Video Transcript for Yurt Circle
presented by Mark Collard
We’re almost in a circle, so my suggestion is from here, form a circle and can I invite you now to hold the hands of each of your two partners. Most of you all just went like that now.
Okay, good job. And move the circle to a position and keep in the shade if you choose, push it out so that your arms are almost parallel to the ground, so we might want to move our way more than what you folks are. Okay, that’s about it.
You don’t want to stretch too far. You don’t want to have your arms pulled out of your sockets. Not too far, not too far, because you want to give yourself just a little bit of space.
Alright. Notice where your feet are. I’d like you to bring your feet together. Now you can move your feet, however, in a moment I’m going to ask you but not yet, to lean back.
The object here as we do it very slowly with a good grip is to effectively create what we call a Yurt. A Yurt, Nepalese term for basically self-supporting structure. It’s an engineering term, to Yurt.
So as we pull back, if you need to adjust your feet in, out, left, or right so that you feel supported by your neighbours as much as the rest of the group.
The object is as a group we get to that point where you almost you feel like you could be here forever, you’re in a comfortable position, although we don’t plan to be.
Okay. Got the idea? Alright. Make sure your grip is good. Alright.
(Good grip. Good grip.)
Start to lean slowly backwards. If you need to, move your feet.
(group attempting Yurt Circle)
Alright, come on back. Come on back and stand up. Alright. Let go for a second. Do this, alright, and reattach.
Now you know what’s about to happen… That’s fine. Sure. Sure. Is that good for you, Jack?
(Yeah.)
My ring… I’m going to take my ring… Is that okay? Alright. Alright. Remember you can move your feet to adjust. Your object is with your feet together to start leaning back and feeling that you’re being supported by the group. So is everyone good to go? Alright.
(What’s the worst thing that can happen?)
Alright, start to lean. I feel like I’m still going backwards. Oh, that’s it. I got it. You got it, Jack?
(Yeah.)
(group attempting Yurt Circle)
Start to lean. Alright. Stand up. Good job. Good job. Excellent.
So, do we have an even number?
(Sixteen.)
Sixteen? Okay.
(Including me)
Yes, including me. Let’s work this. Alright.
Oh, okay. So I’m going to pull out then from that perspective.
So if the two of you would like to now… You don’t have to hold hands just yet. Jack, you’re one, Nathan, you’re two, then we go one, two. Just go around and remember the number you say. So it’s one, two, one, two, one, two. So Jack.
(One, Two, One, Two, One, Two, One, Two, One, Two, One, Two, One, Two, One, Two.
Perfect. Okay. So I’ll need to step out for this exercise. In a moment you’re about to re-join. Go ahead and do that now. Okay, continue to stretch the point where you’re not pulling your arms out of your sockets but create a circle. Don’t start to lean just yet.
Okay, listen carefully to your next instruction. In a moment, but not yet, all of the ones are going to lean out, out of the circle, while the twos lean in.
So half of you are going to lean out, the other half are going to lean in. It’s the same thing. Adjust your feet as necessary. There should be enough support on left and right of you to support your weight accordingly.
Got the idea? So the ones are going to go out of the circle making the circle bigger, the twos are going to lean in. Everybody ready? Ones out, twos in, and go, slowly, slowly. Adjust your feet so that you can take the weight.
(group practicing Yurt Circle)
Alright, come on back to equilibrium and reverse. Two go out, one go in.
(Nice. I like this. It’s easier.)
Back to equilibrium. Return to the original. One out, two in.
(Slowly. Slowly. Yes, there we go.)
(people playing Yurt Circle)
And reverse it. Back to equilibrium. What are we up to now? Two out, one in. See how long you can hold it. It’s good lower back stretch. And bring it on back. Good job. Excellent.
Ask your group to form a perfect circle, and then firmly grasp the hands or wrists of their neighbours.
A good, strong, yet comfortable grip is essential, because you may apply pressure to it for up to 30 seconds. Stretch the circle out, not quite to its limits, but certainly, all arms should be extended.
Now, with feet placed together and securely planted on the ground, instruct everyone to slowly and gently lean backwards. Suggest that it may be necessary to adjust the position of some people’s feet so that every person can support the weight not only of their immediate neighbours but that generated by the whole group.
A group will rarely achieve a balanced yurt-like structure right off the bat, but persevere because it may take a few goes (and a few collapses) before the group succeeds.
The ultimate is for most if not all the people of your group to experience a feeling of total support, ie as if they could ‘park’ in this position all day without effort.
No matter the size, shape or abilities of your group, this yurt or self-supporting structure is entirely possible. It just takes a little cooperation and an acceptance and willingness to embrace everyone’s differences. There could just be a lesson in there!
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