Bird Lofting
Time Allowance: 30 Minutes
Equipment Needed: An open area inside or outside. (For some groups gym mats might be useful.)
Steps
1. Form an oblong circle around a volunteer who is lying, face up, on the ground.
2. That person is asked what kind of bird he/she would like to be, (size, color, feather shape, etc).
3. Once this information is shared with the group, the "bird" stiffens its body, with arms at its side.
4. The other group members place their palms underneath the bird‚s body and slowly lift/loft the bird as high as the group decides. Be sure to tell the members to lift with their legs and not their backs.
5. Move the bird back and forth with a gentle swaying motion. As the group does this, let the bird down very slowly, swaying back and forth, until the bird is resting on the ground.
6. Bird "lofters" should be very quiet.
Processing Issues
Communication Skills
Cooperation
Trust
Individual and Group Initiative