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sion. I find people often feel that if they are distressed about something that they shouldn't laugh and they become trapped by that one aspect of themselves spiral- ling downward. The parallel of Improv to how I work with mental health is that I encourage people in therapy to identify the part of themselves which has certain troublesome patterns and characteristics, yet to observe that this is only one part. If someone is struggling with a sad and lonely part of themselves, they learn that they also have other characters inside: a joyful one, a playful one, an angry one, and they are the observer of those characters. By shutting down the self-censor- ing part of the brain we open to a more creative part. It builds confidence because anything can come out. When we have a chance to express more of who we are in this way a transformation occurs. There is more of us available to all scenarios in life and we learn that we can survive anything. Spontaneity and naturalness gives a wider experiential response to challenges we meet. “But I'm not funny” I hear you say. Actually, it is not on the agenda to be funny at an Improv class, funny is the by-product. Those who try to be funny fail. Those who simply go for spontaneity fully are allowing themselves to respond in a scene to what is front of them. This is what provides the points of poignancy, the feathers that tickle and self-reflection which reduces us to tears of laughter not sorrow. The audience laughs because they see themselves in those moments of being in the flow of connection.
The same in the therapy room, when a client begins to hear themselves repeating a pattern in a way that they haven't before, then they often laugh. Truth has landed and truth is seeing ourselves as we really are rather than how we are try- ing to be in order to please others (past and present). Truth accepts our imperfect self as as fine and dandy. Emma Boddy describes this as “the relief of laughter... the genius comes in when when we let go and when we get it wrong”. Saying Yes to Life
In everyday life we too often find ourselves limiting what we can and can't do, feeling constrained. One of the fundamental principles of Improv is that when we are given a scenario in which to respond, that we only have to be open. When an offer or invitation comes our way, say “Yes” and also add something more to what is offered, going to those extremes which we normally avoid. I see this as simply being curious about what might happen if we say a wholehearted “Yes” to things we nor- mally wouldn't, and go for it with gusto. The same in the therapy room: there is an opportunity to say things we normally wouldn't, to know that there will be no come- back as you are in a safe place, and that it can all end in laughter as well as tears. Of course, whether in therapy or Improv, there is skilled preparation from the person guiding you so that safety is maintained, and so that the risk feels exciting rather than dreadful. People often ask me how I can bear to hear the stories I hear in therapy. I like to hold in mind that I also get to hear the laughter letting loose which is so good for the soul.
Copyright Cathy Towers 2017
Cathy Towers is a fully certificated Zero Balancer working with pain, posture and back- care and also a BACP Senior Accredited Practitioner (Psychotherapy). She runs Exeter Mind and Body Clinic. Cathy also trains therapists in building their private practice with spiritual awareness and integrity. 01395 278437 or 07989 564660
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Clinic:
http://www.exetermindandbody.com www.exetermindandbody.com South West Connection - August / November 2017
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