I took an improv class for beginners several years ago that was offered in a local college's adult continuing education division (NY area).  I took it for the reason you suggested, to try to loosen myself up in a group.  I was nervous, but ready for an adventure.  It turned out to be a very small, supportive group, all non-actors doing it for fun, and it was very helpful in improving my self-confidence, as well as being lots of fun!  Everyone had moments when they felt self-conscious, so we were all in the same boat.  The instructor used a wide variety of activities, with the early ones being very easy-to-do, nonthreatening icebreakers designed for people who had never performed before a group (e.g. pass an imaginary ball around the circle).  Everyone found that if they felt awkward in one activity, they would find another that came more easily, but whatever you did was OK because it was just for fun.  Most of it was funny, so laughing together broke up any tension people might have felt.  I was very surprised to find that the range of what I could come up with on the spur of the moment was much wider than I had thought it would be.  So I recommend it--it is much more doable than we shy people would think!

 

Annette

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Mayo

To: SocialFitnessForum@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 3:01 PM

Subject: Re: [SocialFitnessForum] Re: I can never seem to figure out what to say fast enough

There are lots of options in that area, as well as most major cities.
http://comedysportzsanjose.com/workshops.html is one.

In San Francisco and Palo Alto there is BATS (improv.org) -- I've taken their
classes and they are great. There is also SF comedy college which offers
improv classes occasionally. Life Plays in Palo Alto, too.

Lots of people learn improv and want to teach it, so there seems to be a steady
flow of small classes being taught. There seem to be more teachers than the
market demands, so they go in and out of business a lot. So googling might be
your best bet. Try googling for "san jose improv classes" for some more ideas.

--Bob

--- Laura Johnson <lauracast99@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Where are classes offered through the Improv Theater? I live near San Jose,
> CA. Is there an Improv Theater near there?
>
> Laura
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Bob Mayo <soc-yg@bobmayo.com>
> To: SocialFitnessForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2007 11:39:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [SocialFitnessForum] Re: I can never seem to figure out what to
> say fast enough
>
> If you are up for it, Improv Theater lessons are great for this. I'm still
> amazed that they can teach people to react quickly and be spontaneous. I
> figured either you had it or you didn't, but that's not the case.
>
> Their training and exercises are perfectly designed for the shy person,
> although of course many shy people would consider it too big of a step. I
> know
> I did for many years. But when you are ready, check it out.
>
> --Bob
>
> > --- In SocialFitnessForum@ yahoogroups. com, "federal_gas" <kant4545@.. .>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > There is a pattern with me and I was wondering if anyone else has the
> > > same problem. I cannot figure out what to say fast enough for the
> > > conversation! Many times after a conversation I will think of a great
> > > comment or question, but never during the conversation. This is so
> > > frustrating. I guess I am slow witted. This problem then causes
> > shyness
> > > because of all the failed conversations. Does anyone know how to deal
> > > with this issue?
> >
>
>