KNOW YOUR SELF

Master Emotional Access

Great acting requires authentic emotion. But how do you cry on cue? How do you access anger, joy, or fear reliably without forcing it, indicating, or causing unreasonable harm to yourself?

Know Your Self is an emotional journal designed to help actors identify, track, and understand their emotional triggers in everyday life, as well as intentionally trigger them on demand.

This isn't therapy. It's practical emotional training.

Tips & Tricks for a Safe, Sustainable Practice

• Learn a multitude of ways to intentionally and safely trigger emotions

• Powerful guiding principles to keep in mind

• Pitfalls to avoid

Daily Emotional Tracking

• Space to track what triggered emotions each day, whether from life events or intentional practice

Building Your Emotional Catalog

• Document moments of joy, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, and more

• Discover which memories, experiences, and imaginings trigger which emotions

• Create a personal reference library for future work

What This Workbook Provides

✓ Actors struggling with emotional access
They feel blocked to their feelings

✓ Actors who indicate instead of feeling
They fake it with their face or voice

✓ Actors with limited emotional range
They have trouble accessing certain feelings

✓ Actors preparing for emotional roles
Create your personal reference guide for your emotional life

✓ Actors in ongoing training
Perfect complement to weekly classes

✓ Self-directed learners
Practice emotional work between coachings

Who This Workbook is For

What Makes This Workbook Different

It Stands Alone

Know Your Self is a first-of-its-kind emotional journal for actors.

It's Actor-Specific

Emotional triggering is intensely personal. What saddens one person may enrage another and have no effect on yet another. This journal will aid you in figuring out and cataloguing what triggers you..

It's Psychology-Based

Grounded in how emotions actually work, not mystical concepts.

It Prioritizes Mental Health

You're not pressured to repeatedly relive trauma. You're tasked with deciding for yourself what's safe to use, and given tools to access those emotions and supplement areas where you may be lacking.

It Works Alongside Training

Use this alongside classes and coachings. Bring your observations to sessions. Apply what you're learning to scenes.

Ready to Transform Your Acting?

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What People Are Saying

"Know Your Self is my personal acting journal that comes with me everywhere. It simultaneously validates all the emotions I experienced while being a vessel for triggers that I get to use in my work!"

-Ava P., Working Actor

"Before Braden’s technique, I didn’t have a real tangible method for my craft. I dabbled in some here and there, but nothing really stuck for me and I always had to alter my method depending on the scene. The reason I love the technique Braden teaches and has published is because it works no matter the scene, character or circumstance. If you’re someone who likes dissecting your craft in an analog way, you’ll definitely enjoy any or all of the BLS books."

-Shae L., Working Actor

"I take this book everywhere I go so that I can record what makes me feel. It's been so useful not only in my craft but in my real life as well. A book that is much needed for every actor."

-Sheil C., Working Actor

"Probably my favorite book of all of them and I think it's frequently overlooked. I try to "journal" my emotions into it when I realize I am having a trigger. It is so great to flip through before a scene and get my mind in the right space."

-Lindsey S., Working Actor

"The other day I was sitting there, making myself cry because I thought about what it would be like to “move on” from a relationship in my life. With tears streaming down my face, I run to my Know Your Self workbook and immediately write down my specific trigger in the “sadness” section of the book. With Know Your Self, I am able to keep track of the emotions that become fuel for a scene. In the heat of the moment, it’s not uncommon I forget all my preparation, but having triggers penned down and accessible makes accessing these deep feelings much easier."

-Ansley H., Working Actor

"Braden's book series offers a clear, codified technique for actors to quickly activate their craft and reach the heart of a scene. His no-nonsense methodology is equally valuable for high-pressure auditions and in-depth rehearsal. Braden strips away the mystery and guesswork. These books are indispensable."

-Bert H., Working Actor

"An essential workbook for any actor to have in their toolbox. The technique outlined here asks you to be thorough in your exploration of every scene, because that is the true difference between a good actor and a great one. While the analysis is specific, it is never heady and it only brings you closer to finding the true heart of the story. Now every time I have a self tape request with a crazy turnaround time, I don’t panic. I grab this book, and get to work."

-Charlie J., Working Actor

"In this book, the emotions that feel the least accessible and most elusive to me are broken down into very specific feelings and circumstances. It removes ambiguity and invites you to give yourself the answers you need. If used consistently, you'll have your way into every scene."

Lennon C., Working Actor

Do I need to be in therapy to use this?

No. However, if you're dealing with significant emotional challenges, therapy is always recommended alongside any acting training.

How long until I see results?

Most actors notice increased emotional awareness within 2-3 weeks. Those with particularly robust emotional walls often take longer, but with consistent practice, success is inevitable.

Can I use this for theatre or voiceover?

Yes. Emotional access is essential for any medium.

Do I have to share what I write?

Never. This is your private work. Some actors share insights with coaches; others keep it entirely personal.

FAQ

About the Author

Braden Lynch is a Los Angeles-based acting coach with over 10,000 hours of experience working with actors in private coaching and weekly classes. Since 2006, his clients have gone on to lead roles on Netflix, Broadway, Amazon, A24, and more. His teaching is rooted in psychology-based technique and a commitment to honest, compassionate feedback.

Learn more about Braden →

Complete your bundle with:

Being Human, the flagship BLS acting technique book

Know Your Work - Daily practice exercises for skill development

Know Your Scenes - Script analysis workbook with space for 40 scenes

Get the Complete BLS Acting Library

Coaching with Braden

The books are designed to support independent practice, but if you want to go deeper, the work doesn't have to stop there.

Braden works with actors one-on-one in private coaching and online sessions, and teaches weekly acting classes in Los Angeles for actors at all levels.

If the technique in these books resonates with you, you would do well in the studio.

Not sure if this is right for you? Book a $25 introductory evaluation. The fee is credited toward your next service purchase.