Embodied play fighting: Brighton 2 dates

Brighton Extended Embodied Play-Fight

This workshop will offer you an opportunity to explore your body in connection with others. It is an event where you are invited to explore embodied connection and non-verbal communication through play. All physical abilities are welcomed as are all genders, sexualities and orientations.

Workshop information

Play fighting is all about connection to your own body and energies flowing through it first. Only from that space you can wrestle and play in a wholesome, connected, delicious way with other beings. What you discover in this kind of deeply embodied connection with others is likely to surprise you! Perhaps your body, and spirit, crave gentleness and flowing, perhaps there’s a lot of passion, fire and wildness yearning to be expressed. You might awaken your creativity or meet your inner child or feel silly and full of life!

You won’t know until you dive into it full in!

In the workshop, we will talk through and demonstrate safety aspects of play fighting, demonstrate techniques and go through a series of exercises to warm up and connect with others. Importantly, we will explore boundaries and consent, communicating them in both verbal and nonverbal ways.

Everyone who wants to, will have an opportunity to challenge another for a play fight in the circle. Typically, rounds last 2 minutes and can be include 2-4 people, depending on space and skill levels.

You are welcome to bring in all your energies - playful, silly, competitive, gentle, caring, soulful or in eros. 

Plan 

4:30 Arrival

5:00 Opening circle, body warm-up, stretches and connection games

5:45-6:30 play fight!

6:30-6:45 break

6:45-7:30 play fight!

7:30-9 open jam (play fight, cuddle, massage, play, socialise)

9-9:15 closing circle

9:30 end

Safety

This a summary of the safety protocol that we explain and practice each session prior to play-fighting. 

• Universal safety rules and call-outs when we see a safety breach:
• Neck: no choke-holds (even those that may be accepted in wrestling & martial arts). No interaction above the neck (general wrestling rules).
• Knee: always keeping one knee on the ground, to keep the centre of gravity low (avoids injuries to ankles).
• Space: Those sitting around the circle can call out when the sparring people come too close to them.
• Ways of checking-in or pausing a fight due to concern
• Check*: calling this is a reminder for the play-fighters to do a mental check-in, coming momentarily from body to mind to ensure they are comfortable with the situation. Can be used when a watcher has a general concern.
• Pause: Can be called by anyone for a concern about boundary violation or safety risk.
• Stop/Red: Can be called by anyone for a concern about boundary violation or safety risk.
• Double tap the floor: by a play fighter who is non-verbal.
• Energy regulation to prevent overwhelm or getting carried away with the excitement and adrenaline rush
• Self check-in during warmup, bringing awareness to your present energy levels.
• Opening ritual and communicating personal boundaries before the play fight.
• Closing ritual and co-regulation / down-regulation after the round.