Another real thing that actually happened
Colin Pistell Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 2:16PM We've been deluged by rain for the past few days and we're set for another couple days of precipitation, so when the sun came out a few hours ago I took the opportunity to strap on my shoes and get outside.
The past two weeks have been a nice change of pace. UNC has let out for the summer and there are significantly fewer people on campus - which means I have my run of the place and can be more open with my PK training. I was in one of the main courtyards working on a precision jump when a young woman approached me.
"Hi," she said.
"Hello," I replied.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to jump from this ledge down onto the edge of that planter."
"May I ask why?"
"Um... to see if I can."
"Is it, like, for Track or something?"
"No, just for me."
At this point she wished me luck, backed away slowly, and left.
She was very nice and polite and seemed genuinely interested. I've had a few other people tell me, with varying degrees of politeness, that if I wanted to "jump around" I should go to a gym. I was particularly amused today when I bailed on a lache attempt and dropped onto the ground in front of a very proper looking lady who employed the toddler-logic of "if I can't see him, he can't see me" and hurried away, neck cranked awkwardly, looking determinedly in the opposite direction, before I could say "excuse me."
When did Play become something that was deviant? Something that required explanation? There's no arguing its importance - anyone who has bothered to look into Play has come away as a strong advocate. I'll skip writing a lot of text and let you listen to Stuart Brown at TED:
As he says, not too bad.
We need to play - and I'd argue that a big chunk of that play should be physical. Once you try to contain it or put it in a box, play ceases to be play. Movement becomes "exercise." What should be open exploration becomes "working out." And who loves to work out? Not me. Not a lot of people, judging by public health trends in this country and the prodigious membership drop rates of big-box gyms.
To those who argue that adult life is too full of responsibility for play, I would ask what value they place on creativity. I'm sure most would say it's nice, but won't necessarily put food on the table. I'd then ask how they valued innovation. Business regards innovation as literally priceless - they increasingly need it to survive, but have no idea how to calculate its value. Well, creativity and innovation are alternate names for Play - the exploration of the possible. I firmly believe that everything is trainable, including innovation. Give yourself time to explore the possible, challenge your body and your brain with new tasks and obstacles, and you will reap tremendous rewards.
If that means being deviant, then so be it. To paraphrase Dean Ornish, do you really want to be considered normal in a society where "'normal' health care is cutting someone's heart out of his chest to monkey with it, but 'radical' health care is telling him to change his diet and move more?"
I don't.
Future problem solvers
Reader Comments (3)
Great post, Colin, and all valid points.
Having been born and raised in Northern VA, and lived in San Francisco for the past 3 years, I can tell you that a lot of what you're experiencing is "concentrated" in East Coast values. Not that it doesn't happen here, but the amount that it does, and the degree to which it does, seems inverted to the amt/degree on the East Coast.
I take that as proof that people can grow to understand, accept, and embrace play and playful attitudes toward life. If it's possible for one group of people, it's possible for any group of people.
Be playful with the way you approach this "problem." Try to understand their views, and engage them on their level first, then play with that engagement...if you want some unsolicited advice, that is...hahaha...
Have fun man, see you soon!
Hey. Just came across your site. Parkour has always intrigued me since I heard of it when i started doing CrossFit. Can't say I'm surprised at people's reactions though - anything that is exercise related that isn't hard or machine based or sold on TV get skepticism.
I'm moving my affiliate to Hillsborough Rd on June 14, check it out if you like!
I look forward to reading more of your site.
Matt
21 fitness
CrossFit Orange
Hey Matt,
Thanks for the note - keep in touch!