Mindful Improv Comedy Training

Improv for beginners with Bristol Improv Theatre - Yuup

It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.

D.W. Winnicott

Note: Because of the current turbulence in some of our work and personal lives, we want to emphasize that all students are welcome to take our classes regardless of financial situations. Below are considered “Donation suggestions,” only. If you have nothing to give, that is fine. If you can give more, we sincerely appreciate your generosity.

If you’d like to explore barter or trade, or any of this, please contact Jim at YogaPhile@yahoo.com.

[We will be having a GIANT  BLAST with Mindful Improv LIVE Online and in Person!]

 

To register for this Summer series, you can make your donation to the Yoga Center though Venmo (“@Jim-Readey”) or PayPal choices below.

A Word about Mindful Improv…

 

The blended practices of Mindfulness and Improv Comedy are a natural fit. They form a powerful, integrated tool for insight, transformation, and creativity. The combination makes

  • Mindfulness practice a lot more creative & fun, and
  • Improvisation more user-friendly & grounded … and its invaluable skillset more easily transferrable to our everyday life

And … it’s a total hoot!

Check Out Our Mindful Improv Class as Featured on NH Chronicle! (click here, scroll to 2:44)

Past Mindful Improv Events…

 
Sunday (RollingPark, Concord NH. starting  July 18–:  (3-5 p.m.) 5-wk. Mindful Improv Training Series

Scroll down to REGISTER for this 5-wk. training… 

5-wk. Series: sundays, July 18- Aug. 15(6-8 pm)

Ever been curious about improvisational comedy? (Or want a deeper experience with it?) Do you feel motivated to grow as an individual…or to connect with your inner child, cultivate creativity, resilience, and an ability to speak on your feet…? Or, are you simply ready to meet some fun, new people?

Last question: Do you want to laugh…really, REALLY laugh?

This Mindful Improv training will connect you with the mindful community AND the powerful tools and inner resources you’ve been looking for! 

Across this 5-week span, you’ll learn improv’s foundational skills in real time. You will also learn to BREATHE MINDFULLY, and move through the room with with MINDFULLNESS. Each interactive class will get you right up onto your feet and learning how to

○ “yes, and…” (affirm and add to) suggestions
○ create and play engaging characters
work through personal resistances and roadblocks with ease
○ reconnect with your inner child, and
effortlessly tap into your creative depths

Through active listening, advanced breathing techniques, and safe risk-taking in a supportive learning environment, you will continue to surprise yourself with how resourceful and playful you really are! ☺

Led by experienced improviser, and senior yoga & meditation teacher, Jim  Readey

Sign up today!  Spots are limited.
 
Questions? Please, let us hear from you!
(contact Jim at yogaphile@yahoo.com)
 

SUGGESTED DONATIONS:

Regular: To register for the 5-wk. series (after July 10, 2021), click immediately below ($129*):

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*PayPal pay’mts will incur add’l fee — sorry about that, it’s how PayPal rolls!
 
 
 
Late Registrants: To register for the 5-wk. series (day-of or after July 18 starting date), click immediately below ($139*):
 
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*PayPal pay’mts will incur add’l fee — sorry about that, it’s how PayPal rolls!

 

 


Early Bird
: To register for the 5-wk. series (by 11 p.m., July 10, 2021), click immediately below ($119*):

 
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*PayPal pay’mts (and others) will incur add’l fee — sorry about that, it’s how PayPal rolls!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Previous Improv Events:

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To Help w/ our Website’s visibility, we’re including the following info — which may or may not be worth your reading (as it may be repetitive):

1. SUN. Oct. 20 (noon-3 p.m.): Intro to Mindful Improv Workshop (Concord NH)

Mindful Improv with Jim and Tyler

July 20 @ 6:45 pm – 9:00 pm

Improvisational masters in Mindful Improv

Mindful Improv

1. SAT. Oct. 5 (1-4 p.m.): Intro to Mindful Improv Workshop (Yoga by Donaton, Portsmouth NH)

Find self-discovery through social design in this unique Mindful Improv Workshop. It will be an experience where laughter will carry the energy of healing. Social constructs help you through any bumps in any day.

Discover how laughter unites us all through Mindful Improv. We will discover just how healing joy and fun can be in this Workshop. Since humor is an energy that flows through the core of our being, we will track and follow the many ways “humor-energy” allows us to grow — especially, by growing  into more magnificent versions of ourselves. In this experience, you will rediscover your own inner light through the art of mindful play. 

This will happen as a result of  the Mindfulness Improvisation Workshop offered at our studio, YbD (Yoga by Donation)

A minimum of 6 students will be required to hold this workshop. 

Register Now, Earlybird price expires 7.13.2019

 
 
 
 
 
 

The workshop is co-facilitated by senior yoga instructor Jim Readey  and professional improviser Tyler Paterson.

Experience the joy of Mindful Improv (Self Discovery Through Social Design).  You are guaranteed to find this interactive workshop to be supportive of your spiritual or personal growth journey.

 
 
 

Do you hesitate when change comes your way? LIkewise, do you drop into fear when something new wants to be introduced into your life? Learn how to say “Yes!” to new ideas (and to yourself!).

In this workshop you will practice the artful, relaxed and effortless ways to  create hilarious situations on the spot! We will also integrate yogic breathing tools to navigate any given situation with clarity and ease.

 
 
 
 

This Mindful Improv event will have everyone comfortably engaged and on their feet within the first few minutes.  Moreover, Jim and Tyler will reveal the skills and philosophies behind each game (and how they translate into everyday life!). By evening’s end, you’ll have experienced a belly full of laughs. The night will fly by while you make real human connections. While you practice presence and mindfulness, you will accumulate memories you won’t stop talking about. (Hope your friends are patient!)

 
 
 
 
 
 

The presenters will provide a safe, intentional, and nurturing space so you can discover the joy of connecting  with your inner child. And your experience will jumpstart the process of knowing a greater sense of wholeness.

Previous students of Mindful Improv have walked away with a sense of  re-discoverey. In their workshop experience, many found some essential, missing pieces of their life — joy, spontaneity, creative juiciness…

The improv process includes such exercises as creating believable characters from scratch. Another self-discovery tool included is learning how to actively listen — by so doing one can also respond with honesty. Most significantly, each participant comes to understand that there is no such thing as failure. Deepening that understanding, we remember that everything the Universe throws our way is a gift that we can spin in our favor.

Have you been looking for a positive and yet uplifting activity of full connection? A connection that includes a link to mind, body, and spirit? If so, then follow the link  to your creative potential (and funny bone!)…

So here you go: The beautiful melting pot that is Mindful Improv has arrived to open your heart and mind with laughter.

Come and experience first hand how significant a difference 2 hours can make in you life. The workshop is worth double the workshop fee offered at YBD for half the cost!

This can be the best $40 you ever spent realizing and enjoying first-hand experience of the joy and togetherness of Mindful Improv — we promise, it will open up astounding new worlds of possibility!

$40 per student. ($34 if paid by July 13)

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM on July 20th at Yoga By Donation,
Doors open at 6:30pm

Portsmouth, NH

Read more about Jim Readey here.

Read more about Tyler Paterson  here, a Second City alumni

 

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1. Sat. July 20: Intro to Mindful Improv Workshop (Portsmouth NH) [COMPLETED]
 
2. Sat. July 27: Intro to Mindful Improv Workshop (Wilton NH)
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*PayPal pay’mts will incur add’l fee — sorry about that! (Cash or check option available, to avoid fee…just ask!)

INTRO to (All-Levels) IMPROV (workshop)

Sunday, May 26, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
For All-levels: Learn how to be creative on the spot —
in a playful and fun way, without anxiety or interference from
the overly-serious inner critic’s voice.
 
Sign up today!  Spots are limited.
 
Questions? Please, let us hear from you!
(contact Jim at yogaphile@yahoo.com)
 

Payment: For early bird special, register for this workshop by noon, May 19) by clicking immediately below ($30*):




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FREE Showcase, Saturday, April 13, 7-9 p.m. — Audience participatory…jump onstage with us! [clickhere for free tickets]

Improv Showcase:  Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019(7-9 pm)

SPECIAL Improv Showcase ~ Jump Onstage & Play with Us!

Be part of the audience, and enjoy an evening of amusing (and, maybe, surprising) entertainment, OR…
 
Jump up “onstage” and play along with us! We want you to learn more about this sometimes silly, sometimes spiritual, but always liberating and liberating, thing called improv…and we want to make it easy and fun!
 
We’ll be offering this hands-on, audience-friendly improv
showcase on Saturday evening, Feb. 2. You’ll have a chance to see improv up close, and enjoy plenty of laughs from your seat… plus, you can join us for a game (or three or seven, or as much as you want!)… then, maybe, sit and watch some more… or jump back in… it’s entirely up to you!
 
It’s a teensy bit informal, and there’s no pressure!
 
A core of four Yoga Center Players will “host” each game, explain the simple rules, see who wants to play with us, and begin! Voila!
 
There will also be space for your questions and discussion.
 
Intrigued? Questions, already? Please, let us hear from you!
 
 
 

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Foundational & MUSICAL IMPROV ~ Learn to Make Up Your Own Songs, Instantly!

Learn musical improv with veteran musician and professional improviser Tyler Paterson!

Early Bird: To register for the Sun. Jan 27 workshop (AND PAYING BY noon Sun. Jan. 20.), click immediately below ($30)

 

 


If paying regular fee within the 7 days leading up to the event, click below ($36):

 

 


Note: Day-of fee is $40…register now, and save!

 
 
 
 
 
 

Learn musical improv with veteran musician Tyler Paterson!

Part 1: Two-Hr. Music Improv Workshop:
This class will be completely interactive (everyone will participate!) and cover many of the fundamentals behind improvising a musical number. From understanding song structure, to emulating vocal and character styles, to incorporating movement, both beginning and experienced improvisers will discover new ways to stand in front of a group and confidently belt out a song.

The best part is…YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO BE A GOOD SINGER!

These techniques will help you gain more confidence and find more joy in your life.

Part 2:  One-Hr. “Improv Fundamentals” Workshop:
Next we’ll zero in on fundamentals starting with 2-person scenes, focusing on

○  how to ground yourself in reality and then explore the silly

○  different ways to interpret audience suggestions

○  yes-and’ing

○  how to read a scene, and

○  bringing awareness to the deeper truths in scenework.

♠  Everything will be tied together with improv philosophy.  ♠

Note: Participants must be 18+ to participate. Space is limited!

♦♦ Instructor: Tyler Paterson ♦♦

Tyler Paterson is a graduate of Second City Chicago, iO (formerly Improv Olympic), and the Annoyance theater. He worked professionally on the aforementioned stages before touring as a founding member of the music comedy trio The Shock T’s. Now, he’s bringing his knowledge and insight back to the East Coast and couldn’t be more excited.

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Past workshop(s) below ..
Next date, just added (!): Friday June __, 2018(7:00-9:30 pm)

Bonus: Pay by 8:00 p m., Fri.,  for early bird pricing ($22) 

Learn to create on the spot — it’s fun and oh-so-simple to do, when you know the secret!

Reserve your spot for the spontaneity/improv workshop now! [Note: We welcome beginners…we’re all “beginners”, really! It doesn’t matter what level of experience you have, or don’t have, because the workshop is presented in a very gentle, user-friendly way. The focus is always on mindfulness and fun! Please contact Jim if you have any questions at all. (yogaphile@yahoo.com)]

Early Registrations: To register for the Friday, March Spontaneity Training (Improv) workshop ~ and you’re paying before 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 13 ~ click immediately below ($22):




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“Relaxed Registrations”: For “11th hour” registrations for this Improv workshop (after the early bird deadline but not “day of”),click immediately below ($29):




 
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“Day Of” Registrations: For “12th hour” registrations for this Improv workshop (payment on April 20), click immediately below ($36):



 
 
 

Description

We are never too old to play. We may often feel too old — but that is precisely because we have forgotten how to play! Play is essential to our overall health and it is a key ingredient in our enjoyment of life. All mammals — we humanoids, included — share an impulse for recreation. Playing renews us, makes us whole, again. Play “re-creates” us because it restores our vitality (in part, by allowing us to release unnecessary tension from our body, and burdensome worries that weigh on our mind).
 .
Intro to Improv Comedy
Friday, April 20, 2018)
  .
   These playful events encourage laughter, lightness, and heart-opening joy (… and whatever you would call the opposite of perfectionism). It’s a beginner-friendly introduction to improv comedy and games. Yes, improv comedy .. like on Whose Line Is It, Anyways? only no Drew Carey. Learning the basics of improv is easier than you might think…and way more fun than you can imagine! 
 
   If you’ve never tried improv — or felt like a colossal failure the first time you did (as a long-time perfectionist, I absolutely did!) — here’s the good news: You don’t have to be good at it to enjoy improv. In fact, you don’t even have to be funny to enjoy this stuff. It’s just playing. My early mistake was taking it all too seriously, and trying to be funny. That doesn’t work. What I’ve happily come to realize is that improv is just like playing games with our friends when we were young. When we engaged for the sheer fun of playing with others, not necessarily to win or to be the best, life was always pretty good.
 . 

   That is exactly what improv is like…playing for the sake of play. Having fun and building together, rather than competing. And that is how it’ll be offered when you come join us.

Oh! and the belly laughter is really good for your core…scientific studies say so!!!

Join Us!
   If this sounds at all intriguing to you, do come join us… bring friends… bring your inner child… bring a change of underwear… (I refuse to explain that last suggestion — it just came out of my mouth, and we’re going to leave it there, okay?)…forget about closing down the garden, raking leaves, or doing the dishes … just show up!
~ Jim Readey
 

P.S

   Although we use improv comedy games and exercises, and each workshop is filled with laughter and creative silliness, our focus is not primarily about performance. It is so much more.

   What we’re really learning to do in these workshops is 

     ○  expand our brain’s bandwidth

     ○  tap into our creativity

     ○  trust spontaneity

     ○  cultivate presence & calm

     ○  flow easily between the brain’s left and right hemispheres

     ○  become better at listening and empathizing

     ○  cooperate with other beings

     ○  rediscover our funny bone

     ○  have fun and experience joy

*'@^@||| dizzy

So, yeah, we’re playing with many of the fun improv tools ‘n’ toys you’ve seen on Whose Line is it, Anyway? But it’s really about training ourselves to think, and act, differently. We’re learning to respond to life in a spontaneously creative, imaginative, and — ultimately — more effective way. While it is, in fact, all fun & games, it’s not reallyall just fun & games. Well, it is and it isn’t…it’s actually both…at the same time…if you know what I mean. 

   Whether you’ve been away for awhile, or have never tried anything like this before, it’s time! With all that’s happening in the world around us (you fill in that blank, yourself), now is a very important time to remember to laugh! 

Archives:

To register for the Sun. June 3 workshop (2-5:15 pm), click immediately below:



Note: Although the June 3 workshop sold out, you can still join us for this great event because we’ve added a SECOND DATE! (see immedialtely below)

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Early Bird: To register for the 4-wk. series (AND PAYING BY noon Sun. Feb.. 17), click immediately below ($99*):

Early bird fee, $22 (regular fee, $29) Bonus: Pay by the early bird deadline, and bring a friend* for FREE!