Balloon Mirroring

This is a good exercise to do when you’re mid-way through team building processes with your local researchers. Since there’s dancing involved, this kind of exercise usually features after the group has already dedicated some time to getting to know one another. It’s a great opener to pair with further exercises on active listening.

Balloons! And some great music (ideally without words) to inspire people. We have personally loved using some classical music because it allows them to lean into the ‘absurdity’ of the exercise a little more.

1. Blow up some balloons;
2. Get people in pairs and give each pair a balloon;
3. Each pair assigns an A and B person. Tell A’s their only task is to dance with the balloon to the music. They cannot hold the balloon between their hands but they must always maintain contact with it. Meanwhile B’s are instructed to try and mimic the movements of A as gracefully and in harmony as possible. They should try not to look directly at A but rather, glimpse them from the corner of their eye as they move. This is a dance after all!
4. Play music for about 2 minutes. Then ask them to switch roles.
5. After they’ve had some practice, you can ask for three pairs to do the exercise in front of the rest of the group while the others observe.
6. Repeat so that everybody has the chance to perform.
7. Debrief on the experience. You might ask:
   1. What did experience dancing with the balloon?
   2. How did it feel to mirror your partner?
   3. What did you learn from watching others do the exercise?
   4. What do you think this has anything to do with research?
8. You might want follow this exercise with an exercise/reflection on active listening.

Since it’s dance, it can be uncomfortable for some people. It also might be more challenging in an environment where there are people with disabilities or older people (that being said we had a 60 year old rock it in our last course!). If there are disabilities involved, include rolling chairs or other items.

It’s a good idea to practice dancing with a balloon. Try it out yourself and then bring other people – your friend, roommate, mom, partner, whoever!

Here are a couple of songs you could use for this exercise:

Milonga del Angel – Amarantos Quartet

Opera Barcarolle – Jacques Offenbach