Many people think of improvisation as just comedy. That’s understandable based on its popularity and the effect it has on audiences when it’s done well. It looks and feels like a very special kind of magic. 

But did you know that improvisation has its roots in social work? Viola Spolin applied the form in the 1930’s via a Public Works grant to help immigrant children assimilate into American society. The feeling of being an outsider or fish out of water is universal – and often painful. It can lead to loneliness or isolation – conditions noted by the Surgeon General as chronic in our society. Having practical tools to navigate these all-too-common psychosocial occurrences is key. 

This is one of the things we do in Yes, And…Exercise! with our improvisation classes (a.k.a. “Jam for Joy”). We play simple games where we break down boundaries, imagining things not yet imagined in a safe, brave, supportive and fun space. We flow effortlessly from moving to a song like “We are Family” into mirroring each other to connect. We’ll play scenes that have us doing nothing but asking questions, then hitchhike in New York City in search of a public bathroom or drive a clown car Lamborghini at full speed down A1A on a quest to find a wizard. If it sounds weird or “out there”, you’re right. We make a point of playing with the absurd. We do more than defend this space, we expand it by declaring yes, and. It’s good to move beyond the way we think to remember that we’re capable of uncommon kindness, connection and creativity. 

The benefits don’t end in the class. We learn to apply these games and the yes, and spirit in our lives. We can journal the crush of early morning negative thoughts through the lens of one of our games. We can teach a health provider how to help us refocus and become centered in seconds by asking, “What’s not wrong with your life?” We can find a way to discuss a difficult topic with a loved one by mirroring where they are – reinforcing our innate and powerful tools of listening. 

This is what we do. It’s simple, easily accessible and broadly flexible to fit your group. Please join us at our weekly Jam for Joy classes at 10a Tuesday and 4p Thursday pacific time. Or contact me if you’d like to learn how we can do a class or set up a series of classes for your group or company. 

Robert Cochrane, PhD

CEO & Founder, Yes, And…eXercise!

Originally Published on https://www.yesandexercise.org/

Robert Cochrane, PhD Yes, And...eXercise!

Dr. Robert Cochrane is a graduate of UNLV's Integrated Health Sciences department. He's researching the effect of improvisation and storytelling on Parkinson’s disease. He received grants from the Parkinson's Foundation and support from the Davis Phinney Foundation along the way. He is a popular, unique and high energy Keynote speaker, bringing joy, optimism and practical tools for people in the PD community to thrive today.

He has a background in filmmaking, with the Artisan Entertainment release, The Playaz Court, and two Stephen King-based short films among his credits. His father, Dan, was diagnosed with PD in 2001, which shifted Robert’s artistic lens to health. He made his first documentary, the award-winning Boys of Summer in 2004. There are two follow up films in the series with the fourth film coming in 2023.

He moved his family back to Walnut Creek, CA, where he grew up. He lives there with his beautiful wife, two teenagers who are, indeed, "all that" and is a proud care partner for his amazing parents.