Neuroscientist David Eagleman’s Incognito mentions two fascinating stories of unexpected learning. Both attest to the mysterious powers of the human brain—and encourage a radical reexamination of how we teach and train. Eagleman explains how many in the poultry industry of the 1930’s turned to the Japanese for a technique for training chicken sexers, workers who [more…]
Why I Love BATS (Ode to an Improv Community)
For these past two months, I have reveled in the singularly delightful energy and ethos of Bay Area Theatresports (BATS).[1] Now that I’ve finished my many-miled journey back home to New England, I’ve had the chance to catch my breath and take stock of the group’s greatness. And, man, is it rich. Housed in the [more…]
100 Funny Names: A Shabbat Brainstorm
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of celebrating Shabbat dinner with my dear friends, Michael and Julie Saxe-Taller, their son Sam, and a host of other delightful people. After lighting candles and enjoying our dinner, we spent much of the evening playing improv games: word-at-a-time interviews, 1-2-3 timing challenges, and the like. Throughout the [more…]
The Spinning Dancer Paradox: An Argument for Humility
I’ve always loved optical illusions and dual or ambiguous images. On the surface, they’re just flat-out cool. Who thought that up? How the heck does it work? Why can’t I control my response to it? Examined more deeply, they also challenge the certainty of our perceptions—and the validity of the claims we make from those [more…]
Improv and Contemplation: Partners on the Path
As one who lives in both the extroverted arena of improvisational theater and the introverted realm of contemplative practice, I sometimes feel a bit schizophrenic. Earlier this fall, I traveled directly from a San Francisco conference with the Applied Improvisation Network—more than 220 charismatic, rollicking folks from all walks—to a quiet group retreat on Bainbridge [more…]
The Bay School Model of Mindfulness
Every so often a sweet little synchronicity opens doors of exploration. Just this past week, one such moment led me to a small school intertwining themes of mindfulness and mindset, right here in San Francisco. After another fine improv show at Bay Area Theatersports (BATS) last Sunday, I complimented Katherine Riley, one of the performers, [more…]
I Want to Sing!
Life stirs so many emotions large and small, each on opportunity to experience more of our humanness. Funny that a Spontaneous Broadway improv class could open a new window into their wisdom. From mindfulness practice, I realize that I am more than my emotions. Moving from “I am angry” to “I feel angry” gives me [more…]
Mindset 101
Trying to get a glimpse of your own mindset is like inviting a camera to see its own lens. Or like asking a fish to see the water it swims in. It’s tough to gain perspective on something we’re embedded within. That said, the task is not impossible—and taking it on offers a crucial first [more…]
The Transformative Failure Bow (Part 2 of 2)
The previous post discussed the history and varied application of The Failure Bow, a well-loved improvisational theater technique for returning to the present moment after a seeming mistake. This post, Part 2, explains recent body chemical research that shows how and why the Bow works—and argues for its wider application for creating and spreading confidence, [more…]
The Transformative Failure Bow (Part 1 of 2)
The Failure Bow has a long and treasured history in the world of improvisational theater. Recent research demonstrates that there’s a life-changing reason why. This two-part post will show you how the technique can interrupt feelings of shame and self-defeat; deliver greater confidence, clarity, and calm—and activate waves of resilient joy. For more on changing [more…]
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