Yes … And …

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Dr Denise Taylor

5 August 2019

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I regularly attend comedy improv classes. It’s both challenging and fun.

I love to learn new things, and this is taking me outside my comfort zone which is a journey I encourage everyone to take.

We learn through games. One such is ‘Yes … And’

We divide into triads and two of us perform a scene and the third watches, comments and makes sure we stay on track.

Key Rule: You must accept what is said and reply constructively.

One person speaks first, this may set the scene.

The second person repeats the information just said (which demonstrates listening) and then ADDS some new information. It must be a statement, not a question and should be around – Who, What or Where. It must focus on the now, not to the past or the future.

The exercise is a good way of demonstrating that you are listening and that the information you add will enhance the conversation.

We practice this regularly, so it becomes second nature. I’m not there yet!

Relevance to life

I think this can be helpful through our life. Too often we want to say BUT. No matter what someone says or asks we respond in a negative way.

But what if we aim for the positive. The constructive?

How about the next time someone makes a statement that could be putting themselves down or seeing the worst in a situation we see the positive.

Here’s a couple of examples, I’d love you to have a go and comment.

I’m feeling so tired I don’t want to go out tonight

REPLY – you’re tired and you don’t want to go out, AND so we can snuggle up on the sofa and watch trash TV.

I’m finding my eyesight is deteriorating and I don’t like wearing glasses

REPLY – you don’t like wearing glasses AND this means everything looks so much better in soft focus.

 

Go on – have a go!

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