Practice is a Playground & 12 Play Stations
I was walking by a playground a few years ago... back in the day when their were children playing in the school play grounds...
I noticed how the elementary school children were all playing games... in groups (with a few all by them self too), playing different roles, with unique games and rules to their games.
This scene reminded me of how good it is to think of our Practice as more of the Play that is can be...
So I was curious about this, and wrote down all the ways I saw them playing and how we all practice...
And, came up with Practice as a Playground, that we can take on the roles, and play a practice game in each of these Play Stations.
We each have a place of comfort that we tend to play in... What is your play station- practice playground?
How about stepping into some new playgrounds of practice?
Here are 12 Play Stations to be Curious about and Consider for your Playful Practice. Free PDF
1. Dreamers
Dream, wander, wonder, and sit quietly.
Actively use and engage their imagination.
Have a vibrant inner world and may be introverted.
Reflect and review their life and life…
Journal about what they are thinking, feeling, learning and dreaming about.
Listen inside, to hear and know them self.
Enjoy the Silence.
May Meditate.
Play is
Solo and alone, even if in a group.
2. Movers
Are in their body and move to express them self.
They feel the rhythm and pulse of life in their bodies.
Move to the music they are practicing, while playing or listening to it.
Free movement, Improvisation.
Dance & Choreograph the music.
Use a ball, trampoline, or?
Practice Yoga, Dalcroze, Alexander, Tai Chi, swim, run… and other forms of movement.
Play can be
solo or in
groups.
3. Breathers
Are aware of and play with how thier breath moves.
Ideas they play with and practice are:
Observing their breath, in & out, receive & give…
Yoga Breathing
See my article The Play of Breath.
Emotional effect on breathing.
Flute breathing.
May use:
Breathing Bags
Breathing Tubes
Other breathing devices.
Straws
Paper on the Wall
Play can be
solo or in
groups.
4. Challengers
Make up games and play that challenges themselves and others. Create competition.
(competition= to seek together)
Challenge themselves to attain their personal best and highest goals.
Musical Challenges could be:
the fastest most virtuosic scales and musical patterns, the longest most beautiful note,
learning the most difficult Etudes.
Competes in Competitions.
Takes Auditions.
Play is with others.
5. Sounders
Are curios and freely make
ALL KINDS of SOUNDS!
On their Flute:
Experiments with any and all kinds of sounds that are free and improvisatory.
Flute and Voice:
Use their flute and their voice to create sound and vocal effects.
With their Voice:
Vocalize any phrase or music they are playing/practicing.
Sings the music they are playing, practicing.
Freely express them self using voice and flute.
Play is both alone and in groups.
6. Creators