Why Adult Play Isn’t Childish—It’s Sacred (Especially for Black Women)

Somewhere along the line, we were told that play is for children. That once we “grow up,” we have to get serious, productive, and respectable. But what if I told you that play is one of the most sacred things we can return to as adults—especially as Black women? When I picked up a hula hoop for the first time, I thought I was just joining my daughter for a fitness class. But what I discovered was a portal back to my body. A way to move, to feel, to be—without performing for anyone else. As Black femmes, many of us were taught to shrink. To over-function. To prove our worth. Play says, “You don’t have to earn your joy.” What Playful Movement Does for Us: Regulates the nervous system after years of survival-mode hustle Rebuilds trust in our bodies through rhythm and repetition Invites joy back in—not just as an emotion, but as a practice Reconnects us to pleasure without shame This is the heart of what I teach in my hoop dance and embodiment workshops. We’re not here to “get it right.” We’re here to feel right in our own skin. Whether I’m performing at a day party or leading a corporate team-building session, I bring this message with me: Play is not a luxury. It’s liberation. 🔗 Ready to reconnect with your body through joy, not judgment? Explore my workshops and events