Discover New Levels of Movement, Connection, and Play
Join Us for an EMP Weekend Workshop
Experience a transformative weekend of nature-based movement, community connection, and playful exploration that will reignite your joy in learning and physical expression.
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As Seen In...
The EMP Mission
In a world that’s increasingly disconnected, where our routines and distractions leave us searching for something more, we often forget the essence of what it means to be human.
We lose touch—with our bodies, with nature, and with each other. But must this be our fate? Or is there a path to rediscovery?
At Evolve Move Play, we believe there is. This isn’t just about movement; it’s about the pursuit of personal excellence, whatever that might mean to you.
Movement is where we begin, awakening the wisdom of the body.
Through meaningful practices and dialogue, we challenge you to reconnect—not just with yourself, but with the world around you.
What if you could:
Move with purpose, unlocking strength and joy in your body?
Engage in deep conversations that sharpen your understanding of life?
Build relationships that inspire, sustain, and challenge you to grow?
This is what the Evolve Move Play Tribe offers: a space to explore, to connect, and to thrive.
Whether your goal is to become an elite athlete, a more engaged parent, or simply a more present human being, we’re here to guide you.
Ask yourself: What is holding you back from the life you truly want? What might you discover by stepping into a community that values excellence, meaning, and connection?
The answers lie within you—but the journey is one we’ll take together. The path to a richer, more meaningful life begins here. Will you take the first step?"
Evolve Move Play Workshops
What To Expect
Nature-Based Movement: Get outside and train in real-world environments. We’ll teach you to navigate natural terrains—like forests and rivers—as you relearn the art of playful, intuitive movement. Embrace climbing, vaulting, balancing, and more in a safe, progressive way.
Embodied Mindset & Flow: Tap into the power of mindfulness and flow states through guided breathing, movement drills, and meditation exercises. By learning how to tune into your body’s cues, you’ll enhance focus, reduce stress, and boost your sense of well-being.
Playful Exploration: Play is a powerful teacher. Experience the joy of experimenting with new movement challenges and games designed to expand your comfort zone, spark creativity, and awaken your sense of wonder.
Community Connection: Our workshops foster a supportive, close-knit atmosphere. Build meaningful bonds with like-minded individuals as you learn together, laugh together, and inspire each other along the way.
Guided Preparation for EMP Live Events: Ready to take your practice offline? Our programs and coaching sessions will prepare you physically and mentally for Evolve Move Play’s transformative in-person events.
EMP Core Pillars
The TRIBE is designed to guide you step-by-step from feeling disconnected and stuck to becoming fully embodied, connected, and alive. Through immersive experiences in nature, thoughtful movement practices, and meaningful conversations, you’ll gradually reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and others.
Pillar 1: Embodied Movement Practice
Reconnect with your body through natural, functional movements that are rooted in our evolutionary biology.
You’ll start with simple practices designed to help you regain mobility, coordination, and strength — not by isolating muscles, but by moving as a fully integrated human being.
Pillar 2: Mindfulness and Presence
Movement is more than physical. You’ll develop mindfulness practices that encourage you to become fully present in every movement, learning how to listen to your body and tune into its natural rhythms.
This practice goes beyond just movement, offering you clarity and focus that permeates all areas of your life.
Pillar 3: Nature Reconnection
Experience the healing power of nature. In this phase, you’ll learn to develop a deep awareness of your surroundings through practicing mindfulness, and engaging in physical practices in natural environments.
Whether it’s climbing trees, running through forests, balancing on rocks, or even just sitting and mapping your surroundings, each practice will bring you closer to nature and yourself.
Pillar 4: Dialogical Practices
Meaningful connection isn’t just about movement — it’s about communication.
You’ll participate in dialogical practices designed to foster deep, authentic conversations.
These exercises will help you improve your ability to listen, connect, and communicate openly with others, enhancing your relationships on every level.
Pillar 5: Build a Supportive Community
You won’t go through this journey alone.
You’ll join a community of like-minded individuals who are also working to reconnect with their bodies, nature, and each other.
Through group activities and shared experiences, you’ll build bonds that support your growth and transformation beyond the coaching program.
This step-by-step approach offers you a holistic path to rediscover your body’s natural intelligence, cultivate mindfulness, and reconnect with the world around you.
By integrating movement, mindfulness, nature, and human connection, you’ll not only transform your body — you’ll transform your life.
Meet The Team
Rafe Kelley
Founder
Rafe Kelley is a pioneer in the natural movement community and the visionary behind Evolve Move Play. With over two decades of experience in movement training, Rafe has dedicated his life to helping people reconnect with their bodies and the natural world. He blends insights from parkour, martial arts, gymnastics, and evolutionary biology to create a unique and holistic approach to movement.
Rafe's journey began with a deep passion for understanding the fundamentals of human movement. He has spent years refining techniques that not only build strength and agility but also foster a profound connection to nature. His coaching goes beyond physical training—it's about helping you rediscover the joy of play, the wisdom of your body, and the power of moving in harmony with your environment.
Under Rafe’s guidance, you'll learn to unlock your full physical potential, build resilience, and experience the freedom of moving with confidence and purpose in any environment.
Kyle Koch
Senior Coach & Outdoor Educator
Kyle Koch is a seasoned movement coach with a background in parkour, martial arts, and wilderness survival. As a Senior Coach at Evolve Move Play, Kyle brings a unique blend of technical expertise and deep knowledge of outdoor skills to the coaching team. His teaching style is rooted in the belief that movement is not just about physical fitness—it's a way to connect with nature, build mental toughness, and foster a resilient mindset.
With a focus on practical, real-world applications, Kyle helps his students develop the skills needed to navigate both urban and natural environments with ease. His coaching emphasizes adaptability, creativity, and the importance of play, ensuring that every training session is not only effective but also enjoyable and deeply engaging.
Kyle’s approach is perfect for those looking to enhance their physical capabilities while also cultivating a deeper connection to the natural world and a stronger, more resilient mindset.
Aaron Cantor
Coach & Movement Innovator
Aaron Cantor is a movement innovator known for his creative approach to physical training and his ability to inspire transformative change in his students. With a background that spans yoga, martial arts, and natural movement, Aaron brings a holistic perspective to the Evolve Move Play coaching team.
Aaron’s teaching focuses on exploring the full range of human movement potential, encouraging students to push beyond their limits and discover new capabilities. He is passionate about helping people move with more freedom, confidence, and joy. His sessions are dynamic and playful, often incorporating elements of improvisation that challenge both the body and mind.
Whether you're new to movement training or an experienced athlete, Aaron’s coaching will help you explore new ways of moving, thinking, and being, leading to profound physical and personal growth.
Who Is This For?
If you are passionate about movement and nature, and want to develop a movement practice that will bring the most meaning to your life, then this experience is for YOU.
We crafted the EMP method to be adaptable to all levels. We’ve worked with students as young as 11 and as old as 73. Our students have spanned the gamut from untrained novices to elite parkour and MMA athletes.
For experienced movers and teachers, not only will we be covering ways to use the materials with your own students and clients, but previous students have continued to rave about the quality of our methods and how it has improved their own teaching for years after they took our training.
Whether you are a novice mover or expert movement instructor, our methods are fun and simple enough for you to be completely immersed with self transformation.
"Ultimately, this is so much more than a physical experience of returning to the physical aspects of what makes us human. It is about returning to community, returning to human connection and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with others, and just having fun. This was quite honestly one of the best experiences of my life and I would love to be able to attend again.”
Jamie R
“It’s odd to think about how powerful that one jump has been in my life. I mean, speaking literally, it’s just a jump between two rocks, but I draw on that experience all the time. Not JUST when I’m faced with physical challenges, but when I need to find the courage to speak up, to be more authentic, to be vulnerable, to try something new, to stop the internal dialogue that says “who are you to think you can do this.”
Maura
Upcoming Workshops
April 2025
San Diego, CA
Coaches: Kyle
Date: April 26th & 27th 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location: Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends March 1st) $497 $397
May 2025
Ashville, NC
Coaches: Aaron
Date: May 3rd & 4th 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location:TBD
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends April 1st) $497 $397
Copenhagen, Denmark
Coaches: Ben
Date: 24th & 25th of May 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location: Springforbi Strandpark
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends April 1st) $497 $397
June 2025
San Francisco, CA
Coaches: Kyle
Date: June 14th & 15th 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location: Golden Gate Park
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends May 1st) $497 $397
NYC
Coaches: Aaron
Date: June 21st & 22nd 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location: Prospect Park
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends May 1st) $497 $397
London, UK
Coaches: Ben
Date: 21st & 22nd June 2025
Time: 9am -5pm each day
Location: Hampstead Heath
Pricing: Early Bird Registrations (ends May 1st) $497 $397
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not in great shape, and I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up.
Our workshops are designed for people of all fitness levels. Because we run small groups, our instructors can tailor movements and progressions to meet you where you are. You’ll be encouraged to challenge yourself—but always at your own pace. Our goal is to help you grow in a supportive environment, not leave you behind.
I’ve never done parkour or any advanced movement training before. Is this for me?
Absolutely! We welcome beginners and experienced movers alike. Each exercise can be scaled to your comfort level, and we prioritize safety and fun. You’ll learn foundational skills to build confidence, plus plenty of playful drills to make movement exploration engaging for everyone.
I’m worried about getting hurt. Is this safe?
Safety is our top priority. Our workshops focus on progressive skill-building, meaning you’ll start with the basics and only move forward when you’re comfortable. Instructors provide hands-on guidance and spotting techniques, and our approach to nature-based movement emphasizes respect for your body’s limits as well as the environment.
How much personal feedback will I actually get?
Plenty! We intentionally keep our workshop sizes small so our instructors can observe and guide each participant closely. Whether it’s technical pointers, mindset coaching, or helping you push past personal barriers, you’ll receive dedicated attention throughout the weekend.
Can my child attend?
All participants must be 12 years or older. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
What will the daily schedule look like?
While the specific curriculum that is covered will vary, each day’s training begins at 9am and ends at 5pm with a lunch break around noon.Most of the day will be spent engaging in body to environment and body to body practices such as natural parkour and roughhousing, with body to object and body integrity practices being layered in as needed.Between physical practices, there will be plenty of time set aside for brief lectures, dialogues and group discussions to help process insights gained through training.
What should I bring with me?
Everyone’s needs differ, so our general policy is that each person brings what they need to be comfortable. You’ll most likely want to have a backpack, plenty of water, a lunch, and any snacks that you’ll want to have with you throughout the day. We will be moving in nature, with other people, for close to 8 hours each day, so consider wearing clothing that is breathable and non restrictive, that you don’t mind getting dirty. You may also consider bringing a towel and a change of clothes. While we encourage moving barefoot as much as possible, we will be training in a public space, so it’s great to have some athletic or minimalist shoes handy just in case.We will likely spend a decent portion of each day in direct sunlight, so bring any UV protection that you might deem necessary.You may also like to have a pen and paper to take notes with.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Full refunds are available up until 30 days before the event.Less than 30 days before the event, tickets are transferable if non-attendance is due to injury, illness, or family emergency.
Outdoor movement education and training to build HEALTHIER, HAPPIER HUMANS!
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