Get ready for an intensely meaningful, enjoyable and memorable experience.

Ideal for teachers, trainers, coaches and health professionals, this experience is designed to help you assume a leadership role, not just in matters of individual health and performance, but socially and culturally as well. This experience will prepare you to work in a larger arena, to engage with diverse groups and to show your students and clients how they can make a difference.

Here’s what you need to know…

Dates:

Proposed: September 28-30, 2023

3 days formal training, with informal gatherings 1 day before and after.

With travel, assume 5-6 days total time commitment

Location:

Isle of Man

The rhythm:

Workshop experience is based on a simple rhythm of content and experience. In general, we alternate movement, meditation, presentation and food/social time. This will keep us engaged, and our energy levels high. This is a proven method for experiential education.

Daily schedule:

9 am: Start training (on time)

1 - 2 pm: Lunch

2 pm-6 pm: Afternoon session

Travel to Isle of Man

Dojo rules:

Our experience will be focused and serious, but also playful. To support this experience, we follow “dojo rules,” a simple set of expectations for participation and behavior. In short:

• Respect for people, process and place.

• Full end-to-end participation. No late arrivals or early departures are permitted.

• Everyone works with everyone. (Try to engage with as many people as possible.)

• Empty cup: come ready to learn.

• Minimal talking, especially during teacher presentations.

• On-time behavior: when returning from lunch or breaks, be on time and ready to go.

Electronic devices:

Electronic devices (phones and laptops) are not permitted during training. If you wish to take notes during presentations, use a small notebook and a pen. You may check your phone during breaks or lunch periods, but keep it as brief as possible.

Physicality:

The physical games will vigorous. You’ll be expected to try your best. (It’s a good idea to get in shape before the workshop.)

You’re also encouraged to pay attention to your experience and modify your movements and engagement as necessary. It’s your body and your physical education. If a movement hurts or is giving you trouble, try an adjustment or a variation. If that doesn’t work, you can sit out. Take care of your body.

Likewise, be sure to communicate with your training partners. If you need your partner to adjust a movement, say so. For example, “Give me more of this…” “Give me less of this…”

Peaks and valleys:

Our physical intensity will rise and fall throughout the workshop. Each morning will be a peak effort: we’ll start our day with focus and intensity–a real martial art class with high engagement. Be ready to push. Then, as the day unfolds, we’ll gradually ease off into easier, less robust movement, with occasional bursts of med ball training and vigorous partner-resist movements.

Martial art:

Some of our games and movements will be based on martial art (aikido and karate). We’ll be punching, kicking and working hands-on with other bodies. It’s all good fun and it’ll teach some valuable lessons about focus and whole-body integration. Also, we’ll be using the kiai or shout. This will be unfamiliar to many, but it’s an exciting and powerful way to engage the body. Don’t be shy when the time comes. When your teacher calls for a kiai, let it out!

Cherry-picking and credit:

The objective of this workshop is to give you ideas and content that you can take home and use in your personal and professional practices. In other words, you’re encouraged to take this material and use it. However, please give credit where due. When going out in the world, be sure to tell people where you picked up your ideas and moves, either from Exuberant Animal, or from others that will be referenced in presentations.

Food and water:

We’ll be burning a lot of energy during our movement sessions and you’ll be getting hungry. But eating is not permitted during training or presentations. (Drinking water is OK.) We’ll be sure to include plenty of breaks for food, so don’t worry. Bring your own snacks as desired.