MindfulPlayUK

"Wild Legosaurs Spotted" by tico_24 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Yesterday, 28th January, the world celebrated the boundless creativity and problem-solving spirit of International LEGO® Day. This day marks the anniversary of the patent filing for the original LEGO® brick in 1958, a humble invention that has sparked the imaginations of generations of builders and dreamers. From the iconic 2x4 brick to the intricate worlds of LEGO® Technic and Harry Potter, these colourful blocks have the power to transport us to realms of endless possibility. And today, 29th January, we shift gears to celebrate Freethinkers Day. This day is dedicated to the unwavering pursuit of independent thought, critical inquiry, and the courage to challenge established beliefs. It's a day to honor the intellectual pioneers who have dared to question the status quo and pave the way for a more open and questioning world. While seemingly disparate, these two days share a deep connection. LEGO...

"lego-mini-figure-walker-6571821" by Ralf Ruppert (ralf1403) from Pixabay In today's fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find moments of peace and clarity. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that Mindfulness practices can help us to improve our focus, creativity, and well-being. One way to incorporate Mindfulness into your life is through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, a methodology that uses hands-on learning to improve understanding and problem-solving. As part of my Masters’ research, I explored how the practice of Mindfulness can enhance LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without getting caught up in them. How can Mindfulness benefit LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops? Mindfulness can benefit LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops in a number of ways. For example, it can help ...

"LEGO Adults welcome, Oosterflank, Rotterdam (2021)" by Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) is licensed under CC BY 4.0. … and Why Adults Are Obsessed! Remember the simple joy of snapping LEGO® bricks together as a child? Turns out, that pure focus and satisfaction aren't just nostalgia, they are the secret ingredients to a powerful dose of mindfulness in the modern world. If meditation mantras and scented candles are not your thing, LEGO® can become an unexpected (and delightful) gateway to mental well-being for adults seeking stress relief and creative expression. It's not just a trend, either. Research shows that the repetitive, tactile nature of building with LEGO® activates neural pathways associated with calmness and focus, effectively reducing anxiety and improving cognitive function. Here's why LEGO® can be the ultimate adult mindfulness tool: Hands-on focus: Building with LEGO® requires present-moment awareness, directing your attention away fr...

"Merry Christmas!" by Nick-K (Nikos Koutoulas) is licensed under CC BY 2.0. A Christmas Poem In a world of coaching, facilitation, and play, Where mindful coaches help us along the way, LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is the tool we hold, To build our dreams and stories untold. With bricks of every colour, we craft our desires, From castles of happiness to bridges of fires, Our minds expand, our spirits soar, As we create a world that's ours to explore. The mindful coach, with gentle embrace, Guiding our thoughts, with a patient pace, We learn to focus, to breathe, to be still, In the midst of Christmas' hustle and thrill. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, a magical art, Bringing creativity to life from the start, We build connections, we share our delight, In this Christmas season, oh so bright. So gather your bricks, and let us play, In this mindful and playful ballet, With LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, we'll find our way, To a Christmas filled with joy and light, in every w...

"A Mindful Coaching and Facilitation Consultant" by Karen Grayburn. A mindful coaching and facilitation consultant is a professional who helps individuals and organizations achieve their goals by integrating mindfulness practices into their coaching and facilitation work. They are trained in both coaching and facilitation methodologies, as well as mindfulness techniques. Mindful Coaching Mindful coaching is a coaching approach that emphasizes the importance of present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation. It helps individuals to increase their self-awareness, reduce stress, and make more mindful choices. Mindful Facilitation Mindful facilitation is a facilitation approach that uses mindfulness practices to create a safe and supportive space for participants to learn, grow, and connect. It helps to ensure that meetings are focused, productive, and inclusive. Benefits of Mindful Coaching and Facilitation Mindful coaching and facilitation can offer a num...

"The Windmill in My Studio" by Karen Grayburn. This weekend just gone I was displaying at Oban Winter Bricks as part of the Oban Winter Festival on the West Coast of Scotland. It got me thinking about how I use LEGO® personally and how I use it professionally. Adult fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) are a passionate and diverse group of individuals who have maintained their love of LEGO® bricks well into adulthood. They are often collectors, builders, and creators who enjoy the challenges and rewards of using LEGO® bricks to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) is a unique facilitation methodology that harnesses the power of LEGO bricks to enhance communication, foster creative problem-solving, and unlock innovation. AFOLs have been instrumental in the development and adoption of LSP, bringing their expertise and passion for LEGO® to this innovative approach to problem-solving. AFOLs are drawn to LSP for several reasons: Creati...

A Natural Explosion of Light by Karen Grayburn. As a coach, I use a variety of methodologies to help my clients achieve their goals and live their best lives. The more powerful ones for use in business being: Mindfulness, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, and Coaching. Mindfulness: Anchoring Presence and Awareness Mindfulness is the practice of knowing what is happening while it is happening without preference. By training our attention to focus on the here and now, we can detach from the incessant chatter of our minds and connect with the profound stillness that resides within. This practice fosters a deep sense of self-awareness, allowing us to observe our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. As we cultivate mindfulness, we gain the ability to respond to life's challenges with greater clarity, compassion, and resilience. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®: Unleashing Creativity and Insight LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitated methodology that utilizes LEGO® bricks as a medium for e...

MSc Thesis becomes a Book A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc in Studies of Mindfulness at the School of Education, University of Aberdeen. November, 2018. Published: 04 September 2020 Title: How can the practice of Mindfulness enhance the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops? Keywords: Mindfulness, Facilitation, Flow, Autoethnography, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Play, Narration Available: Amazon | ResearchGate Abstract Mindfulness is knowing what is happening while it is happening, both within our own mind and the world around us, without preference (Mindfulness Association, 2015; 2016). LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an innovative, experiential process which deepens reflection and supports an effective dialogue for everyone, and is designed to enhance innovation and business performance. It is based on research which shows that this kind of hands-on, minds-on learning produces a deeper, more meaningful understanding o...

"A Mindful Coaching and Facilitation Consultant" by Karen Grayburn. Professional Summary Karen is an enthusiastic, emotionally engaged, and mindful coaching and facilitation consultant. Having spent the last twenty years in technical positions around the world within the field of Information Systems, Karen has come to believe that there is a definite synergy between those and our own Human Systems. With a deep interest and training in Mindfulness, Karen’s coaching style encompasses the mindful and compassionate techniques she has embodied. She has also attained an MSc from the University of Aberdeen in Studies in Mindfulness and is qualified as Ready to Teach for both the MBLC and CBLC courses provided by the Mindfulness Association. Karen is also an Enhanced, and Real-Time Change® Facilitator in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method and materials. She has published a book based on her research carried out for her MSc Studies in Mindfulness: “ How can the practice of Mindfulness...

"Feedback" by Got Credit is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Since my last update I have completed some very valuable teacher training offered and provided by the Mindfulness Association. In January, I attended the fabulous week-long Compassion-Based Living Course (CBLC) teaching skills retreat; and in March, the Inquiry and Group Dynamics CPD weekend. Both of the training courses not only deepened my own personal practice but also gave me the tools and confidence to take my studies and teachings further. They were also very beneficial in terms of my MSc dissertation as these will underpin my Studies in Mindfulness with regards to the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. With this is mind, it is with great joy that my full proposal for my dissertation has been approved and therefore it is all systems go. The next three months will be spent finalizing my three years in the study of Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight. Looking forward to June and the last end of year retreat...

Dissertation research question and themes In March 2017, I wrote a Professional Enquiry (PE) which posed the question "How does the practice of Mindfulness manifest in the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops?" This preliminary study looked into combining both Mindfulness (MBLC) and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodologies. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is not only a methodology steeped in research and Mindfulness, it is also an activity which should be done mindfully and ethically. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this Professional Enquiry (PE). My current thinking is that I could use this as a case study for the Work-Based Project (WBO) that would be conducted in Year 3 of the MSc Studies of Mindfulness. I will look into the feasibility of setting up and facilitating a "Mindful Serious Play" hybrid workshop and assessing its value. I am going to call this hybrid "MindfulPlayUK". Once I have designed the course, I would love to take it on a road...

We Understand Knowledge Management. We Practice Mindfulness. We Play Seriously. We are Mindfulness and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® consultants and provide clients with consultants skilled in: Knowledge and Information Management Mindfulness: Ready to Teach Mindfulness-Based Living Courses (MBLC) LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology: certified facilitator Areas of training, development and support of systems, projects and people Speaking English, Spanish and French We have supplied consultants for organizations in Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. "We Understand Knowledge Management. We Practice Mindfulness. We Play Seriously." These three statements encapsulate a powerful approach to effective knowledge management and personal growth. By understanding knowledge management principles, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in serious play, individuals and organizations can enhance their ability to create, capture, share, and apply knowledg...