Do you marvel at children's ability to just be, spontaneously, themselves, running, dancing, skipping, making outrageous faces and sounds - without self-consciousness, without awareness of what's "socially appropriate?" Wouldn't it be delightful to be that free again, with other kids of all ages? Join us as we prove that the impossible is possible. Believe in wide-eyed innocence. Giggle till your sides ache from jiggling. Imagine laughing so hard your face hurts and you wet your pants.
Remember when it was so natural, so easy to be anything at all? Pretend you're a giant, a bird, a statue, a wizard, a mountain, a river, a puppy, a robot, a rainstorm. Make up a new language on the spot. Play invisible Frisbee. Cavort through Rowe's enchanted woods. Discover wildly exuberant natural highs to relieve stress and relax your body.
Simply put, play is our way of belonging, knowing that we are safe and loveable. Learn to put everyday life and the cares of the world into perspective - they're way overrated. We honor the truth that some people didn't have much of a childhood, because of their family circumstances. This playshop may feel scary to you, but there's truth in the adage "it's never too late to have a happy childhood." The child inside you wants to come out and play and we can help you open the door with our treasure chest full of expressive, inviting, happy experiences. We'll use creative movement, non-competitive games, music, relaxation, original play, and imagination to inspire feelings of joy, celebration, and aliveness.
Come alone and make new friends or bring friends and family with whom you'd love to play. Wear play clothes and bring a costume, or something else that's uniquely you, or vastly out of character. We see kids under six as teachers of us all, but not quite ready for this experience, and groan-ups over 106 might also want to consider whether they're ready to have this much fun. Life does have a few limits, but not nearly as many as we impose on ourselves. Come play with us!
Jeanne Bassis and Howard Moody are play-peer-pals who share a commitment to creating a more peaceful world through play. Jeanne has a master's degree in special education and started PlayReflections(SM) in 1987 after discovering the power of play to transform adults. She's worked in traditional and alternative settings with children of all ages and taught at Kripalu Center for 15 years. Her playshops reflect her philosophy that "life's adventures unfold magically when people feel good about themselves." Howard Moody loves play, which he believes is magic given by the universe so we can relate to all living beings. Hes created LifePlay, cofounded Adventure Game Theatre, and he's been on the core faculty of Omega Institute for 16 years. LifePlay is an educational and consulting firm specializing in unique, fun, and engaging presentations. Howard's Adventure Game Theatre, featured on PBS, creates incredible mythic experiences filled with action. Kids 6 or older are welcome at half your cost for the first, one-third for the second, and one-fourth for the rest. We hope you'll all join the fun.
"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than a year of conversation."
-Plato
"Play is when we don't know we are different from each other."
-David, aged five
"Ten minutes into Jeanne Bassis' workshop on play and creativity, professionals are gasping in hilarity, rubbery as a troupe of toy gumbys and giggling like three-year-olds."
-Boston Globe