Activity

FRAMING OUR EMOTIONS

Number of participants

5 to 25 participants

Objectives

To encourage participants to become more aware of their bodies and how they feel.
To foster a sense of being seen and acknowledged within the group

Where does the activity take place within the process

Beginning

Duration

30 minutes

Material needed

A frame (for a painting or photo)
Chairs

Preparation

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

Ask the participants to sit/stand creating a circle.

Instruct participants to focus on their bodies and emotional states. Ask participants to position their feet on the ground and take note of the body parts that are in contact with the floor. Encourage them to close their eyes and to bend their knees slightly, feel the muscle contractions, and then slowly release the tension. Invite them to repeat the movement several times (2 to 5 repetitions).

Guide participants to move their hips in a slow circular motion, emphasising the importance of respecting their individual limits.

Now invite participants to assess their energy levels and sense of fatigue. If anyone feels tired, direct them to sit in a chair should they wish to do so.

Invite those who do not feel tired to perform five shoulder circles and pay attention to the sensations.-Encourage participants to feel the energy in their hands and visualise blood flow in their arms.

Ask them to place their hands on the back of their neck to attempt to transmit this energy.

While inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, invite participants to move their neck slowly and concentrate on the airflow.

Ask participants to open their eyes and make eye contact with one another, reinforcing their presence in the moment.

Finally, provide the frame and invite participants to express their current emotions using a frame to create a facial expression. Invite each participant to take the frame, put their head in it (as if they are a painting) and do a facial expression to share their current emotional state. Emphasise that there’s no need to verbally explain feelings, as the group should be able to effectively interpret non-verbal expressions. Highlight that the activity operates by working with the reality of the created image, rather than a reflection of reality, using symbolic expressions that can be individually interpreted.

When each and everyone from the group has expressed his/her emotional state, thank them and conclude the activity.

Closing up

You can reflect jointly with the group on this exercise asking the following questions:

How are you feeling now?
Did you learn anything new about yourself/others?

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

This exercise allows participants to express their feelings non-verbally, employing the frame to convey their emotions symbolically. The activity contributes to a sense of being seen and acknowledged within the group.