What is Play and Why Does Play Matter? 

Play is essential for healthy human development throughout the lifespan. Within the practice of play, humans explore their limitations and capabilities, engage their imagination, sense of wonder, surprise, strength, grace, and joy. I believe that joy replenishment is equally as important as sleeping, bathing, and eating. Practicing play to replenish our joy is an experiential process where transformative learning can take place, which has the potential to foster broadened awareness of our physical, emotional, cognitive, intuitive, and imaginal intelligence. Play matters because it is a laboratory were we can realize our authentic self, experience joy, express our unique creativity in the world, and nurture our social connections.


The Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA

The Role of Play in Health Equity 

The Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA is kicking off our Health Equity Seminar series with the virtual movie premiere of PLAYING FOR KEEPS open to all University of California students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees from October 25 – 27, 2020. The Health Equity Seminar consists of the virtual movie premiere followed by a panel discussion around the role of play in health equity.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS examines the importance of play and downtime for all of us – children, adults, seniors and animals. It is a tapestry of interwoven characters that takes a look at the health benefits of the play state as well as its recent decline in our lives.


Elements & Properties of Play

Elements of Play

  1. Anticipation (Wonder, Imagination)

  2. Surprise (Discovery)

  3. Pleasure (Joy)

  4. Understanding (New Knowledge)

  5. Strength (Courage)

  6. Poise (Grace)

Properties of Play 

  1. Purposeless (Done for its own sake)

  2. Voluntary

  3. Inherent attraction

  4. Freedom from time

  5. Diminished consciousness of Self

  6. Improvisational potential

  7. Continuation desire

 


What is Body & Movement Play?

The power of play has the ability to bring us into a state of focus and relationship. The purpose of play is to seek out joy for the sake of joy. Play brings us into embodied movement meditation by evoking our basic affect of enjoyment-joy, which is inherently rewarding. Play promotes pro-social brains and social connections, fosters creative expression, and cultivates behavior promoting self-realization. Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of The National Institute for Play, states that "trust is established through play signals." Ultimately, body and movement play empowers us to be seen uniquely as we are in this world, builds trust between human beings, evokes our joy and sense of freedom, and builds more harmonious communities.

Are you practicing enough play in your life?


“YOU CAN DISCOVER MORE ABOUT A PERSON IN AN HOUR OF PLAY THAN IN A YEAR OF CONVERSATION”  
–PLATO


What is Hoop Dancing?

Hoop dancing is a form of body and movement play that for many, evokes joy and a sense of freedom. for The hula hoop is described as a prop or a toy that has been used for play and therapeutic purposes (Camp, 2013). Although the hoop is a simple plastic circle, designed for all ages and sizes, people who connect with it have shared how the hula hoop has opened their lives up to a sense of balance, deep healing, and well-being.

Believe it or not, hula hooping or hoop dance has existed for thousands of years. Hula hooping has even been documented as early as 1000 B. C. E., in ancient Egypt, where hoops were made from grape vines, and bent wood (Camp, 2013). In fact, the famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, who placed emphasis on using the healing power of nature as a therapeutic approach to treating disease, would even prescribe hoop rolling exercises for healing weak backs (Camp, 2013). Hoop dancing requires persistence, presence, a positive attitude, and an openness to physical and imaginative exploration, discovery, while embodying a feeling of release or "letting go". Many who have engaged in the art of hoop dancing have found that the space inside the hula hoop’s circle creates a tangible and visible boundary that provides and promotes a comforting sense of safety for creative self-expression.  Hoop dancing has been described as a powerful movement meditation body play practice that invites more joy in the lives of those who practice (Camp, 2013).  Hoop dancers often describe how hoop dancing facilitates a mindfulness presence where all planning ceases and the focus easily transitions into a powerful movement meditation.  


“TO DANCE, PUT YOUR HAND ON YOUR HEART AND LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF YOUR SOUL.” 
-EUGENE LOUIS FACCUITO

Founder of The National Institute for Play, Dr. Stuart Brown is a Psychiatrist, teacher, and the inspiration behind my soul work in the world.