Trust Progression
From WildWiki
TRUST Return to Mountain Curriculum Return to First 3 Days at Moon Lake
The Trust Progression is a staple of experiential education programs. It establishes an atmosphere of positively, focus, and mutual reliance and support. There are a number of different options within the progression, but remember to see it as a PROGRESSION. That is, a series of activities that gradually build trustfulness and trustworthiness. Also recognize the limitations of your group and what might be an appropriate level of challenge
Trust Progression
Objective: This is a gradual progression of physically-oriented trust activities culminating in either the body lift, willows, or trust fall. Key Facilitation Points: relationship building, positive communication, trust worthiness and trustfulness, communication, support, teamwork, surrender, asking for help, and safety.
Lean-In
Objective: Have parts. partner up with someone about the same height and face off. They will apply pressure on each other by leaning in towards each other with arms outstretched and hands clasped. When they are comfortable with that they can take steps backward. Variation: have partners lean-in and touch elbows, thus requiring a committed forward lean. Precursor to the Low V’s Initiative.
Lean Back
Objective: In this activity the facilitator must introduce the spotters stance before doing the event. It requires a series of commands to be communicated between the spotter and the leaner. Depending on the level of the group, you may want to start with hands on back, then move to hands off. Leaners hands should be crossed in front of chest. The commands are: Spotter Ready? Spotter Ready! Jane Leaning. Lean-On Jane!
Bookends
Objective: This activity is a take-off of the backward lean. In groups of three, have one leaner in the middle and two spotters in front and in back (bookends). With the same commands as above, leaner gets passed forward and back (gently) by levering on heels and toes and standing stiff as a board. Group rotates positions until all have had the opportunity to try it.
Willows
Objective: An extension of Bookends, this is a great low-impact activity for groups that are more physically challenged. The exercise uses 8-16 parts. per group that stand in a tight circle with the “leaner” in the center. Remaining stiff with feet together, the center person “falls” slowly in any direction. Before she moves very far off center, the circle of people re-direct her to another part of the circle (gently). The fall-catch-pass sequence continues in a gentle fashion until it is obvious the person in the center is relaxing.
Body Lift
Objective: This is a great trust activity and should be done last if it fits clients goals and outcomes. The activity involves the group lifting a (willing) part. over their heads. Specific safety steps must be taken for this activity. There must be a minimum of 4 people in each line facing each other (extras can support lifters from behind). The lifters and spotters are instructed on how to stagger their feet while lifting and spotting. They are taught how to zipper their hands and lift at the same speed and height. The person being lifted goes through the following commands: Line zippered? Line zippered! Line ready? Line ready! Jane falling. Fall on Jane! The lifters lift the person just to their waist at which time the person being lifted is stiff as a board, has arms crossed across chest, and relaxes their head. The group then lifts the person up above their head (no higher than the less tall person in the lifting line) and holds the person there for a few silent seconds. The group then lowers the person to their hips and then stands them up feet first.
