Energy and attention
Who
any group of people, or individuals working alone
Source et inspiration
This exercise was created as part of research conducted with Mariam Faquir at L’L-chercher en arts vivants (Brussels)
Where
An open space (inside or outside)
DURATION
About 2 to 5 minutes per action, with the possibility of doing several cycles of the 2 actions; optional: roll the dice to randomly decide on the number of cycles
MATERIALS
Music
EXERCISE DESCRIPTION
Before beginning, create a playlist with alternating energetic and calm tracks.
Example playlist: link.
Two actions will follow one another: one to stimulate energy, the other to mobilize attention.
A cycle is composed of these two actions.
For each action, a repetitive task is performed on the spot (a movement, a small displacement) with a particular quality or bodily state. Then we let whatever comes emerge: we improvise throughout the space, allowing ourselves to be carried by the bodily state that has been induced.
To mobilize attention: lie down, visualize, float, move without paying attention to it, wander…
To stimulate energy: run on the spot with eyes closed, run through the space, jump, bounce.
One may choose to link several cycles together, or not. The greater the number of cycles, the more the bodily state changes.
The exercise helps mobilize these two essential components for engaging in physical work with full awareness, and allows one to better gauge what a task requires of oneself: what is the attentional cost, and what is the energetic cost of what I am doing?
TAKING IT FURTHER
Try changing spaces, i.e. moving from indoors to outdoors, or vice versa. Or focus on group listening: raising and lowering energy based on the group’s collective rhythm, without a playlist.