Workshop Description:

Mindfulness practices like meditation and breathwork currently dominate the wellness industry and therapeutic practices. We know these practices are a way to slow the mind and body as a hope to increase the capacity for a calmer and more centered system. However, mindfulness, as it is currently taught and understood, is often attached to expectations of silence and stillness. Expectations that are difficult or even impossible for a neurodiverse individual or a traumatized body that needs different styles of engagement to feel calm and centered.

Additionally, mindfulness that only focuses on calming the nervous system down may neglect to increase the capacity to experience more joy, aliveness, and excitement within the body. By attaching stillness and silence as rules, and focusing solely on down-regulation, we end up neglecting practicing exploration, movement, and expression—all skills that help build a resilient, capable nervous system. This workshop will provide an overview of mindful play as a way towards nervous system regulation, stress relief, and joy cultivation. Participants will learn how to expand their therapeutic practices to integrate play and how play can help on their personal as well as their client’s mindfulness journey.

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Learning Objectives:

1. Educate on neurodiversity.

2. Introduce the concept of mindful play.

3. Educate about play within the nervous system.

4. Discuss inclusive and client-led mindfulness.

5. Help clinicians identify ways to integrate inclusivity and mindful play into practices.