be in an authentic and liberating way. I am honored by all of the teachers I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow with and to hold space for this work to emerge through all of us. Building trust and community is a natural part of this “work”, and I invite you to discover the joy, creativity, connection and humor that is part of the natural essence of who you already are!
I know that there is a playful and creative artist inside of each and every one of us. We don’t need to add anything in order to let our artist out, as we can simply let go of what gets in the way by activating our natural sense of play. Play connects us with effortless creativity. As we play from a place of connection, curiosity, and focused exploration, we develop the quality of our play, rather than the quantity of our impulsiveness. We refine our play as we discover the joy of taking others in fully and in truly responding in an embodied, connected, and wondrous way.
The Tao of play is about facilitating the process of connecting with our internal aliveness and expressiveness and supporting it to come forward. It is a way of practicing feeding our playful tendencies and of getting out of the way of the natural act of play. As we create safe and inviting structures within which to play, we allow the qualities of playfulness to fill our bodies, seep into our minds, and affect our entire being.
Scores, which are a prescribed set of movement and interaction parameters, give us the focus and clarity we need in order to fully commit and discover what can emerge through us. Authenticity becomes your guide as you allow your heartfelt impulses to generate meaningful, silly, profound or evocative interactions with your playmates. As the work is about authenticity, the results are often beautiful, profound, and healing.
The best definition of acting I know of is that acting is being real in imaginary circumstances. We create our imaginary circumstances together through gentle acts of inviting our creative selves out to play. There is no need for your clever mind to prove anything, as you discover that all you need to do is commit, discover, let go, and play! This work can be challenging to our ego, as it clings to looking good, tries to get it right, and protects itself. It can also be effortless, as we simply connect to that tender authentic part inside of us and through movement, awareness, breath, sound, and words gently allow it to unfold in our presence.
In my classes my intent is to support everyone to participate in engaging our playful nature. Each class begins as a quiet, directed exploration, with an integrative healing aspect. As we connect to our creative selves we move into generating and creating art though connective and structured explorations of form, movement, juxtaposition, intensity, reflection, shape, our felt senses, and other focused awareness’s.
This work has had profound implications for my life, as it gives me a place and space to percolate all the energies that are inside of me in a way that integrates and expands me. As I am less bound by mental constructions of who I’m supposed to be, I feel the freedom to explore all that I can be in an authentic and liberating way. I am honored by all of the teachers I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow with and to hold space for this work to emerge through all of us. Building trust and community is a natural part of this “work”, and I invite you to discover the joy, creativity, connection and humor that is part of the natural essence of who you already are!
