Exuberant Animal Weekend

I’m a little off my self-appointed posting schedule this week.  I was going to make a blithe comment about how taking 6 classes this quarter may not have been the best idea, but this afternoon I spoke with one friend who is taking 8 classes and another who worked until midnight, then went to law school from 8:45 AM to 9:00 PM.  Suddenly my “busy” schedule looks like a joke!

I just returned from spending a few days in Seattle for a big Exuberant Animal strategy summit.  It was an amazing weekend – a big thanks to Frank for putting it all together.  In all, about 25 people were in attendance and I can safely say that they are 25 of the best people one could ever hope to be with.  I was particularly honored to meet Mick Dodge, known as the Barefoot Sensei.  He is a pretty amazing guy.

NOTE:  I’ve redone my links to connect you with the Exuberant Network.

There were a few elements of the weekend that stood out for me:

Freeway Park: serious fun

Play:

Top billing must be given to Freeway Park, which is widely known in the parkour community as a grueling proving ground.  It lives up to the reputation.  Kwame, Skye and I braved the narrow walls and steep drops on Saturday morning.  I could spend years there and still find new challenges.

Later on Saturday the weather cleared up and the entire EA group took advantage of the sun for a challenging play session on an old Navy base.  Obstacles were vaulted, Charlie and I ran up a wall, and Josh showed his box-jumping skills.  Special thanks to Seby Alary for putting us through some deviously challenging exercises, including a new favorite “Alpine Rescue” (you’ll have to come out and train with me to see what it’s about!)

Kong vault over concrete block.

Community:

These are amazing people.  Any description I give, no matter how long, cannot do justice to how much spending time with them means to me.  Instead, let me say that even if drum jams, sharing great food, and group exercise aren’t your thing, I still strongly encourage you to find a tribe you enjoy being with and to spend time with them.  Too often, we consign ourselves to forced isolation with punishing schedules and layers of chronic stress.  We humans are social apes and at a primal level we still need to be part of a troupe.  The simplest way I can describe it is this:  I had never been to Seattle before, but I felt like I was home.

Does your organization do pick-up drum jams? Why not?

 Exuberant Animal in 2010:

The big meeting itself was very exciting.  Exuberant Animal is poised to have an amazing year of growth and development and we’ve got a great team of people working to ensure it flowers into something incredible.  There will be opportunities for everyone to participate in the community – some details can be found here.  I’ll be providing regular updates as plans unfold.

All in all, it was quite a trip.

Comments

[Josh]

What fun we had!