Just returned from the East Coast debut of Exuberant Animal, a rousing event held at the Gerstung training facility in Baltimore, Maryland. We had a fabulous weekend of robust fitness play and presentation, laughter and community. We discussed the state of the human body, the foundations of functional fitness and the influence of culture in matters of health. This event laid the groundwork for more events going forward into 2010. (Specific dates and locations coming soon!)
Many thanks to our Exuberant Animal trainers: Dr. Kwame Brown, Josh Leeger and Sebastien Alary. These trainers epitomize the primal, practical and playful ideals of Exuberant Animal.
Special thanks to our hosts, Siegfried Gerstung and Kimberly Mackin. These people are doing great work in the field of movement education.
If you attended the event, use the comments field below to share your thoughts and reflections!
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Yoish!
Welcome home.
mick
It was totally awesome! Thanks Frank!
As a first timer to an event and a follower of EA for about 3 years this is one experience I am still synthesizing. Aside of the learn, and meeting a new tribe, and being with like-minded folks my whole body feels quite revitalized. Sure on Sat/Sun I knew I was having a great movement in play & learn; however, returning to my ‘regular life’ seems like a new notch has been carved. Refreshed. Exhilarated. Even more passionate. And the thread of knowing that conventional fitness is not me and does not belong in my studio has been sewn even deeper.
I am standing beside everything that Exuberant Animal has to offer and count me in for all future EA growth. We are cultural creatives in movement and the world for sure needs to know!
Thank you Frank and everyone who is a part of this movement!
What an amazing weekend! I can’t stop talking about it. I’m still feeling energized & inspired. Like Lisa so beautifully said “returning to ‘regular life’ seems like a new notch has been carved.” I’ve been friendlier to everyone I meet, and as a result have met friendlier people. I’ve been so much relaxed about fast paced northeast living. It’s so amazing to me how profound play and the connection play creates with others can be on every single aspect of life. It’s incredible. And, sad that we have, as a culture, gotten so far away from the ‘tribe’, and pushed away play as childish. I can’t wait to share the ideals of EA with my family, friends, the world.
Wow. Greetings to all my new tribe-mates. This playful and powerful weekend offered me almost all of my favorite things: curious, creative people, “cooperative contests” with strong and willing partners, fresh ideas and insights, fresh air and a sense of exploration and adventure, fun games, healthy food (my “fun-sized” Snickers bars notwithstanding), new friends, and new insights into my own 53-year (so far) movement journey. As a result of the weekend, I’ve already read Spark, read the MovNat website, and exuberantly told many people about Exuberant Animal, including two neighbors who, early one morning, noticed me out walking… by balancing entirely on the curbs, not the street or sidewalk. Very inspiring. Can’t wait for the next one!
Hello tribe-mates! Gearing up for my CPT exam has been a daunting task for me… until this past weekend. I’ve never been able to see myself going to a gym every day to meet clients and put them through the paces of a “traditional” work out. Attending the EA East Coast Jam provided me with one of the best “ah ha” moments I’ve had in a long time. I’ve finally found a form of exercise I can actually see myself wanting to teach. Everything about Exuberant Animal speaks to the holistic voice inside me. It feels right. It makes sense. And, above all, after attending the weekend jam and going through this experience with a “tribe” of others, I feel connected to it. Can’t wait for future events!
I found my tribe! Which says a lot since I found it 8,000 miles from my birth place!
I came back from this event and without a thought, I sat tall, strong (and posturally correct) at my desk all Monday morning. I was stunned. It was no effort – it just happened… conventional fitness has never done that for me.
I can’t wait to “come out and play” again.
There’s not much to add to what’s already been said. What an AMAZING weekend. You can read the book (Play As If…), but you’ve just got to experience the work physically. There’s no substitute for getting out and playing, laughing and interacting. I learned more than I had expected to learn. Carrie and I have already gotten together to do a short form in my backyard; even the stares of the neighbors couldn’t stop us!