As a clinician who works with couples, I often find myself providing psychoeducation on the importance of staying present and connected, as well as responding to bids for connection. Regarding the former, one of the ways that I practice staying present, and also engage in my own self-care, is through improv. The art (and science) of improv also provides valuable lessons for the clients I work with, which can promote growth and enhance their relationships.
Researcher and improviser Clay Drinko, the author of Play Your Way Sane, notes that 'Yes, and' doesn't literally mean always saying 'yes,' but rather going along with someone else's ideas. This is because a player will accept and then add onto the suggestion/offering of another player. This enables the players to stay in the scene and work with one another to construct a shared reality.
If an improviser rejected the offer and said, 'No, it's not. It looks like it's about to rain,' the individual who provided the offer has been turned down, thereby ending the scene. This prevents opportunities for forward movement or growth. In order to accept influence, people must rely on their partner, trusting both them and the process.
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