So, You Want To Be An Actor-But Acting Isn't For You

How Can You Be An Actor Without Learning These World's 6 Best Techniques? 

The best 6 acting techniques to learn

Warning! Only for earnestly focused actors

Acting

• Acting is a skill, therefore there must be some sort of method behind it! Then, anyone who has studied acting learns that this “method” actually refers to about six different major acting techniques and that actors are meant to figure out  which works best for them. There are more than 6 acting techniques I have mentioned below. Learning different techniques looks like an obvious and straightforward approach to the art of acting but let me warn you it can instantly turn into a daunting, confusing, and consuming task.

• However, speaking from a young actor’s point of view, it is not as bad as it may seem. The process of discovering which acting technique suits you best, partly or none can be challenging; but it can also be an amazing opportunity to discover "self"-what's your type, style and your inhibitions which could be extremely rewarding.

• The first thing anyone needs to know is that this “method acting” of which every acting teacher speaks, was originally developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. Stanislavsky was a Russian actor, director, and mentor who lived from 1863-1938. He was the first man to propose the idea that there was a step by step, calculated process to the art of acting. It is the process of  living truthfully in an imaginary circumstance, as developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. Through the years , however, this original method has been changed and adapted by practicing actors and teachers and from it has branched the six major techniques. Nonetheless, to understand any technique, you must understand where it originated, and that origin is Stanislavsky’s method.

1. The Stanislavsky System

Much of the Stanislavsky system revolved around the script itself. Stanislavsky believed that by breaking down the script you could further understand the character and the emotional qualities would evolve through this process. He said that-

• The first thing needed to developing a character was to identify the characters super-objective. This is the overall goal that the character wants to achieve.
• The next step would be to identify the obstacles or the things that can prevent the character from achieving his/her goal.
• Third would be to identify the tools or methods used to overcome these obstacles.
• Finally, the script would then typically be broken down into units and bits. These are small objectives and methods used to reach the overall goal; bits make up the units, and the units make up the whole. Lastly, one would define actions for each line. These are identified through action verbs so there is a clear focus on what the goal is line by line.

2. The Chekhov Technique

(Personally, I swear by this technique)

• In our fast-moving film, television, and theater industry, we actors are continually asked for "quick results." 
• We must be emotionally available, learn our lines rapidly, and fill our characters with the objectives and desires of a multilayered human being—all without much preparation time. 
• Now more than ever, the deciding factor in a successful audition or performance is the actor's ability to call upon focused inspiration at a moment's notice. 
• After all, inspiration leads to real, organic, surprising, fresh performances. 
• How is such focused inspiration readily achieved? It was Michael Chekhov's lifelong endeavor to answer this question.

Mikhail Chekhov worked very closely with Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theatre. He is considered to be Stanislavsky's greatest pupil, however, his approach to acting is inherently different. I as an actor and an acting coach found it is both extremely rewarding but hard to explain.

The Chekhov Technique revolves around the use of the imagination and the actor’s physical connection to his imagination, his intuition, and mind as one whole, cooperative unit. Perhaps the most important detail in this technique is the use of the imagination. The actor must be able to imagine great images and sensations within himself and his surroundings and be able to immerse himself in these imaginings to perform any of this acting method.

Rather than going into the details, I have summarized his technique in a simple way for everybody to understand. I apologize to all Chekhov experts if they feel I'm diluting what Michael Chekhov, the Great Teacher stood for.

The Technique

A deep and elaborate analysis of a script and the character has to be made by an actor.
To practice and apply Chekhov technique, an actor should have
A well-developed power of imagination
Good emotional sensitivity and an ability to create an imaginary center in the chest, a source which receives and generates physical and emotional responses to external stimuli (situations in life and in a script as the story unfolds)
To identify and aware of an actor's own physical and mental essence, set of his /her physical and emotions actions (archetype) to situations
Learn and practice physical (Body) and Psychological Gesture (Mind-PG) To free your body and mind to be an empty glass. This will help an actor to transform into and adopt a character's physical gesture while exhibiting similar emotional responses as that of a character.
In summary, in Chekhov technique, the actor physicalizes a character’s need (with imagination, felt and generated by the center in the chest) or internal dynamic in the form of an external gesture.

Benefits of Learning Michael Chekhov Technique

The actor's ability to get focused inspiration at a moment's notice for a successful audition or performance . After all, inspiration leads to real, organic, surprising, fresh performances.

3. The Meisner Technique

Sanford Meisner, the founder of the technique, defines acting as "living (or doing) truthfully under imaginary circumstances". A lot of people think of Meisner as 'repetition technique' exercises, but that is only its most basic form. What the technique really stresses is the reality of doing. Emotion, Meisner teachers believe, is brought to the surface through the action. Because acting is, essentially, performing a series of actions, the Meisner technique stresses the importance of putting your all into those actions. Listening and responding truthfully to what your acting partner is saying fall under the category of active doing. To build characters from that place of truthful response. It's listening and listening carefully and responding to doing

4. The Stella Adler Technique

Stella Adler was an actress who studied under Stanislavsky. However, Adler did not believe, like Stanislavsky had, that an actor needed to relive past experiences to connect to the play. She developed her own method in which the major belief was that an actor had to rely on his/her imagination to fully believe in the circumstances of the play. Adler believed that acting is doing and that you must constantly be performing an action and in doing so, find a conflict in this action. Every action done must have justification.

5. The Uta Hagan Method.

Much of Hagan’s approach revolves around specialized exercises to improve behavior in a given circumstance. Another thing we focused on was “the moment before,” in which we would have to identify specifically what happened before the moment the scene began and consider how this would affect us at the start of the present scene. An exercise used to explore this is one known as “Three Entrances” in which a student comes through a door three separate times, each time using a different moment before. After entering through the door the student would only react to that moment before- the moment unseen- and then the exercise would end.
Utah Hagan also used Stanislavsky’s approach to breaking down the script and applied the “as if” technique as well.

6. Viola Spolin

Viola Spolin’s “theater games” approach inspires students to respond immediately and live in the moment. Her technique focuses on self-direction and improvisation, and she’s considered a driving force of improv as we know it in the United States.

The Other techniques, the discussion of which in detail are beyond the scope of this post are:

The Suzuki Method: 
Suzuki is a Japanese movement technique designed within their bodies to portray the characters. The exercises are extremely taxing on the lower body.

The Linklater Technique: 
The focus is on voice, being an important factor in a convincible performance.

The Alexander Technique: 
It is a method that empowers the actor to become aware of the physical habits that impede performance and to transform those habits thus improving breathing coordination and vocal production, facilitating the creation of the physical life of characters with ease and allowing fuller emotional expression.

Okay, so now you know a little bit about the major acting techniques but are you getting confused? How to select the best which suits me?

Recommendations

1. There is no better resource to learn acting than your “Own-self”. Why? Because of The very nature of the art is interactive - not just reading , memorizing, mimicking or copying like in a physics or history class with a large group of students. Then, don't forget, you are unique with no second "You" in the world. So, you need is what suits you best 
2. The acting schools or acting coaches give great material, can be the facilitator to help you learn acting techniques, motivate, initialize response and make you practice
3. Having helped several up and coming young actors I would recommend a video camera to self-tape on a weekly basis. Ask a friend to play casting director, find a variety of scenes from produced scripts online. Practice, practice, practice. Research, research, research your part. Get more and more comfortable in front of a camera. Find someone to give you expert critiques so you can hone your craft. Source

How to develop your own acting style?

Steps:

1. Develop the power of imagination and dreaming
2. Focus on observation and concentration:
-Visit public places like the garden, railway stations, zoo, museums etc and observe  people closely notes their physical profile.  Then create the story on them (their house, family, conflicts ,profession etc). Become a part of the story. Come home and practice
- Play word game- write any 10 words on a piece of paper, close your eyes and put finger on any word. Create a story on that word and deliver and act that story with action in front of a mirror or to a friend
3.  Watch animals or anything and create a story
4. Go on practicing physical and mental exercises you have learned from your acting coach
5. Focus on improvisation (Improv-enacting a scene without any written script) and practice

Related post

What should be your acting technique?

Legendary Teacher Stanislavsky and Greatest Bruce Lee

Before learning and practicing different acting technique, know the TRUTH about acting techniques

What’s The Ultimate And Best Acting Method?

These are my well-tested views based on long experience as an actor and as an acting coach

“Create your own method. Don’t depend slavishly on mine. Makeup something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you”~Konstantin Stanislavsky

Without a doubt, the absolute best acting method is the one that produces the results that the director needs.
A fusion (combining different styles) approach is probably the one that is most likely to serve your needs. However, it’s important that this hybrid method is not just a hodge-podge pick ‘n’ mix of random techniques that you like, it’s things that are tried and tested ‘in battle’ and deliver tremendous results.

As the actor Bruce Lee once said, “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless".

I have pretty strong beliefs on acting. I think I teach a technique suited to an archetype (a typical example) of an individual student that works incredibly well. But I cannot change the fact that different methods suit different personalities. And if you can’t get out of your own way, then no acting method can help, and you’ll just go on an endless tour of acting classes or acting coaches looking for the answer to a problem the answer of which is inside you.

I believe any technique that gives you access to unrestrained creativity, that raises your self-awareness, that helps you build confidence and trust yourself works. And these are such personal, individual things – and that’s why different acting techniques and methods suit different people.

What is technique? 

It’s something to help you move between where you are and where you want to be. Acting technique is something to employ when your current skills and abilities can’t get you there.  The absolute best acting method is the one that does just that – it shortens the gap between your performance goal in a scene and where you are now. Between the performance, you’re giving, and the performance you want.

The Method, Meisner Technique, Viewpoints, Lecoq, Grotowski, PEM, Practical Aesthetics, Suzuki, Mindset Acting Technique – it really doesn’t matter what you call it. It has to bring you the results you need.
We shall be discussing these techniques in the next post
 (Join us to learn these techniques)

Use anything that works, but do not hold it so tight that you would lose your flexibility, nor too loose that it would fly from your hand when tested.
Source

What Are 9 Emotions And 42 Attitudes And How To Play

Emotions and Attitudes

• Are you serious being a great  actor and know the technique of how to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances created in the script?
• Can you portray all types of  people with different attitudes you see around?
• Can you display different types of emotions, instantly?

Remember, Emotions Affect Attitudes and Behaviors of a character in a script

The simple solution is to develop the power of imagination and transformation into a new life called "A Character"

Dialogues in a script, creating imagined thoughts

How to imagine and create emotions from the script

How to plan and prepare!

1. Develop a strong habit of "observation" and concentration of watching people keenly say on the road, bust stand, garden, shops. Note emotions and attitudes exhibited.
2. Note down or record on mobile such observation
3. Maintain a mental data bank by practicing what you have observed
4. When the need arises to create a character from a script,  imagine "IF I AM THAT PERSON" how will I behave?

Below are the various emotions and attitudes. You must understand each and practice.

Which are 9 Emotions?

1. Comedy

Which produces laughter, makes people happy and gives pleasure. In emotions which are comical, everything is at a higher level, faster and illogical. The bizarre, unexpected and opposite responses could be funny. You need a presence of mind and great timing to play comedy!

2. Astonishment (Wonderment)

An expressive reaction of wonder, magic, space falling, unusual sighting in the sky and  astonishing thoughts. Exhibited by popping eyes, raised eyebrows and open mouth

3. Disgust

Emotions due to seeing something dirty, hearing dirty or smelling dirty.
For example, irritating man, subject, story or some foul thing

4. Fear

Emotions due to some frightful happening, seeing blood, visiting a burial ground in the night, a sudden frightful sound in a silent night or someone approaching to kill you

5. Peace/ tranquility

The character of a priest, Pujari or a saint, visiting a temple or a church, giving sermons.
A man or a woman with a tranquil voice and smooth and deliberate gestures

6. Love

A person with twinkling eyes, lost and not in the "present', talking to a person, but doesn't know what she/he is talking about with wife, girlfriend or we can call it "a lover's love". The others are for the mother, daughter, brother's son and so on. In each, the emotions would be different. The basic difference is - one could be called as "love" and the other could be emotions of "affection" or "attachment"- a love which is brotherly, motherly, fatherly  or even friendly

7. Sad

Death, broken love, failed in an audition or examination.
Remember that in emotions emerging out of this situation the tempo rhythm goes down. Reactions are slow

8. Brave

Shows enthusiasm, a daring, and a positive attitude. The tempo, rhythm accelerates e.g. Army officer, leader, police

9. Anger

A heightened emotion and consequent reaction e.g. If you are cheated, somebody abuses you,
People playing dirty with you. Tempo rhythm increases

Which are 42 Attitudes? 

1. Aggressive (pushing type)
2. Anxious
3. Arrogant
4. Shy
5. Confident
6. Fed up
7. Curious
8. Determined
9. Disapproving
10. Jealous
11. Dejected
12. Happy
13. Horrified
14. Hurt (physically or mentally)
15. Indifferent
16. Foolish
17. Innocent
18. Interested
19. Lonely
20. Meditative
21. Miserable
22. Obstinate
23. Optimistic
24. Puzzled
25. Regretful
26. Relieved
27. Sheepish
28. Looking suspenseful
29. Suspicious
30. Sympathetic
31. Indecisive
32. Ambitious
33. Irritating
34. Easy going
35. Imaginative
36. Humorous
37. Affectionate
38. Defeated
39. Drunk
40. Sleepy
41. Stiff neck
42. Bored

Good Luck!

You may contact us if you have any difficulty in learning and practicing these emotions and attitudes

Confused? 13 Easy Tips To Follow To Become A Good Actor

How to be a good actor

Don't just dream to be an actor and jump into the ruthless film and TV world

1. Start taking training and don't stop no matter how good you think you are or how good others tell you are, so that when you do put yourself up in front of the right people, you will be ready! Join a good school or preferably, hire an acting coach in the beginning who will focus on you alone.

2.
Research and research...Study Film and TV or commercial production industry.
Find out how it works. Find out who are casting actors, agents, and  what casting directors, coordinators look for in an actor, what the unions do, what the current trends and competition are in the industry, etc.

3.
Don't jump for any audition whether or not you meet the requirement of a "character" auditioners are looking for. It may lead to your being rejected. This is a concept you need to be familiar with! It will help you direction in  your marketing efforts.

4. Get into your head once for all that acting is a business like any other. Therefore, learn the basic business, networking, and self-promotional skills. So important! You need to make sure you stand out from everyone else. You need to be extremely persistent as well!

5. Get a portfolio made. Your headshot and other pictures exactly show who you are. No tempering to look great!

6. Learn how to audition. Auditioning and acting on set are two different beasts. Auditioning is like getting an entry ticket. It's completely different from the rest of the game.

7. Surround yourself with people who are already doing what you want and NOT with people who are trying to get what you want. You are more likely to learn from people who are already doing what you want to do. So go find them and learn from them!

8. Talk to both working actors, A: who is making a living from acting as well as.  B: to aspiring actors who have been talking a lot over the past couple of years and really haven't done very much. You can learn from both groups! From one you learn what to do. From the other, you will learn how NOT to be.

9. Stay curious and never ever think you know it all. Be good and humble. You can always get better, whether in your acting technique, auditioning, sharpening your monologue delivery, on-camera technique, learning about the industry or whatever. Never, never stop learning! Continue getting retrained from your acting coach

10. Once you start to achieve some success, help others who are in the same position you were once. You'll see that it will pay off.

11. At some point during all this, you should ask yourself (and be honest) if you really, honestly and truly have the passion for acting to DO WHAT IS NECESSARY to succeed. Without that passion much will be lost and it will be difficult for you to achieve the success you desire. And what's more, you probably won't be very happy.

12 Get registered with a good agent or with top casting directors / artist coordinators. Learn from their knowledge and experience. Follow them regularly for auditions

13. Finally, in your journey, there will be periods of considerable financial instability. Have you planned finances for the sufficient period of time? If not, then this could be a bottleneck to your long struggle.
Source

Acting Skills Needed | Acting School Or A Coach? Pick

What Special Skills Should Every Aspiring Actor Have?

Acting is a very specialized profession, and it typically requires a number of special skills.

 Memorization:

A  good memory, for instance, is one of the greatest skills that any actor can have. If acting facing a live audience, such as in a stand-up comedy or theater, actors must be able to memorize all of their lines. Movie and film actors should also be able to memorize
NOT ONLY their lines, but also of their partners as well.

Transformation

Aspiring actors should also be able to easily transform and portray a character’s emotions and personality. For example, they should be able to make others truly believe that they are the character that they portray.

Online Research Ability

Research skills are also excellent for any actor to have. These will often come in handy when researching an upcoming role in an audition, such as for a historic character.
Ability to Work Hard
Actors should also be able and willing to work hard. Before a production, actors will typically spend long hours studying a script and practicing their lines. Movie an film actor will  need to be available to work at nearly any hour of the day in any sort of weather. Some physical stunts are also required as well.

Excellent Acting Ability

Now we come to one of the most important questions- 

Should Actors Get Trained in A school Or By A Coach?

Acting Schools vs. Acting Coaches?

The right teacher whether in a class or as a private tutor can make all the difference in fulfilling your dreams to be a Bollywood Star and can provide valuable contacts and skills that will help along the way.
Acting is a specialized type of performing arts, and it generally requires a great amount of skill. Although some actors are naturally talented, it often takes some type of formal training to get the most out of these talents. Because of this, many aspiring actors choose to attend performing arts or acting schools or hire an acting coach or a mentor.

Acting Schools

1. They give you a base (a platform) to work from.
2. They give you various acting techniques that you can fall back on and recreate time after time in different situations.
3. Taking acting classes will enable you to see the other actors work, which in itself is invaluable!
4. You will see how other actors overcome some of their own issues while acting and interpreting their roles.
5. If you have a good teacher (hopefully) and can give you sufficient time individually, he can give you good, constructive and personal feedback to help you improve your craft.
6. They will give you a sense of community (colleagues) so that you know you are not alone in your quest to become an actor.
7. They will give you a group of people with whom you can exchange ideas and to whom you can ask questions and share. This group of your co-learners will help you to develop networks and information about the film industry like auditions, director and casting directors
8. If you have a good acting teacher who is known and respected in the industry, you could gain (in him/her) an ally who might help promote you, get you auditions or help you work to get seen by the right people!

Acting Coach

1. A good coach can give you a sufficient amount of time needed for you to learn or fix problems
2. A coach can create and give you solid acting techniques, based on your individual emotional, mental and physical built up that you can fall back on and recreate time after time in different situations.
3. He can help you to be able to access your emotions and learn methods to control and alter it.
4. Can create methods for quick memorization of your lines/ script
5. Can help you to see where you need to improve.
6. Can give you good, constructive and personal feedback to help you improve your craft.
7. He can make you more comfortable while performing.
8. The most important- will guide and create a marketing strategy like your website, social networking on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, for you to succeed. Will guide you on how and where to go for making your portfolio and show reel.
9. Will design a career plan suited to you and guide you on its implementation
Finally, an acting coach could be economical.

Discussion

Although, acting schools cannot design a program on an individual basis, and cannot devote hours separately to each student, the success at school will depend on the quality of faculty. The schools are a good source for learning and working in a group with other students with distinct advantages. Secondly, these schools could be a good source for networking and getting information about auditions, castings, and industry.
Whereas, with an acting coach, as each individual is different and unique, each aspiring or even experienced male or female actor can learn and develop amazingly well with an individual coaching. A coach is your mentor and a friend who walks with you to help you to win as it is in the case of a sports coach. You can share your problems, worries and fix them without any fear of a crowd around. The coach may understand your psyche and can design a learning program. You may terminate an acting coach contract after the period or may continue seeking his/her guidance for a long period.

Conclusion

1. Taking into account that acting school courses may range from a few months to a few years with the fees from Rs 50,000 to 9 Lacks, I would recommend:
2. The beginners may join an acting coach for an individual, personalized and focused attention. Or both together if they can afford.
3. Experienced and working actors but not trained formally may join a good acting school. They may hire an acting coach for a specific objective like how to act with a group (a scene with multiple characters), how to excel in auditions, portraying emotions or how to develop the power of Imagination and transform instantly into a different life (Character)
Based on http://bestactoracademy.blogspot.com

Joining Acting Schools? Don't Throw Money | Learn How To Select

One of the Top International actor Al Pacino in one of the best acting school-NYFA

Before You Jump And Throw Money, Remember:

• An acting school / institute can train you in an acting craft and help you as a catalyst. However, do not be under this false hope that they can give you acting jobs.
• Film or  TV episodic  or even commercial ads and documentaries sometimes require huge investments of millions of Dollars and under no circumstances, they can compromise with the characters of their story and be foolish to take actors based on recommendations or on any other considerations. In any good production house or any reputed casting director’s auditions, the selection is based solely on merit and how best and closely you transform into the story’s character among hundreds of other applicants. How can they risk and compromise production’s success factors ? No way!
• It is a large number of cheaters and fraudsters who throw baits to young aspiring and innocent actors who fall prey to such alluring offers due to their desperate dreams to be an actor at any cost.

Some of the important feature that you must look for while selecting the right cinema school or mass communication institute or a radio and tv school.

Infrastructure

It is always good to enroll yourself at a film school that has facilities like the studios, preview center, post-production labs and other facilities. You must also take notice of the fact that the facilities are up to the mark and meet the standards of professional works.

Training Procedure

You should carefully study the training procedures of the film or journalism schools. Preference should always be given to the institutes with more practical oriented training procedures. Especially while selecting among the digital film schools you should look for the digital equipment of latest technology.

Industry Exposure

One of the aspects that are instrumental in shaping your career as a filmmaker or media professional is the exposure to the industry. More and more faculties and counselors from the industry mean more industry exposure. You not only gain from their experience but also build up contacts, which prove to be beneficial in the future.

Cost

Cost is obviously a great concern in the film and television training. Though it is a very expensive field of study, still you must find out the best things and in less price. In respect to the international film schools you get relatively cheaper but quality film education in India.

Before you choose an acting school, go through these steps and then ask discretely the following questions to the concerned  people at the establishment.

Four Important Steps

1. Do a proper online research on the school / institute. Look for reviews
2. Ask questions under comments in acting blogs and websites on schools. Read comments of other aspiring actors related to schools
3. Keep in mind you are joining an acting school and not a school to learn physics or history or French. Acting is a fine art and a game of emotions, reactions and portraying different life than yours. Every actor response to learning acting differs. Some transform quickly while others take time ( Like suddenly crying, fear, instant comedy etc). Be careful if a class has too many students. Though good for scene enacting and group practice, a class with 10 or 20 students may be counter-productive for many beginners.
4. Then visit schools /institutes personally and be a detective. Ask discretely on a suggested pattern questions. The best source could be student counselors (If they have one) or another way is to be pally with receptionists ( I call them ‘gatekeepers’).  It is important to go through the facilities of a number of film schools and journalism schools so that you can get the best of the training because it is the most vital step to launch your career in Bollywood / Hollywood or other forms of media.

A. Who is the teaching faculty? Their background (their films etc) eg director, producer, 

cinematographer, production, actor etc. and their reputation as A TEACHER / COACH?

B. How much time they devote to training? 1 hour, 3 hours each day when classes are held?

C. How many students are in a class and what’s the time duration of each class eg 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or more? Calculate how much time each student gets to learn.

D. What's the syllabus? Is it individualized? (I don’t think they have sufficient time to do this).
What do they teach under acting for a camera?

E. What if you need help after passing out for a school? Like audition sources, production houses, casting directors etc.

F. What’s the fee and duration? If it’s high eg 2 Lakhs or 9 Lakhs then why? What extra or good they provide which others don’t offer?

G. Do they have weekend classes? (For working actors)

Top 12 International Acting Schools In The World

1. Juilliard School, New York City

2. Yale School of Drama, New Haven

3. Oxford School of Drama, Woodstock

4. National School of Drama, Delhi

5. Carnegie Mellon School, Pittsburg

6. Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London

7. DePaul University, Chicago

8. The Actors Studio, New York City

9. Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London

10. National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kensington, Sydney, Australia 
11. New York Film Academy, New York City, New York · Manhattan (Branch in Mumbai also)

Source for above

12. Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International, Mumbai (Reported fee: Rs. 9 Lakhs. Check current status) 

5 Logical Reasons | Why Every Actor Should Take Yoga

Yoga exercises for actors to improve acting performance

How To resolve Actor's Dilemma of Audition and On Camera Scene Filming Performance Problems

Tension,  Anxiety, Fear, Nervousness, Dryness of mouth, trembling of hands, Forgetting lines, Breathlessness, Bad Dialog Delivery

 

An actor should develop a regular yoga practice.

Fact 1.

Yoga helps the body and its muscles to respond with my emotions to enlighten acting performance

It's like practicing something since childhood, for example, a particular sport, game, hobby or the habit of daily rituals using different parts of our body. As we do these things repeatedly, it becomes our habit and we don't have to think or make a conscious effort to do it. The habit then becomes a natural reactive response to a stimulus
Yoga works the same way. By different yoga exercises, the muscles of different parts of our body starting from forehead to toe becomes free and respond automatically and instantly accompanying  our actions. So, when an actor walks into an audition, his/her performance is a response from his/her entire acting instrument ie body and mind rather than from just a part of the acting instrument

Fact 2. 

Yoga helps my brain care less

As an actor, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be in a character of the story/ script. Our minds get clogged. We try hard to perform well  worrying whether or not we would get the role. This may chain us to our thoughts and anxiety. Specific yoga exercises for actors relaxes calms our minds and  helps them let go of the person they think they're supposed to be. Then they can focus on and love who they are. This lets them work from the beginning up and be creative instead of having their head in the clouds.

Fact 3.

Yoga helps to breathe correctly to relax and create a confidence minutes before audition

Before an audition or while filming a scene, many actors feel forced faster breathing full of anxiety. This results in a poor dialog delivery or breaking of a long emotional dialog with pauses when it should not be.  Yoga gives them tools to work with their breath that acting classes never have. It’s so powerful to realize when you feel a normal relaxed breathing. A normal breathing helps actors to use the full potential of their voice and deliver dialog powerfully without any interruptions.

Fact 4. 

Yoga reminds me acting is a practice

Yoga has played a huge role in a number of cultures for thousands of years. It doesn’t belong to anyone and it deserves our respect. It makes us realize that if you practice anything (of course, “good”) regularly, it becomes our habit. This learned knowledge from Yoga will always remind
us to continue practicing acting craft till we die!
We can do this by regularly taking refresher courses in acting schools, with our acting coach or participating in various acting workshops
If I want to deepen my yoga practice I have to make it a necessity to my daily life. Now reread this little blurb and replace “yoga” with acting/performance.

Fact 5. 

Yoga helps me give thanks for my acting abilities and practice

At the end of each yoga practice, I would suggest a little prayer to yourself thanking the universe for giving me the opportunity to do yoga. Please carry this Thanking Yoga habit after exercise and especially  before every performance or class.  Close your eyes for  a second and give thanks to Yoga for the opportunity to experience my acting art. It feels good to be grateful for things that help you feel good!

8 Simple Yoga Exercises For Actors At Home

(Click to know the steps in each pose)