Number One Fan
Narrator: Welcome to Adult Recess. Our bodies and our brains are connected. Moving our bodies in a mindful way helps stimulate our brains and regulate our emotions. And engaging in play is healthy for us at any age. Today's warm-up is a laughter warm-up. Did you know that laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain?
The first step is to turn to someone else in the room and... smile.
Good. And find someone else... smile again. Good. Now this may feel a little strange, but we're all in this together. I want you to place a hand on your belly and laugh with a series of deep "ha" sounds. Like this: ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Okay, try it with me. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Good, again. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
And one more time. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Nice. Now, reach one hand way up over your head and make a series of very high “ha” sounds. Like this: ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. OK, try it with me. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Again. Ha, ha, ha. And one more time. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Good. Now, do you know someone with a particularly unique laugh? Try imitating that laugh.
Or pick a silly one of your own. Like this: ha, ha, ha, ha.
OK, try it with me. Ha, ha, ha, ha.
And again. Ha, ha, ha, ha.
And one more time. Ha, ha, ha, ha.
Nice. Today's game is called, Number One Fan. It's based on the all time classic — rock, paper, scissors. In case it's been a while, here are the basics of rock, paper, scissors. Rock beats scissors. Imagine a rock bending the metal. Paper beats rock. Imagine paper covering a rock. And scissors beats paper. Because scissors can... well, that's right. Cut paper.
Let's practice the basics. We all tap our fist on our open palm and say, rock, paper, scissors, go! On go, you choose which one you're playing. OK, all together. Rock, paper, scissors, go! Good. Now, if you have a tie, you just replay until one of you wins. You're probably all wondering, Why is this game called... Number One Fan!
Because the game isn't over when one of you wins. Whoever won your first round will turn to find another first-round winner. The person who lost now becomes their partner's, you guessed it, Number One Fan! You have to root like crazy for your person to win in their next round. Whoever wins that round turns to find another person to play.
The game continues until there is just one player left and everyone else cheers for that player. Are you ready? OK. Find your partner. All together. Rock, paper, scissors, go! Let's hear you cheer! Rock, paper, scissors, go! Next round. Root for your partner. All together. Rock, paper, scissors, go! Nice. Are there still players left? Find a new player. Your cheering squad just got bigger. Let's hear it, people. All together. Rock, paper, scissors, go! OK, let's stop there. Everyone give yourselves a big round of applause.
Great job cheering each other on. Let's take it down a notch. You can take a seat or lay down on the floor. Now take three deep breaths. Good. Close your eyes for a moment. What did it feel like to cheer for your partner or for your team? If you won a match, what did it feel like to have your partner root for you? As humans, we all feel good being a part of something bigger than ourselves. As you go through your day to day, is there a way you can make everyone around you feel like they are part of a team?
OK, let's take three more deep breaths
And open your eyes. Nice work playing. Have a great day.
Get ready to smile as you warm up with “Ha” breathing, followed by the Number One Fan. This game — based on rock, paper, scissors — will have people up and moving all while encouraging others through cheering. This video ends with a slower reflection and relaxation time.
