Trust and Group Levitation
The group levitation is a powerful confidence-building activity to promote empathy and collaboration, and foster team spirit.
Ask for a volunteer to stand in the middle of a group of at least eight people. Volunteer will place their feet together, cross their arms on their chest and keep their body stiff.
The rest of the group will work together to lift this person off the ground.
The group should lean the middle person backwards at first, aiming to immediately support the volunteer’s head and upper torso. Then, bending their knees and not their backs, the spotters will slip in under faller’s legs and upper torso and lift together to haul their trusting colleague off the ground.
Lifting together, the group then slowly elevates the volunteer’s body off the ground to shoulder height. Once comfortable, the group then starts rocking the person’s body back and forth (from head to toe) several times.
After about 15 to 20 seconds, the group lowers the person gently to the ground. Repeat these steps with as many volunteers who wish to participate.
Important!: It’s good practice to assign a dedicated person to look after the head and neck of the ‘elevated’ – not only are they critical anatomical bits, but are likely to flop around uncomfortably during the exercise if support is not offered.
Moment of Reflection
- How did it feel to be the person levitated off the ground? What was your most significant part of the levitation experience? Why?
- What were you aware of during the levitation?
- As a spotter, what was necessary to make this exercise work for everyone? How did it feel to support another person who was completely dependent on you?
- What helped you to feel comfortable (or uncomfortable) during the exercise?
- Can any parts of our discussion apply to the success and performance of your group?
The topics of this publication: teamwork, trust, integration, reflection, empathy, cooperation, collaboration, adaptability skills, foster relationships, adaptation
