|
An Improviser's Guide to
|
As the Dalai Lama said, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." Compassion for self and others is at the, well, heart of a mindfulness practice. Evidence supports the many benefits of compassion, such as greater happiness, life satisfaction and motivation, better relationships and physical health, more resilience to handle life’s turbulence, and less anxiety and depression. Good for you and good for your world!
In this daylong retreat, Head of Happiness Pam Victor offers you a variety of mindfulness-based activities to build your compassion practice, such as sitting and moving meditations, connection-rich guided discussions, journaling and specifically-selected improv exercises. (We use improv exercises as a tool to practice compassion, rather than improv for improv's sake.) The retreat invites periods of prolonged silence to deepen your experience. In a choose-your-own-retreat style, you're invited to select the activities that feel most joyful, easeful, and beneficial at each moment of this retreat.
This retreat is open to brand new and experienced meditators and improvisers. (As experienced mindfulness practitioners know, we are all beginners!) Join us for a day of practice strengthening the muscles of staying in the present moment with an open heart - resisting mentally time traveling into the unchangeable past and the unknown ahead - and cultivating a spirit of loving-kindness for all beings… including (especially) yourself!
“When we are mindful of our struggles, and respond to ourselves with compassion, kindness, and support in times of difficulty, things start to change. We can learn to embrace ourselves and our lives, despite inner and outer imperfections, and provide ourselves with the strength needed to thrive.” - Kristin Neff
PREREQUISITE: Completion of any weekly class at HVC,
or permission from the instructor
In this daylong retreat, Head of Happiness Pam Victor offers you a variety of mindfulness-based activities to build your compassion practice, such as sitting and moving meditations, connection-rich guided discussions, journaling and specifically-selected improv exercises. (We use improv exercises as a tool to practice compassion, rather than improv for improv's sake.) The retreat invites periods of prolonged silence to deepen your experience. In a choose-your-own-retreat style, you're invited to select the activities that feel most joyful, easeful, and beneficial at each moment of this retreat.
This retreat is open to brand new and experienced meditators and improvisers. (As experienced mindfulness practitioners know, we are all beginners!) Join us for a day of practice strengthening the muscles of staying in the present moment with an open heart - resisting mentally time traveling into the unchangeable past and the unknown ahead - and cultivating a spirit of loving-kindness for all beings… including (especially) yourself!
“When we are mindful of our struggles, and respond to ourselves with compassion, kindness, and support in times of difficulty, things start to change. We can learn to embrace ourselves and our lives, despite inner and outer imperfections, and provide ourselves with the strength needed to thrive.” - Kristin Neff
PREREQUISITE: Completion of any weekly class at HVC,
or permission from the instructor
alternating between periods of interactive and personal practice, you can choose from these opportunities:
|
Comfortable, stretchy, layered clothing is recommended. Bring your lunch, snacks, and beverages*. Yoga mats, blankets, meditation cushions and anything else that makes your experience more comfortable are welcome!
*To accommodate fellow students with severe health risks, PLEASE AVOID BRINGING ITEMS CONTAINING NUTS OR SESAME PRODUCTS, like hummus, foods with sesame oil, coffees with nut milk, or anything containing tree nuts or peanuts.
*To accommodate fellow students with severe health risks, PLEASE AVOID BRINGING ITEMS CONTAINING NUTS OR SESAME PRODUCTS, like hummus, foods with sesame oil, coffees with nut milk, or anything containing tree nuts or peanuts.
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 and MIndfulness at HVC curricula 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 has been a member of the Banyan community, attends regular short silent retreats at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and is incredibly grateful to practice mindfulness under the mentorship of Sharon Shelton. Pam has meditated regularly for over 2,638 (mostly) consecutive days and counting! Pam is a kind 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." |
|
"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.
