Aaron Cantor, a world traveler and seeker of enlightenment, discusses his body of work called 'primal practice' which focuses on stories, games, and practice as portals into deep encounters with the unknown. They explore the concept of infinite play and the importance of playfulness, outsourcing movement and sensory experiences, and living in the question while embracing the unknown. They also discuss their approach to movement, their fascination with writer Stephen Jenkinson, and the relationship between individualism and citizenship in dance.
Playfulness and embodiment are crucial for deep connections and skill development in movement practices.
Tailoring movement practices to individual needs and contexts promotes personal discovery and integration of remedial exercises.
Incorporating a playful mindset in navigating through life fosters creativity, adaptability, and cooperation.
Deep dives
Exploring the Value of Play and Embodiment
The podcast episode delves into the importance of play and embodiment in movement practices. The guest, Aaron Kantor, shares his belief that being playful and fully present in our bodies allows for deep connections and skill development. He discusses his approach of using games and interactive activities to create space for techniques to naturally emerge. Kantor emphasizes the idea of play as a way to nourish ourselves and be fully engaged in the present moment, rather than focusing on productivity or self-improvement. He also emphasizes the value of listening, deep perception, and creating a sense of intimacy and connection between participants in workshops. Kantor reflects on the challenge of balancing the business side of teaching with the authentic experience of play and embodiment, and expresses his desire to find ways to share his teachings in an interesting and authentic manner.
Using Play in Jujitsu and Collaborative Dance
Kantor shares how he incorporates playful principles into his personal practice. In jujitsu, he approaches the practice with a focus on helping his partner learn and grow, rather than striving for personal victories. He values the space in between techniques and tries to create an environment where both participants support each other's learning journey. Kantor also collaborates with dancers to explore movement through play and research. He emphasizes the use of games and interactive exercises to elicit natural technique development and encourages a mindset of listening and experimentation. Kantor describes his personal practice as a mix of playful movement exploration, static holds like horse stance, and finding ways to challenge himself and address his fears.
Creating Personalized and Contextualized Practices
Kantor highlights the importance of tailoring movement practices to individual needs and contexts. He shares how he structures his practice by following what feels good and exploring different ways of moving up and down, capitalizing on the feedback loop of free play. Kantor also experiments with visual anchor games, using one visual anchor while navigating space, and adapts his practice to incorporate weights or manual labor when needed. He emphasizes the value of playful and surprise-based approaches, where movement does not have to conform to specific shapes, positions, or movements, but rather focuses on personal discovery, addressing individual needs, and integrating remedial exercises into the practice.
The importance of play and the balance between being and becoming
The podcast episode discusses the significance of play as a form of contribution to the world and emphasizes the importance of incorporating playfulness into one's approach to life. The speaker mentions examples of individuals like Bruce Lee and Bill Murray who, in their own ways, embodied a playful mindset in navigating through the world. Moving beyond the dichotomy of being solely focused on physical strength, mobility, and techniques, the episode highlights the value of creativity, adaptability, and cooperation as essential components of a playful approach to life.
The role of improvisation and the need for improvisational education
The podcast explores the concept of improvisation and its significance in various practices like acting, yoga, dance, and jiu-jitsu. The speaker emphasizes the importance of fostering a more improvisational and playful approach to education. The episode suggests that improvisation allows for a sense of surprise, discovery, and endless possibilities. It advocates for an educational system that encourages play, improvisation, and exploration, where students are given good questions rather than fixed answers, creating a space for creativity, adaptability, and the development of a deep connection with oneself and others.
Aaron, 43, male. Son of Philip and Anne Cantor. Brother of Gabriel. Father of Bodhi and Jasper. Grew up in Japan and Brazil. Traveled the world pursuing enlightenment and self mastery. Yoga, meditation, martial arts, breathwork, bodywork, biohacking, dance, athletics...Got really good at somethings. Was really successful teaching somethings and that evolved over 20 years into a body of work I called "primal pratice"... not sure what to call it now. My focus currently is 1)stories (mythic) 2)games (embodied) 3) practice (enacted intention) as portals into deep encounters with the Great Unknown (life, the universe and everything). Seems to me that "Play" is what we become when we enter the portals. I'm amazed and grateful to be embodied and em-worlded here with you. If you are reading this, I prey we can play together someday.
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