Improv for Anxiety: Laugh in the Face of Fear
Improv for Anxiety: Laugh in the Face of Fear
From GBP 12.00
Location
Date
Description
Improv for Anxiety: Laugh in the Face of Fear
This specially designed course combines is ensemble-based improv workshop and DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) practice. The course is to help people with mild to moderate social anxiety, fear of public speaking manage their symptoms and reduce avoidance behaviors in social, work/school and family settings.
The Improv for Anxiety is around 2:30 hours long. We will start with playful and fun improv group games designed to be inclusive and participative in a safe and contained environment. The session is open to all, no previous experience of Improv is required, just willingness to participate.
Improv for Anxiety courses were first launched by the Second City in US and Canada and have been very successful since then. Further details on this course at http://abc7chicago.com/society/second-city-improv-used-to-help-social-anxiety-disorders/337364/ and http://www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/improv-for-anxiety-level-a/
This Improv for Anxiety course is for:
• People who feel nervous and/or uncomfortable around other people and preventing you from expressing yourself and doing things you would like to do
• Does your fear of public speaking or talking to teachers get in the way at work and/or school?
Is being embarrassed or looking stupid one of your worst fears?
• Do you limit how involved you become with people because you are afraid of letting them get to know you?
• Do you worry that if people really knew you, they wouldn’t like you?
• Do you find yourself turning down invitations to social events because you know you would feel uncomfortable if you went?
• Does being the center of attention make you feel very uncomfortable and self-conscious?
• Do you worry about blushing or looking nervous in front of other people?
• Do you have trouble stating your opinion or asking for something you deserve because you worry about what others will think of you?
“Improvisation can be a lot of fun and involves the practice of mindful participating with spontaneity. It also involves letting go of being separate from others and throwing oneself into the story plot that is unfolding as each person takes a turn. if you have an improv teacher who can come to teach a group class, or if one of your group leaders has experience with improv (or is willing to read up and experiment with it), this can be a very good way to increase participants' (arid your own) mindful participation skills”.
In addition the DBT manual recommends laughter as therapeutic as “laughing can have very positive effects on health and happiness” (DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) Skills Training Manual, Marsha M. Linehan, Nov. 2014)
In this workshop we will introducing 2 skills from DBT as a daily practice, half a smile and willing hands.
"The skills of half-smiling and willing hands are usually taught together and are ways to accept reality with the body. In half-smiling, facial muscles are relaxed, with lips slightly upturned at the corners.Because emotions are partially controlled by facial or expressions, adopting this facial expression helps clients feel more accepting, In willing hands, the hands are unclenched, with palms Lip and fingers relayed, Willing hands arc the opposite of clenched hands, which are indicative of anger and of fighting to change reality." (DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) Skills Training Manual, Marsha M. Linehan, Nov. 2014)
Laughter idea was proposed by Dr Marsha Linehan as a way to illustrate mindfulness and full participation. Meditation and mindfulness involve being fully and completely aware of the moment. Laughing requires that we are fully present and have complete awareness.
Dr Linehan notes that, if the laughter is genuine, then self-consciousness disappears. All too often, we are in a place or an activity, and our minds are doing a million other things. The laughter is a way to help us to learn to be fully present in a fun, playful and a pleasant environment.
The Improv for Anxiety workshop is interactive, experiential group work; we will explore our inner wisdom, spirituality and become aware of different possibilities. We will be working in a supportive, non-judgmental environment with discussion, demonstration, movement, sharing, role-play and improvisation exercises in small groups. In the process, we may discover new insights into ourselves.
Recommended Reading: 'A Playful Path' by Bernard de Koven, 2014. You can download a free copy from here
Who is this workshop for: anybody recovering from anxiety, stress, depression socially anxious, anybody who is looking for a safe space to share and explore.
How much?
Waged: £15
Concessions: £12
Please book in advance via Paypal or
Where?
Theatre Delicatessen, Rehearsal Room 7
The session is offered by Nat Tsolak
Nat is a coach, Improv teacher and consultant with over 15 years international experience in training, leading and facilitating groups. Nat puts positive psychology into practice with fun, play and laughter.
Nat is trained in Improvisational acting and drama by Keith Johnstone (Author of Impro) and in stand up comedy by Logan Murrey (Author of 'Be a Great Stand-Up: Teach Yourself').
Nat holds Masters in Psychology from Glasgow University and MBA from Imperial College Business School. Nat is a member of the British Psychological Society.
"Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life."
Joan Lunden
Venue
Theatre Delicatessen, Theatre Delicatessen, EC1R 3ER London
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Improv for Anxiety: Laugh in the Face of Fear
From GBP 12.00