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An Improviser's Guide to
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What seeds do you want to plant and tend in 2025? And how can this intention lead to joy, growth, and awakening? Let’s explore how to hold intentions while we move forward together with joy and ease into the year ahead in this daylong improv-flavored mindfulness retreat!
This retreat offers opportunities to clarify and practice intention and attention both within ourselves and in community, so those muscles can be stronger when we go back into the wild and wooly world. We’ll strengthen the muscles of paying attention to the moment and allowing intention to light the way - trusting in the unfolding - through connection-rich improv exercises and guided discussions. We’ll also use sitting and walking meditations, journaling, gentle yoga, and periods of prolonged silence to invite internal contemplation. You’ll be offered suggestions of simple daily practices that may most nurture you and, by extension those around you, throughout 2025. Use this day of internal and external connection to clarify how you’d like to move through the year ahead and to fill your energy and positivity tank to take the next steps to get there.
Where intention goes, attention flows. Where attention flows, grows.
(Prerequisite: Weekly mindfulness class, one-time mindfulness workshop at HVC, or permission of the instructor)
This retreat offers opportunities to clarify and practice intention and attention both within ourselves and in community, so those muscles can be stronger when we go back into the wild and wooly world. We’ll strengthen the muscles of paying attention to the moment and allowing intention to light the way - trusting in the unfolding - through connection-rich improv exercises and guided discussions. We’ll also use sitting and walking meditations, journaling, gentle yoga, and periods of prolonged silence to invite internal contemplation. You’ll be offered suggestions of simple daily practices that may most nurture you and, by extension those around you, throughout 2025. Use this day of internal and external connection to clarify how you’d like to move through the year ahead and to fill your energy and positivity tank to take the next steps to get there.
Where intention goes, attention flows. Where attention flows, grows.
(Prerequisite: Weekly mindfulness class, one-time mindfulness workshop at HVC, or permission of the instructor)
alternating between periods of interactive and personal practice,
our daylong retreat includes these opportunities:
Comfortable, stretchy, layered clothing is recommended. Bring a yoga mat or blanket. Bring your lunch and beverages. Meditation cushions and anything else that makes your experience more joyful and easeful are welcome!
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though this course is entirely secular, the material - like all of mindfulness practice - derives from buddhist and hindu traditions and is based on Zen, Vipassanā, and Tibetan meditation techniques. we honor and are grateful for the wisdom of the teachers who have come before us.
About Your Teacher: Pam Victor is the founder and Head of Happiness of Happier Valley Comedy, where Pam performs regularly and teaches improv to the best students in the world. Pam is the creator of The Joy & Ease of Improv curriculum and The 30-Day Happiness Experiment. She brings the power of improvisation to the workplace in Happier Valley Comedy's professional development and wellness & wellbeing programs. Pam is the author of the children's therapeutic fiction book "Baj and the Word Launcher: Space Age Aspergers Adventures in Communication." Along with improv greats TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Pam co-authored of "Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ and Dave Book." A Smith College graduate with a Master's in Elementary Education from Iona College (NY), Pam received improv training from iO Theater (Chicago,) Annoyance Theater (Chicago,) Improv Boston, and Second City Chicago teachers. She is a member of the CloudSangha community. Pam has meditated regularly for over 2,538 (mostly) consecutive days and counting! Pam is a nice person and she likes you already.
Small but Important Fine Print:
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;-)
*Some improv exercises involve some standing, physical activity; however, we can accommodate all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
Masks are not required at HVC, but they are always welcome. Click here for our COVID policy!
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;-)
*Some improv exercises involve some standing, physical activity; however, we can accommodate all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
Masks are not required at HVC, but they are always welcome. Click here for our COVID policy!
Appreciation from our students:
"I was really blown away by how profound the lessons of improv actually are. I assumed it was about trying to be fast and funny and witty. I learned that it's about really paying attention, accepting what others are doing and trying to help them succeed."
"Pam shines her refreshing light onto her participants and leads with honesty and openness conveying that she is well studied in mindfulness and in this happiness space but is also a student who joins participants in the journey and experiment too." |
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"Pam is a skilled improv teacher who brings depth and breadth to her workshops. She helps walk us through assumptions, misperceptions and judgment and helps us land in openness, insight, laughter and greater ‘ease fullness’ Highly recommend."
Dr. Rob Smith, DO, Director of Baystate Health’s Mindfulness Program
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
