Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/975060
MAY / JUNE 2018 33 We've dedicated this edition of WAC Magazine to helping you play more. That doesn't always mean running around on a field or court— though those things certainly count! Experi- encing the benefits of play can come from a carefree Fourth of July on the shore of Lake Union, painting with watercolors, or, for kids, attending summer camp. And that's just the start! See the Club Programs event listings, beginning on page 38. Don't be afraid TO PLAY A youthful smile spreads across Paul's face as he recalls his early days shooting hoops. "I had three older brothers, so I had to round out the team," he says. "Basketball has been with me since day one." Paul learned to play inside his family's barn in Monroe and took his love for the sport with him when he moved away. For Paul, it was never about using the sport to achieve an end goal. In fact, he passed on a basketball scholarship offer. "I didn't like to practice," he says. "I really just wanted to play. Basket- ball lets me blow off steam and relieve stress. I feel sharper when I play—physically and mentally." 'A PLAYGROUND FEEL' e mental acuity that accompanies exercise is a well-known benefit of physical fitness. e key to harnessing that brain- power is finding something fun you can do every day, or at least a few times a week. at's where play comes in. Evidence shows that when you do something you love for fitness, you're more likely to come back. Instead of working out because you feel obligated, find something active you enjoy. "Medicine balls, battle ropes, boxes, sleds, and cones are just a few things that can be incorporated into a workout to inspire a playground feel," says Women's & Coed Fitness Manager Maureen Eggers. "Two or more people can use these pieces in cooperation to add excitement and encourage harder effort." Darryl Edwards, author and founder of Primal Play, has dedicated an entire movement to these kinds of workouts. Burnt out by almost two decades in investment banking, Edwards decided to change his lifestyle and help others do the same—all with play. His methods include everything from jumping like a kangaroo to arm-wrestling while standing on one leg. Sound silly? at's the point. By asking adults (and chil- dren) to let go of their inhibitions and rediscover the joy of movement, Edwards has created a functional way to just have fun—something he considers deeply ingrained and needed in humankind. Gas Works Park 2101 N. Northlake Way; 4 miles from the Club Fly a kite on the aptly named Kite Hill. Gas Works is easily accessible via public transportation or a ride along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Bring a picnic and enjoy sweeping views of the Seattle skyline. Insider tip: Reserve a picnic table and grill through the city of Seattle website: wac.net/park-reservations. Get golfing Tournaments, twilight rounds, and privilege course access, all organized by the WAC Golf Club, make it simple for you to play. We set the tee times and foursomes; you show up to play! See pages 23 and 50.