If you\u2019re invited by a friend to come and do some work, you might pause before answering. Come over and play, however, is instantly more appealing. As a society obsessed with working hard \u2013 even the main words used for exercise are \u2018work out\u2019 \u2013 I think we\u2019ve missed a trick.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been teaching for a decade on the benefits of play \u2013 physical, but also mental and emotional too \u2013 and it\u2019s an extraordinary tool with amazing results. Here\u2019s a crazy cool quote for you:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes over\u00a0400<\/strong>\u00a0repetitions to create a synapse in the brain (true learning) without playful engagement OR about\u00a012<\/strong>\u00a0repetitions to create a synapse when play is used to teach.\u201d <\/em>Dr Karyn Purves, Texas Christian University<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve read that again, like me, you\u2019ll conclude that it makes total sense. We\u2019re mammals. All mammals play to practise what real life will become once they\u2019ve grown \u2013 finding food, hunting, avoiding predation, problem solving, social cues, risk assessment, social connection, physical strength, reactivity, dexterity and all other skills of survival. This needs to happen fast, so rather than sitting in rooms and being very serious about memorising information, our mammal friends use play to wire their learning and upgrade their function in all systems in record time.<\/p>\n So, elephant in the room time; like me, you may also be thinking, \u201cBut we don\u2019t do that stuff anymore!\u201d Correct! We don\u2019t live that life anymore and seemingly we don\u2019t engage in physical play as much, which as a parent sets off alarm bells for the development of my kids. Anyway, I\u2019m here to tell you that, not only is play essential <\/em>for human development, it\u2019s also unbelievably powerful at any age<\/em>. The benefits don\u2019t stop once you become an adult:<\/p>\n \u201cThe human animal is shaped by evolution to be the most flexible of all animals: as we play, we continue to change and adapt into old age.\u201d <\/em>Stuart Brown, PLAY 2009<\/p>\n I won\u2019t keep you waiting. Here are just some of the many benefits of physical play for adults:<\/p>\n Given this, why aren\u2019t we all playing every day, several times a day? Well, I think I have an answer. It\u2019s not perceived as quite as important or as credible as the \u2018serious business\u2019 of exercise. Seriously dude, that\u2019s not our role \u2013 anyone can play any time, so why would they use a trainer for it?<\/em> Indeed, why would they?<\/p>\n Some might also see play as socially uncomfortable or embarrassing. Workouts offer hard work, effort, sweat, grimacing and grunting. You can\u2019t laugh AND get fit for goodness\u2019 sake! Play can\u2019t possibly create more benefits than the exercise industry, can it? Can it? CAN IT?<\/em><\/p>\n Let me ask you this \u2026 Do you know any kids who have a lot of physical play in their life? You know \u2013 climbing, chasing, playfighting, digging, crawling, playparks, role play. How\u2019s their physical function? How do they move? How\u2019s their friendship group? How\u2019s their stress? I\u2019m guessing better than most adults.<\/p>\n So, how about we put our egos to one side and find ways to be playful? Tools like ViPR<\/a> naturally lend themselves to playfulness, encouraging \u2018free\u2019 movement. What I mean by this is multi-directional, multi-dimensional, multi-modality options. Here are a few examples but there are so many more!<\/p>\n Dexterity game<\/strong> \u2013 Let\u2019s see you flex with your whole body as you lightly play with all the ways you can grip ViPR. I just do a few, but it\u2019s so engaging and fun!<\/p>\nBut \u2026!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The good stuff<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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So, what\u2019s the problem?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Question for you<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Video time<\/strong><\/h3>\n