Improv, short for improvisational theater, is an unscripted live performance. The actors make up the scenes, dialogue, and characters on the spot, sometimes with the help of the audience. It is often comedic, but not always.“
Yes and…” The Foundation of Improv
Some time ago I was captivated by an Improvisation comedian being interviewed about his art form. What stood out the most was his description of the “Yes, and…” rule and its importance for a successful performance. Paraphrasing what I remember him saying:
Not long ago our dialogue fell apart. We retraced the interactions until we found the troublesome point of departure from the creative flow: a violation of the “Yes, and…” rule.
This rule stuck with me over the years, gaining more depth and breadth of meaning as time passed. What is it about this technique that makes it such a foundational element of successful improv? I look to its relationship to equanimity: the trait that some view as an elixir of life.
Equanimity is a profound state of mental and emotional composure, acceptance, and non-reactivity, especially in the face of challenges. Here is a modern echo of the ancients’ view of equanimity:
Various researchers have now established what the ancients knew all along: Equanimity is crucial for our psychological wellbeing…
Developing equanimity promotes better decision-making, reduces stress contributes to overall wellbeing by fostering a balanced mindset (positive psychology.com)1
How the “Yes, and…” Rule Works
The improv rule is simple: you give a nod, “yes and,” to whatever person, current issue, or lifetime situation you confront. This helps you to be open to accept what is without judgment, and from that perspective to look forward and examine positive creative possibilities: equanimity in the making.
Improv and the Holiday Season
Improv’s “yes, and…” shifts the brain from a negative and defensive mode, “no, but…,” to a collaborative and creative flow, reducing cortisol, building emotional resilience, and managing uncertainty more effectively.
Imagine experiencing the challenges of the holiday season being in that space. You might think to try “Yes, and..” during an unexpected traffic jam, or the late arrival of an important gift and see how it changes your energy. This is not a novel idea – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – and Everything is the Small Stuff is a book of self-help that essentially works from the same principle.
Practice makes perfect: increase mastery of this rule not only for the holidays but for the New Year and all years to come. When a situation is challenging, take some deep breaths, exhaling tension and anxiety, breathing in serenity, then delve in and say “yes and…”
Key Features of Improv Include:
- Listening and being present in the moment —
The dialogue flows as a participant accepts, without judgment, their partner’s premise “Yes, I see that you have an orange alien in your car,”
Then contributes new information to develop the story further: “And you need to fix that flat tire to get to the spaceship in time. I just happen to have a purple pump in my car.”
It does not matter how weird or outlandish the narrative gets. Great ideas and inventions have come from those sorts of premises: how about the 1970’s pet rock craze? It was a short-lived fad, but made its creator a millionaire. You never know down what road weird or outlandish might take you.
And remember, some philosophies consider rocks and all of the universe to be part of universal consciousness. That idea may seem outlandish…. or maybe not.
- Making your partner look good —
Boost your partner’s image, even if it is at your own expense. For example, enhance their status if your partner’s character is a clueless baker. “Yes, you do not follow directions well; and yet you are a natural — look, your zucchini nuffins turned out to be the best pudding ever.
- There are no mistakes, only opportunities —
If your partner makes a “mistake”, maybe fumbles their narrative, treat their fumble as if it were an intentional choice, good humor can come of it.
Examples to make you smile — the music group Renegade Saints on using improv at a family dinner.
When your brother insists on showing you his new vegan eggnog recipe (a “yes, and” challenge if there ever was one), instead of recoiling, go with it. Accept the strange beverage, take a sip, and enthusiastically suggest adding a little cinnamon or even some Swiss schnapps. If your family suddenly decides on a beach Christmas… bring a Santa hat and start planning sandcastle competitions. You’ll either come out with a new holiday favorite or a story that gets better every time
“Sometimes You’re the Meat, Sometimes You’re the Potatoes” [Make others look good…]
In improv, sometimes you’re the star, sometimes you’re the humble background player. The holidays are the same—sometimes you’re recounting tales of those sweet sweet Valais ski pistes to an enraptured crowd, and sometimes you’re just…there, nodding while Aunt Mildred tells you the same story she told last year. Embracing your inner potato allows you to let others have their moment, knowing that when it’s your turn to shine, they’ll (hopefully) be there nodding and smiling too,2
Improv and the Spirituality of the Season
The rules of improv embrace and nurture the spiritual hopes and aspirations of the holiday season – acceptance, empathy, peace, good will, hope, connection, and personal growth. Reading about the foundation and other rules of improv was reminiscent of listening to a spiritual teacher.
It might be fun to make one of your holiday parties an improv party. You can hire professionals or host your own party.3
As I write this, the thought occurs to me how much fun it would be to practice improv for its art. Laughter significantly reduces cortisol levels and there are online, inexpensive classes one can take. Maybe for now or to become more skillful in the coming year.
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Relax through the holiday season with your IonCleanse by AMD ionic footbath.
Virtually all of us can use some R & R breaks during this busy time of the year. Treat yourself to a weekly at-home spa night: an infrared sauna, or a warm herbal bath or shower followed by an IonCleanse footbath with a relaxing golden milk nightcap.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a wonderful holiday. See you next year. Barbara Moroney
