Improv-ing your state of health with Improv

Dr. Traci interviewed Darren Kept, of Held2gether, Improv for keeps. Darren teaches improv classes from your City of Long Shore and privately.

T: What on earth is "improv? "

D: Improv is the art of working with one partners to spontaneously generate a scene. It's really a fairly advanced form of "playing pretend". An important difference being instead involving fighting over who grows to be the fireman, everything spoken is completely true, then "yes anded" so as to add information, colors, labels, plot and additional the story of this scene.

T: Can improv improve one's well-being psychologically and physically?

D: I've seen improv improve people's lives psychologically in each aspect. The very idea of saying "yes" quite frequently, encourages openness to others' strategies, as well as out of your box solutions for struggles in existence. You can simply declare "yes", this is the obstacle - "and" theres million ways to defeat it. It gets us beyond our single mindedness. Additionally it is extremely heightened listening, imagine you're must riff off of the fact that was just said by your lover on stage. In this unique age of digital surcharge, our listening skills possess gone ka-pooey! Improv extremely improves listening, leading to higher relationships. There are a number of other benefits I may mention, including public talking in, taking action, confidence setting up, laughter, and so about. One of the things I like it that questions aren't allowed in (learning) enhanc. So you make defined statements. I had one college student tell me his relationship together with his wife improved when your dog changed "Do you want me to secure the garbage? " to "I'm acquiring the garbage, honey. "

Physically, there are actually high-energy warm ups that truly get you moving, but the biggest physical benefit must be laughter. Laughter retains us healthy. I've caused many handicapped people, plus they do improv beautifully. So it's not a prerequisite to should want to do every physical exercise.

T: Does improv provide exercising?

D: Improv does provide some work out in the high strength warm ups, particularly at the start of class. It also keeps you within your feet and moving, and so i suppose that burns a couple of calories! More than sittin' as you're watching tube!

T: Can being of form make a person an easier improvisational actor?

D: Being fit and slim can make you an improved improvisational actor, in that one can change your body towards play different characters. You always want into the future in as a figure with a certain mind-set, and if you're in good condition, you have more of your gamut to play with the help of. You can change ones posture, play someone hyper, and quite often have the strength towards project more vocally. The actual largest connection to being physically healthy I would say that could be increases confidence, which tends to make you a better improvisational professional, because you'll take extra risks.

For more information on registering for Improv classes, visit Darren's webpage at: http: //www. held2gether. com/classes/class1. htm