what is Sense

Memory?
And what does it have to do with
acting???

By Preeti Gupta
 INTRODUCTION

Welcome to “Sense Memory Basics"! As a teacher of acting who specializes in the

Lee Strasberg Method, I keep talking to people who are all really curious about
Sense Memory and Method acting.

Since it is easily the most talked about acting technique in the world, Method acting
draws different reactions and everyone has something to say about it, there’s a lot
of information which floats around.

I often hear students be confused about Method Acting and the Lee Strasberg
Method, and they always misunderstand the word “sense memory”. So I decided to
write this guide to help you understand clearly what sense memory is.

I have been a student and a teacher of method acting and sense memory is a tool
on which I rely all the time. Whether I am in auditions or I have to craft a
complicated role like Leela in “Unfreedom” or I have to reach emotional intensity
like I had to in “Shoorveer” (click here).

Acting is not a mental exercise, it’s something which is learnt in the body and
learning this craft involves a lot of training within the physical instrument.

Sense memory exercises, crafted by Lee Strasberg, are designed to boost

concentration and sensitivity by tapping into your senses. These exercises ignite
your imagination, triggering natural impulses, gestures, and behaviors that fuel
genuine creativity, rather than resorting to mechanical or fake imitations of reality.

Sense memory is a building block and a primary exercise for training the physical
instrument to be able to emote more powerfully and to open those channels.

It’s fun, it’s effective and it’s your best friend when just the text is not evoking any
emotional response in you.

In this e-book, I’ll be sharing the basics of sense memory, so you know clearly what
it’s all about and it stops being a mysterious thing. It’s not. Method acting is fun,
simple and effective.

I believe anyone can act with the right set of tools. If you have that dream, the
correct training, technique and discipline can make it happen. You just need the
correct form and information.
Nothing makes me happier than empowering actors with the right set of tools to
help them become amazing. Sense memory will help you be truthful in
performances.

I have been a professional actor for 16 years and I’ve acted in TV, film and theatre.
I’ve won awards and done some amazing international work. But sense memory is
what I go back to again and again. Training the senses and the body is a lifelong
practice in my journey.

This book is a gift from me to you for your acting journey.

I have kept it short and light so you can get the basics, have fun, read and enjoy.

If you like the book and want to read more from me then you can see my other
book “Mastering Character Work.”

If just a book isn’t enough and you are the kind who wants to dive deeper into the
technique in class with me and learn it first hand, then click here.

I’d love to see you in class and teach you all these things personally.

Till then keep dreaming.

And remember If you dream it, you are destined of it.

Here’s to all your dreams coming true and your massive success.

Preeti Gupta
Founder and CEO
 WHAT IS SENSE MEMORY?

Sense memory refers to the memories stored within our bodies. Our body receives
information from the world through our senses, and this information is stored
within us. It's the taste of your grandmother's cooking or the smell of a lover's
perfume. Unlike intellectual thoughts, sense memories are feeling-based
experiences.

In today's world, we often find ourselves stuck in our minds. However, if we allow
our physical and nervous systems to relax, these sense memories can come alive.
We can then use them to create more truthful and authentic performances in
acting.

WHY PRACTISE SENSE MEMORY

Practicing these exercises helps you build both physical and mental discipline. By
focusing on imaginary objects and activities, you keep your mind and body actively
engaged. This practice helps you understand your senses more deeply, giving you
two benefits, one of becoming more present and second, developing focus and
concentration
 HOW TO PRACTICE

[Link] an Object or Activity

- Start with something simple and familiar, like a cup of coffee, a favorite piece of
clothing, or writing a letter.

2. Engage Your Senses

- Close your eyes and imagine the object or activity in detail. Visualize its
appearance, feel its texture, smell its scent, listen to any associated sounds, and, if
applicable, imagine its taste.
- Spend a few minutes focusing on each sense. For example, if you choose a cup
of coffee, imagine as though you are holding the real cup in your hands and feel
the warmth, the smell, the taste and the look of the coffee and the cup.

3. Stay Focused
- Keep your mind anchored in the present moment, focusing on each sensory
detail without letting your thoughts wander.
- Practice mindfulness by bringing your attention back to the senses whenever it
drifts.

4. Notice Emotions
- As you immerse yourself in the sensory details, you might start to feel certain
emotions. Acknowledge these feelings without getting lost in them, and gently
return your focus to the sensory experience.
 BENEFITS

Enhanced Sensitivity
- By regularly practicing these exercises, you’ll start to notice more about the
world around you, making your observations sharper and more detailed.

Connections
- You’ll build a stronger connection to your characters and scenes, allowing for
more authentic and emotionally rich performances.

Improved Focus
- Your ability to concentrate on the present moment will improve, helping you
stay grounded during performances.

Emotional Access
- These exercises help you access genuine emotions that can be used to infuse
your characters with depth and realism.

PRACTICAL TIPS

Be Patient

- Developing your sensory awareness and emotional depth takes time and
consistent practice. Don’t rush the process.

Stay Committed

- Dedicate time each day to these exercises. The more you practice, the more
natural and effective they will become.

Be Bold

- Don’t be afraid to explore new feelings and sensations during these exercises.
Use them as opportunities to develop qualities like empathy, curiosity, courage,
daring, and self-awareness.
IF one has to see the entire range of The Method Acting Exercises
There are over 25 of them with increasing degrees of complexity and as we
progress we start combining them as well.
Tapping into sensory experiences helps creating authentic performances.
 SOME BASIC SENSE MEMORY EXERCISES

1. Breakfast Drink Exercise or commonly called “ The coffee cup” Focuses on

recalling the sensory details of a specific drink.

2. Mirror/Make-Up or Shaving Exercise - Involves sensory recall of looking

into a mirror while applying makeup or shaving.

3. Personal Object Exercise - Uses a personally significant object to evoke

sensory memories and emotions.

4. Place Exercise - Recreates the sensory details of specific places, such as

childhood locations.

[Link] sensation - Creates an overall feeling like weather or drunk; a feeling

which is felt in the whole body.

There are other exercises such as the Animal Exercise, Need Exercise, Music
Exercise, and various advanced sense memory exercises designed by Lee
Strasberg

The most talked about amongst them is Emotional Memory Exercise which
Focuses on recalling emotional experiences and the associated sensory details.

I tell my students that this particular exercise is like doing a dead lift with 250
kgs and you don’t start with this ever.
 IMPORTANT NOTE

If you attend an acting class and they make you start with emotional memory,
please know they are not doing something correct.

This is a very advanced exercise and can only be done with supervision after
training the senses with the basic exercises.
It’s a systematic technique and you should do things step by step. Please only
work with teachers who are correctly trained. Always inquire about their
background and teaching experience.

It’s very important to do sense memory exercises in class under the supervision of
a teacher to get benefits from it. Something like coffee cup, rain and sunshine is
fine but more advanced exercises need proper technique and should not be tried
by yourself.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Real senses will always trump sense memory, so let’s say you are holding an
imaginary cup, leave the space for the handle, do not touch your finger and your
thumb. Because if you do that the mind cannot suspend the disbelief. You won’t
get into the exercise properly

2. When you are doing mirror and shaving/ make up for example, do not touch
your actual skin with your fingers. No! keep a bit of a distance.

3. Without relaxation there is no sensory exploration. The nervous system and the
body being relaxed is a pre- requisite for this. So doing the Strasberg relaxation is
a MUST.

[Link] are very personal and the actor must practice them from a space of non
judgement and purely from an observational point of view.
 CONCLUSION

I started writing this as a one pager and now it has become a mini book, As
always I wanted to pack in so much. My goal is at that by the end of reading this
guide, you should know exactly what sense memory is.
I will say again what I say always

Acting can only be learnt by doing and trying

Repetition is the mother of all skills

So only by doing will you learn. anything of the body has to be done and
practiced, that's the only way to learn.

The First step is to just become more present and aware about your life, and
see what you smell, taste, touch and feel. Start observing your sensory
experience of the world. Remember, being present, observant and being alive
with your senses is very important for actors. It’s something I do 24/7.

If this excites you and you want to learn method acting in a proper systematic
way and getting deep into the craft is your style..then click here to work with
me.. I have designed courses and workshops where along with method acting I
teach you solid inner child reworking and mindset development, all things
essential for your acting journey..

You can also Grab our e-book "Mastering Character Work “ Available in both
English and Hindi, it’s your roadmap to connecting deeper with your characters
and creating authentic performances.

Enjoy this amazing exploration and make it a part of your life.

Here’s to your massive success and a wonderful acting career!

Preeti Gupta
Founder and CEO
 About The Author

Preeti Gupta is the founder of The Method Acting Academy. She spent seven
years mastering the Lee Strasberg Method at the renowned Lee Strasberg
Theatre and Film Institute in New York, under mentors Geoffrey Horne and
Robert Ellerman.

She taught advanced acting at Actors Technique, New York from 2017 to 2020
and was a visiting faculty member at Lee Strasberg New York from 2021 to
2023. Preeti has also coached actors for projects like "Crashh" on ZEE5.

As the first South Asian director at LSTFI, Preeti directed “Katha”, a production
celebrating India and its cultural history in June’23 in New York at the Marylin
Monroe theatre.
She launched The Method Acting Academy in 2022 to bring the Strasberg
Method to India.

On screen, she’s known for her roles in indie films like "A New Christmas,"
"Proof," and "Unfreedom," earning international acclaim. Preeti has been a
regular on the New York stage with standout roles in "Hedda Gabler," "Romeo
and Juliet," and more.

In her workshops, Preeti guides actors through Method Acting techniques,

emphasizing backstories, character arcs, and genuine emotions to bring
characters to life authentically.

In her free time she likes to vegetate and contemplate about cheese.