Feeling Stressed? Why Adding Play to Your Yoga May Help

What do you think of when you hear the word play? Does it sound childish or alien or something you “did when you were younger”? Whilst sometimes associated with something for kids, play actually has huge benefits for adults. 

What is play? 

If you are doing an activity that you engaged with and enjoying, then you may very well find that you are in play mode. Play needs your focus and attention. Done right, you will find that you are totally immersed in the moment. But truly, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way. 

Play looks different from person to person, whilst someone may like playing an instrument, for another that just sounds like hard work! 

If an activity is too difficult you won’t enjoy it. Too easy, and the mind can become distracted. What’s important is to find an activity that offers the perfect blend of ease and challenge for you. 

Okay, I get that? But I’m too old (swap in: busy/ serious/ stressed!) to play 

The benefits of play for adults include stress reduction, thanks to the release of endorphins (happy hormones!). It can also keep your brain active, as solving puzzles can help you get more innovative. If you have been stuck working on a particular challenge, leaving it to do something playful can often unlock a creative or unexpected solution! 

So how can you add play to yoga? 🧘🏻‍♀️🤪

Firstly, some poses in yoga naturally lend themselves to being playful. Any poses that allow you to sway from side to side, like Happy Baby, Rag Doll or Tree pose with arms in the air, can be playful. You may need to focus on your balance and you may also surprise yourself with what you can do. 

During Cat & Cow, if a teacher says to move in any way that feels right for you, take that as your permission to play! Instead of worrying about what your poses look like, reframe your thoughts and get curious. Try focusing on how one movement feels in, say, your shoulders, compared to another. 

If you are advanced in your yoga, you may find that playing with challenging poses, and importantly allowing yourself to fail, could be fun! What happens when you remove any expectations and you observe and play? 

🫶🦸

Remember, that play needs both focus and enjoyment. Have fun playing with play in your next yoga class!