Zeratul - Brain training to improve brain power

Just needs practice.

I stood like a deer under the spotlight.

"Tell me something that's on your mind, Mom."

Kevin encouraged me. All I had in mind was to get off this stage. The idea of ​​signing up for a random acting class wasn’t mine, it was my son’s. He said it would help me think faster and give me the confidence I needed. After years of being a full-time mother, I was re-entering the business world. It was my fault for telling him that I didn’t think I was as sharp as I used to be. I told him about a recent lunch I had been having trouble thinking of things to say to business associates. I had expected sympathy from him, but he had solved the problem.

Kevin is an actor. When he can’t go out of town for filming, he teaches acting classes at Phoenix Studios. He is also a popular performer at improv shows all over our area. Improvisation is his specialty. It’s a type of comedy where the actor naturally creates and delivers scenes based on the audience’s requests. Kevin told me that improvisation sharpens his skills for auditions and makes him ready to take on any role. He said that learning this skill would help me too. I agreed.

 

My first class was a disaster. At first, we were paired up with a partner, and we started off easy with simple exercises where we had to look each other in the eye and respond to any cues they gave us. We played and practiced games that challenged our reaction time, and exercises that improved our memory and listening skills. I could see how much these exercises could sharpen my brain, and it wasn't difficult.

 

But unfortunately, I found out that these exercises were just warm-ups for us. Then Kevin taught us a game called “Yes, and Then.” Kevin paired us up as Noah and his animals. He then led each pair to the center of the stage. At the most terrifying moment, I had to agree with whatever my partner said about me (or the plot) and then say something to help the plot move forward. This was much more difficult than our earlier exercises, and I was stumbling.

"Mom, I can't do it anymore."

I told Kevin as he drove me home. I felt embarrassed. It didn't help that I was the oldest in the class. Not being able to react as quickly as others made me feel even older. He said encouraging words to me and the way I acted.

I was hoping he would praise me for being good enough. He not only encouraged me but also asked me a question.

“Why didn’t you think I could do it, Mom?”

"Because I can't think fast anymore, Mom."

I said it with disappointment..

“Do you have any idea how to make it better?” he asked calmly. I replied sarcastically.

"I just want to get younger, you know."

Kevin turned his eyes from the street to me and smiled. “No... it just takes practice.”

I sighed and got angry. Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared out the window at the dim streetlights. How could a 24-year-old know that as a person gets older, their thinking skills become slower? I didn't think he would understand that I was worried that he might get Alzheimer's like my mother. I silently vowed to myself that I would never go back to his acting class. I didn't want to be a comedian either.

When Wednesday came around again, I tried to put the class out of my mind. Like every other night of the week, I sat with my husband on the side of the field where Kevin's brother Ryan was playing baseball, and we talked about college.

I often watch students play. My husband scolded me and urged me to go to Kevin's class. I had to give Kevin one night a week. I swallowed my pride and went back to my son's class.

I enjoyed watching Kevin teach. The classes gradually became more and more fun. I was learning how to quickly create new characters and storylines. Even then, I felt like I wasn’t good enough. After each class, Kevin would ask me, “How’s Mom?” I would tell him what I could and couldn’t do. I didn’t really know myself yet. But one night, I realized that I could do it well.

We are acting out a scene based on an imaginary jacket. On stage, a young man named Dave drapes the jacket over the body of a girl playing his girlfriend. She speaks softly and with a hint of approval about the invisible jacket.

“Is this the signature of the lead singer of the Ju Ju Bees?”

When Dave answered, "Yes," while walking proudly, Kevin screamed.

“Show me when he got that ticket.”

Suddenly, the stage was cleared of people and I was automatically pushed to the center of the stage as if by someone. Then the leader sang

I imitated his style. I shook my head and ruffled my hair. I put both hands in the air and stuck my tongue out. I walked calmly over to Dave and dug into my pocket.

He pulled out a pen and scribbled a signature on his invisible jacket.

After the performance, I looked around and noticed a strange silence. My face flushed and my inner calm returned. I looked back at the eyes that were staring at me. Suddenly, my classmates were giving me a big round of applause. My heart was so happy and light. Now I knew I didn't have to copy Meryl Streep's expressions. However, I have to say that after that night, creative situations came to me much more quickly. I immediately made an appointment to meet my son.

Queen Elizabeth ordering the funeral or Martha Stewart deciding to repaint the ceiling of the cathedral. The acting class has become something I look forward to each week. I

No longer an anchor, I am now part of a supportive team for every role I play.

Last week, at dinner, another actor in our class told me that he wanted to be with me more than anyone else, and I bragged to my family.

“He said, you know, I’m a very creative person, so it makes me better. Now I’m really good at it. I think I’m getting better at thinking, and I think this course will help me improve my math skills.” | I was so excited. My son, a college student-athlete, told me. .

"Mom, can you please hold the rosters for our son's team?"

"No, no, Mom, I can't do it," I groaned again. Kevin asked calmly.

"Mom, I know you're getting better. Right?"

Then Kevin and Ryan smiled and said in unison.

"Practice"

"I'll practice, but I'll have to practice while moaning," I replied.

Lindy Schneider