Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection

by Ted DesMaisons

$15.95

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Author: Ted DesMaisons

Paperback:
Publisher: ANIMA Learning
ISBN 10: 1950373002
ISBN 13: 978-1950373000

Hardcover:
Publisher: Anima Learning
ISBN 10: 1950373010
ISBN 13: 978-1950373017

Playful Mindfulness brings together wisdom from the worlds of mindfulness (paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and kindness) and improvisation (making life up courageously as you go along) so readers can find greater confidence, calm, and connection.

CONFIDENCE. CALM. CONNECTION.

Do you long to express that creative project or idea but tell yourself you’re not good or clever or funny enough, so why even try?
Do you dream of a wide-open life filled with moments of wonder, delight and surprise but find yourself trapped in routine and smothered by stress?
Do you yearn for deep, meaningful connection with those around you but feel yourself ever more isolated by social media and modern technology?

HOPE IS ON THE WAY.

In these pages, Ted DesMaisons takes your hand and leads you on a beautiful, surprising and unruly adventure into the lands where mindfulness and improvisation overlap. There, you’ll discover the same freedom, ease, and joy that thousands of his students at Stanford and elsewhere have found for themselves.

Review

“Ted DesMaisons brings decades of experience as a student, teacher and philosopher to bear in this book. He charts new territory in blending improv and mindfulness. There is a lightness to this approach, but make no mistake: this book offers profound life advice.”

--Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom

“This is the stuff of transformation. I found mindfulness and creativity heroism here and my work as a teacher, husband and father are more grounded for it. If you want a gentle path toward nurturing your soul, Ted DesMaisons understands how to bring both inspiration and calm to the human experience.”

--RG Richards, Theatre and Dance Chair, Philips Exeter Academy

"Whata valuable resource for any teacher or mindfulness practitioner! Ted masterfully takes us to the enthralling and alluring place where mindfulness and improv meet. Along the way we learn a variety of lessons - including how to skillfully relate to failure, how to tap into the creativity of the present, and —maybe most importantly—how to have more fun in our life and practice!"

--Doug Worthen, Director of Mindfulness Programs, Middlesex School

“Ted’s insight, humor, and humility makes his application of improv principles both powerful and compelling. We’re in the midst of an improvisation renaissance and Playful Mindfulness brings the art form even further into everyday life.”

--Rebecca Stockley, Co-Founder BATS Improv, Applied Improvisation Practitioner

“When coaches, holistic practitioners and entrepreneurs want to attract millions of dollars’ worth of clients, quality connection matters more than anything else. Playful Mindfulness helps you build an unmistakable presence that makes that kind of connection easy, spontaneous and, yes, playful. Ted’s work offers a breath of fresh air!”

--Sharla Jacobs, CEO and Co-Founder, Thrive Academy

“A joyful journey indeed! Inspired by his podcast with Lisa Rowland, Ted DesMaisons invites you to get passionately and positively present in your life. Like a good friend taking you on a pleasant walk, this book demonstrates the opportunities and advantages of curiosity and provides a simple, clear way to use both improvisation and mindfulness to become more forgiving— with yourself and with others.”

--Dan O’Connor, Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Impro Theatre, Los Angeles

“After Playful Mindfulness, I’m calmer, more confident and more content. What negative people say has less impact on my self-esteem and happiness. I worry less—and dance more!”

Joke van der Hurst, Stanford Continuing Studies student

"This book is a treasure trove of practical, nuanced, and actionable insight. Ted shows us how to learn and embody qualities like curiosity, courage, gratitude, and a growth mindset—and he’s included a rich glossary of improv games and exercises. I highly recommend Playful Mindfulnessfor educators and facilitators and it’s got such great life skills for people of all ages!”

--Jessica Morey, Executive Director of Inward Bound Mindfulness Education

“Playful Mindfulnessallows me to be my true self. I don’t have to worry about what others think and can just be in the moment.”

--Ben Larson, Stanford Continuing Studies student

About the Author

Ted DesMaisons has been synthesizing innovative approaches to collaborative learning and personal development for over 30 years. A graduate of Stanford Business and Harvard Divinity schools, Ted trained to teach mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn and others at the UMASS Medical School and has studied, taught and performed improvisation internationally. Currently, Ted teaches Playful Mindfulness and voice and presence courses through Stanford University's Continuing Studies program and co-hosts the Monster Baby Podcast ("A Curious Romp through the Worlds of Mindfulness and Improvisation")-the inspiration for this book. He lives near the beach cliffs of Daly City, California with Luna and Marley, his two quirky and charismatic spotted Ocicats.

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Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection