November 16, 2015 - 16:42
To shape the silence at the beginning of class a number of weeks ago, I chose to lead a mirroring exercise. Here's the script I wrote and used:
"Find someone in the class who you haven't really looked at before. In academia, we don't often take the time to see each other. Find a space in the room to stand in your pair, where you can move your body. Choose an A and a B. B's are going to 'lead' first. You're going to move your body, and As are going to mirror you. Try to be generous when doing this--don't make big movements just to challenge your partner--this should be something that is doable for both of you, and the goal is to be mirroring each other so closely that an observer wouldn't be able to easily determine, just from looking at you, which one of you is leading. Although B's are starting to lead, let it flow naturally--sometimes A might naturally become the leader, and sometimes you might feel like you are leading together. This is a good thing--it means you're in sync. Try to keep eye contact the whole time, trusting your peripheral vision to pick up arm and leg movements. Try not to laugh--but if you do, forgive yourself, take a breath, and keep going. This activity should be as silent as possible. We're going to do this for 3 minutes, and then we're going to find another partner."
Debrief Questions:
- What did this feel like, generally?
- What did it it feel like to lead? What did it feel like to follow?
- Did you ever find that the leader in the pair shifted? Did you ever feel like you were leading together?
- What was it like to make eye contact the whole time?