Activity

WOOD CHOPPING

Number of participants

10 to 15 participants

Objectives

● To break the ice and assess the energy of the group.
● To open the participants’ voice channel.
● To activate the body.

Where does the activity take place within the process

Beginning

Duration

15 minutes

Material needed

Preparation

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

Step by step description

1. Ask the participants to stand and create a circle.

2. Ask one participant to imagine they have an imaginary stump, imaginary firewood and imaginary axe.

3. Ask the participant to try to chop the wood with as much force as they can, making a loud “ha” sound.

4. Ask the participant to pick up the stump, the firewood and the axe and select another participant to try, because it didn’t work.

5. The activity lasts long enough for each participant to have the opportunity to chop firewood at least once. If the participants are enjoying the exercise, it can be prolonged.

6. In the last step, each of the participants has their own stump, firewood and axe and ask them to chop wood 3 times in a row all at the same time accompanied with a loud “ha”.

Closing up

The exercise can be concluded by the quick circle of participants answering the question:

● Compare how you are feeling now with how you felt before the exercise.

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

This exercise helps strengthen the feeling of belonging to a group. It helps participants to relax their bodies and their vocal cord.