Evidence
Supported by two peer reviewed and published studies
What Does the Science Say About One Rule Improv and Trauma?
The One Rule Improv approach when used with Teens with Complex Developmental Trauma […] drives the nervous system to self-organize towards integration and balance, thus shifting the individual from the mental state they are in to one better able to function cognitively, physically, behaviorally, and psychologically, improving their capacity to engage and make meaningful connections with others.
Here’s why it works:
To engage verbally our brain needs to be “online.”
For someone who has experienced trauma, it is very often “offline,” meaning they are instead in the part of their brain that is meant to protect themselves from threats.
As you try to engage with them via talk therapy or basic conversation, they are unable to fully understand you as you try to reach them. Their brains are still trying to protect themselves from possible threats.
One Rule Improv is a fast and simple way to help those who suffer the effects of trauma get their brains online so they can better engage with others, learning, treatment, life…
Take a look at these two Brain Map images depicting brain wave activity. The top map shows brain wave activity before doing improv. See the dark and bright colors? That indicates the person is struggling to focus, think, and relax.
What does this look like in real life?
It looks like a teen who won’t look up or make eye contact. They won’t talk or respond to you. It looks like they are tense and hunched over, seeming to hide. They might seem anxious or depressed. But they also might become violent or aggressive if you keep trying to talk to them.
Now…
Look at the Brain Map on the second line. This is after just a few minutes of One Rule Improv. See that the colors have cleared. There is an improvement in cognition, attention and a release of muscle tension.
What does this look like in real life?
That is a teen who is able to co-regulate. They are now standing tall, smiling, and communicating positively with those around them. They are relaxed, open, can think clearly, and they can respond appropriately.
THAT is the power of One Rule Improv
One student, when asked how improv made her feel, said, “Improv feels like swimming. You don’t have to go through the ugly.” She explained, “Going through therapy is like track: you sweat, hurt, sometimes cry … the ugly. But with improv, it’s like swimming. You do the same work and get to the other side, but you don’t even feel the sweat. Instead, you are laughing and smiling. You don’t have to go through the ugly.
Are You Ready to Bring Improv Into Your Life in a Purposeful, Impactful, Transformative Way?
AS SEEN IN
Improv ‘n Ink
Founded upon the One Rule Improv approach, Improv n Ink is a fast, easy and fun way to help students overcome their resistance to writing.
What Does the Science Say About Improv n’ Ink and Writing Fluency?
After participation in the sequence of improv games students showed an increase in their writing fluency. These findings, along with existing literacy research, suggests that improv provided a framework that takes students rapidly through essential literacy processes seen on the emergent level; and that exposure to, and practice of, these processes address deficits in social emotional or literacy skills that are important to writing.
What the Studies Show
The studies showed that whether the students participated in classes over six days or six weeks, regular education students showed a 50% increase in the length of their writing, and special needs and “at risk” students showed a 100-300% increase.
With 90% of the time in collaborative groups and 70% of that time engaged in oral games, students progressed rapidly through a series of essential literacy skills that impact the ability to write, while concurrently nurturing the development of important social-emotional skills that also affect a students’ individual writing.
Are You Ready to Bring Improv Into Your Life in a Purposeful, Impactful, Transformative Way?
