Play: Kids do it naturally.
Learning, rehearsing, trying things out. It is not messing about or leisure, it is developmental. But we stop doing it (many of us anyway). As we grow society tells us that play is for little kids. When we go to school our days are increasingly regimented into sitting and learning what we are told. We are told that we need to sit and listen to succeed in the world, but we aren't given a choice (unless we are really disruptive!).
The current model of success means getting a job. That's it, there aren't other options. When my daughter was 10 I got a parents' survey from her school in which one of the questions was something like "are we doing enough to prepare your child for the world of work?" I was outraged. I ignored the 1 to 5 scale of agreement and replied tersely that I hoped not at all, because she'd have plenty of time for that when she was older.
So, in our society the rot seems to set in early. But I'm excited and optimistic now, as it seems that the importance of play is finally being recognised, even if only in a niche part of the fitness world. Among the functional and natural movement experts the role of play as purposive, self-motivating, sometimes socially oriented and deliberative practice is now increasingly being recognised and factored into programming. But its not hard to do with a little imagination.
When I say "play" I'm not talking about organised sports, following rules and standards for performance and entering competitions to prove mastery. I'm taking about taking opportunities to do things because they are fun in and of themselves. Play is important on occasion as it allows expression and development of skill, often in complex settings and typically with goals and purpose, even if only loosely so.
Play can be very, serious, though. Airsoft and paintballing, for example are about playing or simulating tactical warfare, though with a significantly reduced risk of death. The 'games' and the reality both involve strategy, planning and movement - all components of physical and mental play.
Play in a fitness context takes training into flexible and fun, but purpose-focused activity. I recently met up with some friends for a Sunday walk and picnic on Hampstead Heath. The picnic just happened to be in the sun, next to a great climbing tree. So for around three hours we chatted, climbed the tree, jumped from branch to branch, as well as scampering around on all fours and practicing precision jumps on some nearby steps or forward rolls. We were messing about, there was no pressure, no competitive challenges, just time to scramble around and do what you wanted.
If you find yourself struggling to motivate yourself to do another strength or conditioning workout then a playful training session may be the ideal antidote. You can make it as easy or hard as you want and can mix it up in any way you want. Nearly anything active can count if your goals are learning, development, fitness and skill. Play is flexible practice.
Movement is essential and fundamental to human life and this can be seen in the fact that sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower cognitive skills. Its a true story, I know because I read it in a book ;-)
Last week I joined a gymnastics club and learned how to cartwheel. Not sure what functional purpose that might have, but it was a hell of a lot of fun, and that's what I'm talking about.
