Relating to Self

Mary Lemmer brings joy to empowering people to improve themselves and the world around them. She believes that improvisation is a practice that can lead to a better relationship with yourself.  Mary is the founder of Improve, a company that improves people’s lives by using techniques inspired by improv comedy and behavioral research.  In this fascinating conversation, Joachim and Mary explore:  The improv warm-up technique “Crazy Eights”  How to use rituals to prepare for podcasts or important events in our daily lives  The importance of letting go of thoughts and getting into our bodies  How Mary incorporates different breathing techniques like pranayama into her daily routine  Mary morning routine of meditation routine and “Morning Pages” the journaling technique popularized by Julia Cameron  Joachim’s experiment with lucid dreaming and maintaining a dream journal  The inspiration and insight of dream interpretation  How the fundamental improv principle of “Yes, and…” directly impact your relationship with yourself  Mary’s belief that improv provides a psychologically safe space to practice new beliefs, behaviors and habits.  How improv not only helped Mary with honing her skills as a comedian, but also allowed her to deepen her perspective, self-inquiry and exploration.  Talking to yourself (or your pet) as a technology for thinking  Joachim’s experience as a professional musician and the idea “that there is nothing that engages the brain more than performing music.”  The difference between rote memorization and improvisation  How improvisation allows you be more fully in the present  “We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are” ― Anaïs Nin  The benefits of shadow work and Internal Family Systems  The improv technique first word last word  To learn more about Mary Lemmer and her work, visit:  https://marylemmer.com/  Watch her debut comedy special “Living with my Parents”  Watch her Ted Talk "How Improv can Improve your leadership and life" Learn more about her company “Improve”  To continue improving your relationship with yourself, visit https://relatingtoself.com Sign up for Joachim's newsletter to receive: a free collection of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself  simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself  podcast updates and exclusive resources