Mirror Stretch

1. Form pairs.
2. Each person stands and faces their partner about a metre apart (3′.)
3. One person initiates a series of zany, stretching movements.
4. The other person attempts to mimic the movements of their partner as if they were a ‘mirror.’
5. Swap roles after 30 seconds, and then swap partners.

Video Transcript for Mirror Stretch
presented by Mark Collard

So Marcus and I are going to be partners in this exercise. First of all Marcus we are going to be facing each other. Okay so everyone can see us at this point, and I’d like you to imagine Marcus, and perhaps it’s not too hard to imagine, is that I’ve just got out of bed. Okay?

And I go through my normal morning constitution stretches. Okay?

Not that Marcus would need to necessarily know what I look like when I get out of bed, but you can imagine what someone might look like. So, and if you were my full length, and you are very full length, mirror here is that you would be exactly my full length reflection. So if I went like that, you would like that as well, exactly.

(Marcus copies Mark’s stretches.)

(Whoa.)

(Laughing.)

(Stretching continues.)

Alright you can have a bit of fun with it, but it’s involving a bit of a stretch as well. So, for about a half a minute you will be the person doing the morning stretches and your partner is your, your full length mirror, and then I’ll ask you to swap over. You ready?

Find a space, go.

(Partners copy each other stretching.)

Just checking if it’s still there. Whoa that’s a long way down for me. Oh hang on it’s this one.

(Stretches continue.)

(Laughing.)

Swap over. Your partner now becomes their mirror.

Oh wrong way.

(Partners swap and then continue to stretch.)

Ask people to find a partner (see Getting Into Pairs for some fun methods to do this) and gather around you to observe a quick demonstration.

Invite a volunteer to face you standing about a metre (3′) apart. To begin, start by making a series of movements with your upper body such as flapping your arms at your side.

Invite your partner to mimic your movements as if they were your full-length mirror. So, if I extend my left arm out to my left-side, my partner will extend their right arm out to their right-side.

Your intention should be to make your movements interesting, fun and slow enough for the other person to mime as if they were in fact your full-length mirror.

Got a few laughs, it’s now time to turn it over to the group. The facial and physical gymnastics that result lets you see people like you’ve never seen them before.

Swap roles after 30 seconds, and then swap partners.

Remind people that Challenge by Choice operates here. Suggest that if one person can successfully negotiate a triple somersault with a twist in mid-air, their partner is not required to mimic everything.

The enjoyment level is definitely enhanced by your initial demonstration of zany, unself-conscious stretching at the start. Avoid the typical star jump types of stretches. Rather, for example, invent an innovative and fun morning ‘wake up’ routine that includes having a shower, shaving, dressing in stretchy trousers and a long-sleeve angora sweater, etc.

You could integrate Mirror Stretch as part of a well-designed SEL program to develop your group’s ability to understand the perspectives of and empathise with others including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Specifically, this activity offers opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy

Self-Management

• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Taking Initiative

Social Awareness

• Taking Other’s Perspectives
• Demonstrating Empathy & Compassion
• Understanding & Expressing Gratitude
• Appreciating Diversity
• Recognising Strengths In Others
• Respecting Others

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Build Positive Relationships
• Demonstrate Cultural Competency
• Work Collaboratively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Demonstrating Curiosity & Open-Mindedness
• Making Reasoned Judgements
• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

There is no specific health & wellness perspective to this activity other than promoting the benefits to one’s well-being of enjoying a short burst of physical activity.

In a small way, you could argue that the focus and effort required to successfully mirror the actions of one’s partner may speak to the benefits of being mindful and developing a range of emotional intelligence competencies. For example, you could invite your group to discuss a range of social and emotional cues that could be displayed by an individual in this exercise and explore what they mean. Picking up on signals such as boredom, stress or fatigue are all useful in our day-to-day lives.

If you can think of more explicit ways in which Mirror Stretch could be purposefully integrated into a health and wellness program, please leave a comment at the base of this page.

• Reverse Image: After each partner has had their turn, ask them to try the anti-mirror image – during which the follower tries to mime exactly the opposite of their partner’s movement, ie I move my left arm, you move your left arm. Classic moves and total confusion are sure to follow.
• Group Stretches: Repeat in groups of three or four people. One person performs the moves, while all others attempt to mimic them.
• Numeric Mimicry: Take a look at Space Counting to explore an inventive form of partner-mimicry.
• Take a look at Mirror Neurons for a fun twist to this exercise.

• Forms pairs and then choose to keep every person in the same virtual (Zoom) room and focused on their partner, or send them to their own private breakout room. My preference is always to keep people together because it keeps the energy high and the laughs flowing.
• If you send groups of 3 or more people to a breakout room, invite all others to mirror the actions of the nominated stretcher.
• Or, invite everyone to switch to Gallery View and randomly pick one person to observe. Ask each person to engage in some form of simple physical activity in front of the screen and then instruct them to mimic the exact movements of the person they are observing.

How often do you catch yourself assuming what’s going to happen, only to discover that it didn’t. This is an exercise that provides an opportunity to sharpen our observation skills. Notice how, on occasions, you’ll expect your partner’s movement to go one way, yet quickly discover that it goes the other, or not at all. Where else does this come up in your life, ie stuff not going the way you thought? How do you normally react? Do you adjust quickly, have a laugh, or do you give up?…

Extremely Fun ‘Energiser’ Session

What You Need:
8+ people, 30 mins

• Thumb Wrestling In Stereo – hilarious re-working of a classic partner game
• Mirror Stretch – active partner activity which sharpens observation skills
• ESP – passive, fun activity which invites partners to think alike
• People To People – energetic circle game

Large Group ‘Team-Building’ Session

What You Need:
10+ people, 60 mins, sheets of paper, 1+ hula-hoops

• Mirror Stretch – active partner exercise which sharpens observation skills
• Everybody Up – series of partner & small group challenges
• Snowflake – intriguing blindfold exercise to focus on diversity
• Through The Wringer – excellent multi-group challenge that will inspire creativity

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after playing this novel, partner-stretching exercise:

• What part of this exercise was the most challenging? Why?
• Were there times when you struggled to mimic the exact mirror image of your partner? How did you respond?
• What do you think is the purpose of such activities?