Mindfulness for Improvisors: An 8-Week Path to Greater Presence (still available!) | Peatixtag:peatix.com,2011:12021-11-14T16:03:16-08:00PeatixTedMindfulness for Improvisors: An 8-Week Path to Greater Presence (still available!)tag:peatix.com,2016:event-1496792016-02-22T15:00:00PST2016-02-22T15:00:00PST
Find greater
ease, wisdom, joy and agency. Mindfulness for Improvisors.
Mondays 3pm-5:30pmThe Annex @ BATS Improv, Fort Mason
Center8 Classes Feb 22nd - Apr
18th 2016 (skips Mar 28th)Includes Full Day Retreat on Sat Apr 9th 2016Free Introductory Class Monday, Feb
15th We will refer to improv principles and techniques, but all are welcome
regardless of improv experience. Students are expected to commit to daily
practice at home for the duration of the course. $350 Standard • $250
Low Income$500 Benefactor (enable others to
take part) Why mindfulness?To do your best on stage—and in
life—you need nimble flexibility, well-tuned attention, and an open-hearted
presence. Mindfulness—paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and
kindness—develops these very qualities. This course will help you forge new
neural pathways that shift your life and stagework into high definition relief.
In just 8 weeks, you’ll learn how to:
inhabit Beginner’s Mind
train the “puppy mind” with patient, kind, and
firm repetition
develop an “Attenborough Attitude” of kindness
and curiosity toward every experience
employ Ninja detective skills for greater body
awareness
turn off autopilot and turn on a fuller range
of expression
transform your relationship to thoughts and
feelings—from hardened facts to ever-changing events
unhitch from self-sabotaging “snowball
stories”
choose from a range of nuanced responses
rather than relying on hair-trigger reactions
speak and listen with greater presence
offer compassion to your self and others
This course is based on the
secular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model first developed by Jon
Kabat-Zinn at the UMASS Medical School, and includes over 28 hours of careful
instruction: Formal practices strengthen the awareness “muscle,”
helping us notice how experience changes in the mind, body, and emotions moment
to moment. Informal practice brings that awareness to daily
life: when we’re eating, driving, arguing, making love—or improvising. Shared inquiry uses small and large group discussions to draw
experienced-based wisdom from each participant in service to the group.
Playful exercises give us the chance to experience
firsthand the skills we’re exploring—and to laugh while doing it.Ted DesMaisons has been synthesizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning for over 25 years. He serves as US Coordinator and Lead Teacher Trainer for the Mindfulness in Schools Project and is a UMASS-trained Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor. Ted studied improvisation with Patricia Ryan Madson, BATS Improv, and the Loose Moose Theatre, and has performed with the Stanford Improvisors; Walking the Dog Theater company of Hudson, NY; and the undefeated three-time BATS Cave Match champion group, Teddy Likey. He writes regularly about improv, contemplation and positive reinforcement on his blog at AnimaLearning.com/blog