To Feel the VIBRANCY OF BEING
the vision
We support individuals in reestablishing connection and rootedness in body, community, and the natural world. Embracing play-based education, we recognise its power to transform how people live in the world. Our approach integrates elements of natural parkour, tree climbing, and explorations inspired by dance, improvisation, and martial arts. We lead students on immersive journeys through awe-inspiring landscapes, guiding them across canyons, waterfalls, sea cliffs, ancient forests and mountains. Through these experiences, we nurture empowerment and acknowledge the importance of a healthy relationship with nature.
the why
Our approach addresses the pressing need to reconnect individuals with nature in an increasingly disconnected and urbanized society. Through experiential learning and movement-based exploration, we equip people with the tools to become more engaged with the world. This not only promotes physical and mental wellbeing, but also cultivates a sense of environmental responsibility.
The Roots
As human beings, we hold incredible capacity for profound change. This can be greatly enhanced when we are rooted in ourselves, a sense of community and the place in which we live. We see that without these roots, our capacity for change is hindered. Our mission is to show humans a way into rootedness.
Curious Queries
What Are the practices?
In a Roots of Play workshop participants will be held through four types of exploration.
Body integrity - how can we care for and look after our body? How can we do this in a way that promotes longevity? We aim to do this while finding the beauty in ourselves and the self exploration available to us, understanding our body is our vessel to experience universes of sensations. Here we focus on the structural realms of our own body and keep them in good health.
Body to body - How can we move through, around, over and under other humans? Exploring the physical dialogues that are created when we move with partners or groups. The practices are inspired by dance, martial arts, and rough and tumble activities. These are based around moving with a partner or a group of people.
Body to environment - How does it feel to really feel a part of the spaces we move in and through? Here we will explore our surroundings utilising methods of nature-based parkour, tree climbing, cliff jumping, introductory acrobatic and macrobatic conditioning as well as bipedal, quadrupedal locomotion and coordination work.
Body to Object - We would be a long way off of where we are currently as a civilization without the use of objects and tools. We rely greatly on the things we use with our hands. How can we learn to play with these things? Here we will be exploring uses of staffs, balls, lengths of rope, sticks and stones to see what creative magic can occur through the power of play.
do i have to be strong?
We take a ‘challenge by choice’ approach, meaning participants can interact with the activity as little or as much as they like. All movement can be progressed or regressed in accordance with abilities in order to make activities more inviting and accessible.
We have worked with a wide range of people of all shapes and sizes. What we had observed is that the people that have come from previous movement practices have been able to dive into the new movement vocabulary with more ease.
However, the people who have attended with no prior experience of movement practices often have the most inspired experiences and integrate the practices a lot deeper.
What if i cannot afford a course but really want to attend?
There is a lot of work effort and research that goes into these events and we price them fairly because of this. However, we are aware that it may not be affordable for all. We also wish for everybody that has a desire to experience a Roots of Play event is able to!
When contacting us about booking an event, ask about our ‘low income discount’ and we can discuss your price individually.
How do i get involved?
If you are wanting to come and join us and start the process of celebration in motion.
Please call or text us on -
+44 7872066021
+44 7502179493
Email us at -
rootsofplay@gmail.com
Please state the event you would like to book.
Your name and number.
Some information about your movement background.
We will then be in touch very soon!
“Thank you to the roots of play team for their hard work, honesty, embrace and energy.
Their love for tree climbing is infectious and it spread throughout the group, inspiring us to rise above and face fears, reach new heights and commit to the unknown.”
— Jonathan Hunter, retreat participant