At How to Play in the Dark, “play” is a transformative experience that invites you to meet the moment with curiosity, presence, and openness. It's not just about fun—it's about reconnecting with your aliveness, your imagination, and your deeper self.

We define PLAY as:
Presence. Love. Action. Yay.

When you approach life with loving presence, take inspired action, and celebrate along the way, you’re stepping into the realm of play. It’s where creativity flows freely, old patterns can shift, and new possibilities unfold.

Play can look like: Imagination. Innovation. Freedom. Movement. Confidence. Expression. Curiosity. Connection. Humor. Embodiment. Adventure. Trust. Spontaneity. Vulnerability. Laughter. Lightness. Surprise. Wonder. Choice. Surrender. Exploration. And so much more.

Play gives you permission to be fully human. It invites you to stretch, explore, and shift—without judgment. When we engage with life playfully, we open the door to healing, transformation, and powerful change.

The “dark” isn’t something to fix or fear.

At How to Play in the Dark, the dark is the sacred terrain of transformation. It’s where truth lives—raw, tender, sacred, and often uncomfortable.

The dark holds: Grief. Shame. Fear. Rage. Anxiety. Overwhelm. Vulnerability. Depression. Emptiness. Loneliness. Blocks. Struggles. Endings. Contraction. Confusion. Wounds. Shadow. The unconscious. The unknown. The unseen. The sacred. The feminine. The mystery. The truth. And so much more.

These are the parts we’re often taught to hide. But in the dark, there’s also depth, meaning, and immense creative potential. It’s the compost—the fertile ground where insight and healing emerge.

When we learn to play in the dark, we stop resisting what is. We meet ourselves fully and open to what’s waiting beneath the surface.

Not usually—but we could!

The word “dark” here is metaphorical. It refers to the internal experience of not knowing, feeling lost, or moving through challenge. Sometimes we’re “in the dark” about ourselves or what’s next. That’s what we explore.

That said, if turning off the lights or blindfolding supports the work, we might go there. It’s always invitational, never performative.

Play isn’t just a break from the serious stuff—it’s a way through it.

Research shows that play:

• Boosts problem-solving ability by 43% (University of California, 2013)

• Enhances adaptability up to 60% (National Institute for Play)

• Lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and raises serotonin (mood regulator)

Play helps us try on new roles and possibilities in a low-stakes, creative space. It activates the brain’s neuroplasticity—meaning it rewires us toward more openness, resilience, and innovation. When we give ourselves permission to play, we create space for creativity, problem-solving, and connection—essential ingredients for both personal and collective transformation.

It also helps us regulate our nervous systems and show up more fully in life.

So the next time you're stuck, overwhelmed, or spinning—play might just be the bridge back to yourself.

That’s a powerful and important question.

Safety and agency are at the core of How to Play in the Dark. You're never expected to push past your limits. Your "no" is always honored—seen not as a disruption, but as a gift. There is no such thing as "ruining the mood" when you're being true to yourself. 

We begin each group with co-created “Rules of the Playground”—shared agreements rooted in consent, nervous system awareness, and collective care. You'll learn how to discern between a growth edge and a trauma response, and how to trust your body’s signals.

We use simple check-ins throughout each experience to help everyone stay present and attuned. If something feels off, you’ll have tools and support to name it.

You will never be thrown into the deep end. Every invitation is just that—an invitation. You get to choose your pace. And you're guided by facilitators who can hold complexity, sensitivity, and emotion with presence and care.

This space is designed to welcome your full self—and that includes your boundaries.

Each group is a living, breathing, creative collaboration—shaped in the moment by the people in the space. Nothing is pre-scripted. It is emergent. We follow what’s alive and let the group’s energy, imagination, and expressiveness lead.

While the possibilities are endless, some modalities that have emerged in previous groups include:

• Ritual theater and psychodrama

• Embodied movement, intentional touch, and somatic practices

• Parts work (like IFS) and gestalt dialogue

• Grief rituals, breathwork, emotional release

• Storytelling, improvisation, dance, visual art, song

• Rage practices, sacred silliness, and quiet witnessing

Some moments are big, bold, and liberating. Others are subtle, slow, tender, and deeply grounding. There’s no right way to play here. What emerges is always co-created by the natural unfolding of wants to be seen, felt, and expressed. 

Nope. You don’t need to know anything before you arrive.

Many people feel awkward, self-conscious, or unsure about play at first. That’s part of the experience. We explore how your nervous system responds to play, how conditioning or trauma may have shaped your relationship with it, and what play can mean for you now.

There’s no pressure to perform. There’s no need to "fake it" if you’re not feeling it. You’re welcome just as you are.

Not at all.

You don’t need to have clarity or words for your experience before you arrive. We’ll guide you gently into the space and support you in uncovering what’s true for you in the moment.

You’re never required to share or be at the center of anything. You might choose to witness, support, or simply be present—and that is just as powerful.

Everything is invitational. Your pace. Your process. Your choice.

This space is for people who are ready to:

• Bring their curiosity

• Explore their edges

• Reclaim creativity

• Grow in community

Every group looks different—because every person brings something unique. We adapt to the people in the room. You don’t need to show up any particular way—just bring your whole self.

This work is especially powerful for:

• People building intimacy, trust, and honest communication in community

• Groups exploring themes like anger, power, shame, body image, or self-compassion

• Existing communities wanting to deepen connection or bring fresh creativity to their space

• Businesses, retreats, or teams craving collaboration, authenticity, and playful innovation

• Couples seeking to navigate polarity dynamics or bring more ease, creativity, and support to their relationship

If you're feeling the spark, let’s co-create something that fits your world.