
Encyclopedia search
Spontaneity is the current of flow. Things happen smoothly and effortlessly. When spontaneity gets blocked, it feels like you’ve got nothing. This is usually because of two obstacles: thinking and judgment. Here are ways to deal with each of these blockages.
Trying to come up with an idea can cause your brain to lock up. The harder you try, the more stuck you become. If brain lock occurs, take your time, breathe deep, and focus on what is present. Respond to that. You can also break mental logjams by doing a physical action or speaking before you know what you’re going to say.
The inner critic is a voice that sits in the back of your head and inhibits your impulses. In real life, this can be a good thing because it keeps you within the good graces of polite society. But when you play, the inner critic’s feedback isn’t nearly as helpful. It blocks your brain, locks your body, and offers up advice like, “That’s a stupid idea.”
Spontaneous play involves a degree of thinking. However, when the process of thinking impedes your creative flow, it becomes a problem. Getting stuck in thinking is known as “being in your head.” When you’re in your head, you’re no longer present or responsive to the present moment. It impedes the sense of flow, which puts you even deeper in your head, creating a vicious cycle.
When you’re improvising, you need ideas. Some ideas are related to what’s already going on. Some ideas are better when they’re completely unrelated. Random access is the ability to generate a random idea instantaneously.
Fingers and feet become involuntarily active when players feel on the spot. Fidgeting fingers and feet show up in exercises like Firing line and Hot seat. If you notice this behavior in yourself, breathe deep, relax your face, and respond without judgment.