Training is a systematic approach to reach a specific goal. These are focused activities that are designed to develop things like strength, endurance, or technical abilities. But there is more to movement than exercise!
Exploration and play refer to the more spontaneous and less structured aspects of physical practice.
These are the moments when you're not necessarily following a specific plan or program, but instead are simply moving and experimenting in ways that feel fun and engaging.
To me, a Movement Practice is not just about physical progress; it’s about connecting with the world around you and embracing the present moment. Whether it's the exhilaration of a new challenge, the freedom of unstructured play, or the mindfulness that comes from feeling each movement. Experiencing life through movement allows you to engage with your surroundings, emotions, and your own inner self in profound ways.
Further, exploration and play are actually essential for skill development too. One way to think about the relationship between training, exploration, and play is to see them as complementary aspects of a holistic approach to your physical development. While training provides a solid foundation of technical skill and physical capacity, exploration and play allow you to test and apply those skills in new and varied contexts.
For example, a rock climber might spend a lot of time training in a gym or on specific routes to build strength and technique. But to truly become a skilled and versatile climber, they also need to spend time exploring different types of rock and terrain, playing with different movement patterns or tasks, and adapting to unexpected challenges.
