Description of the Method
These exercises are typically developed after an initial warm-up phase and need a facilitator, one person who leads the series of exercises and gives signals.
The group is split in two and two lines are created facing each other. Every participant has another one in front, facing him. The facilitator controls that everyone has a partner and “draws” an imaginary line in the middle. Then:
The facilitator asks the couples to start to walk toward each other and when they reach the line to turn and walk back to where they started. The participants go on waking for a while to become familiar with the space they have to walk in (how many steps, how much time, etc).
When the participants look confident in the space, the facilitator asks them to look at their partner and try to walk at the same speed and synchronise. They have to try to always keep the same distance from the imaginary line. The facilitator waits for the synchronisation of the couples.
When the couples are sufficiently synchronised and confident, the facilitator asks them to walk a little bit faster.
If the couples feel comfortable, the facilitator asks them to walk backwards as they walk away from the centre line. The couples are facing each other and they can see when the other reaches the wall: given that, If one sees the wall approach the other, she/he can stop walking backwards to indicate the need to stop to the other.
The participants reach the middle for the last time and touch hands, palm to palm, to each other to say goodbye. Then they go back to the original line and they move one position to the left (the last one from the line has to move to the opposite side). The exercise can be repeated with different partners.
The facilitator then explains briefly that the group is going to play “the mirror game” and ask the participants to stand in two lines in front of another one, face to face. In these pairs, facing each other, one participant will be the “image” and the other will be the “subject”. The centre line will be a “big mirror” between them.
The subject starts to move and the image follows trying to copy the movement as simultaneously as possible. If the participants feel comfortable they can also be asked to follow facial expressions.
After some minutes, a signal will be given (like a clap of hands) and the roles will switch. This role change can be repeated a few times.
The facilitator walks to the centerline, explaining that the big mirror has broken. The pairs can repeat the same mirroring exercise, facing each other and exchanging the role every now and then, but this time they are free to move in the space as they want.
At this point:
It is important to remind them to explore space in every direction: walking or moving from one side of the room to another but also using, when possible, different heights (laying on the ground, sitting, standing…).
When participants are confident with the mirror game, it is important to remind them to pay attention to details: the copy should be as precise as possible so they should pay attention to small movements too, such as the movement of the fingers, the facial expressions, the position of the feet…
To close the series of exercises, the group split in two. One group faces the wall and the other prepares a “sculpture” in silence: they take a position in the space, possibly in a relationship with the other components of the group (see an example in the photo below). The more complex the group sculpture the better, since the goal is to make it difficult for the other team to recreate it exactly. The other group turns and has 30 seconds to recreate the same sculpture with their bodies. The facilitator then assigns a point if the copy is good. After that, the group switches roles and the game is repeated.
Another possible way to end the series of exercises is “the happy mirror”.
The group is still divided into groups and the facilitator asks them to use their eyes to quickly find a partner in the other group.
When everyone has a partner, the facilitator asks them to start to move, mirroring each other (remaining in the group) using happy faces or happy movement: “You really like what you see in the mirror, you are really happy about what you see and you are happy to be like this”.
After the closing part, the energy can be lowered by asking participant to sit in a circle and giving them some reflection questions like:
How did you feel in the two roles? What changes did you notice? Was there a role in which you felt more comfortable?
How did you feel in the relationship with different partners? Did you notice changes?
How did your body feel in taking others' positions and movements?
Things to Keep in Mind
In these series of exercises, it’s important to explore movements, different positions, different parts of the space, and different heights. It’s, then, particularly important that the participants are reminded to:
Listen to your body's needs, pain, and rigidity
Only perform the movements they can do, considering their body characteristics. Remind the group to always listen to their own body, respect their physical limits, and avoid movements that can injure them.
Remember that, these exercises should be performed after a body warming.
It’s also important to notice that these kinds of activities can be more challenging since they require a major interaction with others: it is possible that groups, especially newly formed ones, need some repetition before being able to really explore space and relationships with these exercises.
Sources & Resource
Here on the right you can see a video of this activity.
Videos are also available with Estonian and Italian subtitles.
Our Conclusion from Testing
In our experience, these exercises can lead to several reflections of both the person on her/himself and of the entire group (for example, do I like more to lead or to follow? How do I feel about moving as my partner? How is my body reacting?).
It is important, in our opinion, to allow participants to explore both roles every time the exercises are performed. A certain level of shyness can emerge the first time these exercises are performed, also if the group isn’t newly formed but it should decrease in time, with repetition of the same exercises, leaving participants more free to experiment.
As it can be difficult for some people to engage in this practice, the trainer should always consider the characteristics of the group and keep an eye on possible signs of discomfort. The exercises can be presented in different sessions and with graduality.
