There’s the saying that laughter is the best medicine.
If that’s the case, then why are there more medical facilities than comedy clubs?
Rock n’ roll friend, concert season is slowly approaching and I’m making my list and checking it twice for budgeting purposes.
And while I look forward to seeing some great bands on the stage this summer, I never expected to find myself on a stage…..doing comedy.
A couple of weeks ago, I completed a comedy improv class in a tiny black box theater in front of a packed audience.
You might be thinking if I’m going to start a career in either stand up comedy or audition for SNL.
The answer is no.
Like music, I believe all art forms are beneficial in so many ways. But I knew I needed to get out of normal creative routine and try something different.
I learned so much more from improv beyond just creating comedy scenes.
One: I didn’t expect that an improv class would teach me to quit thinking about the future.
Two: The improv instructor shared a story that the comedy club’s first location was in a gritty basement located downtown. The now famous comedian, Nate Bargatze, once referred to the comedy club as “The Chuckle Dungeon.” (this is just a funny story I had to share)
Three: I learned that the only thing you need to be prepared for is to Have Fun.
Why so serious?
During a class exercise, I realized that if I thought too far ahead on what might be funny in the scene (and I’m talking, like literally seconds) it typically didn’t land.
When I improved in the moment and didn’t think about what might get a laugh, the crowd roars.
And it’s such an amazing feeling when laughter echoes through the room and you made it happen. It’s the kind of dopamine I had never experienced before.
As someone who has dealt with a lot of anxiety, I’ve read a hoopla of books on ways to deal with it. From meditation to breathwork to Buddhists teachings. Hell, I was even convinced that my anxiety could be soothes by reading those damn little yogi-like messages typed on tea bag tags.
I was always thinking too far ahead. I sometimes forgot about the fun.
How many times have I thought way too far into the future on a project, relationship or situation? Or worse, replay a moment in my head and wish I said something else.
Plenty of times!
In all my “research” when it came to relieving anxiety, I rarely saw a message that discussed the benefits of laughter. (Maybe I was reading the wrong things?)
One night in class, the group had to share why we are taking the class. Most of the responses were to have more fun or seeking community!
I don’t think comedy is the cure for cancer, but it can certainly help with one’s health.
We need more comedy clubs and art spaces in communities for more fun to be had!
The Trick is to Keep Laughing
A while ago, I watched the documentary, Momentum Generation, about the rise to fame of teenage surf boarders who started competing professionally in national competition. (Remember Kelly Slater? Those blue eyes of his are hard to forget. Huzzah!)
Aside from the hella talented, cute surfer beau troupe, there was something that really stuck with me about the documentary. If you fall off the surf board after riding a wave, surfers are encouraged to laugh when they come up for air.
Why? Because laughter releases tension in the body and eases anxiety.
I’ve never surfed before (and nor do I care to) but I can see how laughing would be beneficial if a big wave is approaching. Yipe!
I mean,
Ha! Ha! Haahhaaaahhaaaaaahhhaaa!
Lose Yourself
When it comes to my creative and life endeavors, I have future goals and know where I want to be.
But life is a lot like an improv scene, you really don’t know where it’s going to go but I know it turns out so much better than you think.
After taking the improv class, I got to thinking that maybe thinking too much about future goals isn’t always the right strategy?
Maybe the answer is just to have more fun along the way.
Maybe that’s the real secret to success.
Reminds of the lyrics
You Better Lose Yourself in the music
The moment
You Own It
-Eminem
Talk about improvisation - Rap battles! Coming up with rhymes on the drop of beat? How do rappers do it?! I’m amazed.
Just Riffin’
I’ve been teasing you for a couple months now about my new special radio series, Coffee and Cassettes.
Think of it as a conversation of going record shopping with a friend. It’s like Amoeba’s What’s in My Bag? mixed with Desert Island Discs.
In this first episode, I’m talking about cigar box guitars, Black Sabbath covers and drinking the Deadhead Kool-Aid with Herizon Newsletter writer/Recording Academy Member/TedX Speaker/Editor/Founder, Thea Wood!
Listen to this great conversation and playlist with Thea Wood. It’s available to stream for free on Mixcloud. Coffee and Cassettes is produced by me and is free of ads!
I’d love to know what you think about this series.
I got a batch of more great conversations coming at cha every month!
Talk to you soon!
Stay inspired,
Joi
"Maybe the answer is to just have more fun along the way" —needed this reminder. Also improv seems both intimidating and so much fun!!
Like Rosemary, I definitely needed the reminder to have fun along the way! The improv class sounds awesome. It feels like something I would love after the fact, but be a total ball of nerves leading up to it.