Rock and Water Psychological Experiment

...

Before we begin, we would like everyone to take this short survey in order for us to measure the effectiveness of our mindfulness activity.

*hand out survey*

Slide 3: Erin

Activity number one: Grounding, eye contact.

-Stand directly parallel to a partner, a foot length apart

-Make and hold eye contact with your partner, observing the detail you notice in their eyes and any reflection of yourself that you can see

-At the same time as your partner, take a deep breath in for 3 seconds, hold the breath for 2 seconds and then breath out for 3 seconds

-Continue with this breathing staying in time with your partner, and holding eye contact

-Whilst you breath feel the weight of your feet on the ground

-Feel the weight in your chest as you breath in and out.

(Continue for 3 minutes)

Slide 4: Sarah

Activity number two: Team work activity

-Stand facing one another and with your feet touching your partner

-Hold hands, and begin to slowly move backwards, ensuring the balance is even between you and your partner to ensure stability

-Continue to move backwards until both arms are straight

-If you find this too simple, try standing side by side with your inner feet touching

-Again adjust out until your one arm is straight

(Continue for 3 minutes)

Slide 5: Erin

Activity number three: Balancing activity.

- Stand opposite your partner, about two foot lengths apart

- Place both of your hands up, bent at the elbow, with your palm facing your partner

- Make contact with your partners hands, pressing your palms together

- Push slightly against the other person's strength

- Remove your hands, and re adjust

- Place your hands up again, this time not touching the other persons

- Keep your feet still and grounded

- “Your aim is to unbalance your partner, causing them to lose footing. In order to do so you must only use your hands, against theirs. Use your strength to unbalance them but also be sure to use your agility to keep yourself balanced. Moving your hands away when a threat of unbalancing approaches”

- If one person loses footing, start again

(Continue for 3 minutes)

Slide 6: Sarah

-Return to seats

-Bring around new survey copy

-Having completed the activity, we would like everyone to familiarise themselves with the room around them and their peers in the classroom. Do you feel more connected to these people? Do you feel more connected to yourself? With these questions in mind, please re-complete the original survey. Considering the impact this activity has had on you.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Reference List

Demick, J. (2000). Toward a Mindful Psychological Science: Theory and Application. Journal of Social Issues, 56(1), pp.141-159.

Raymond, I.J. (2008). Murrayland’s Rock & Water Program: Program Overview and Qualitative Evaluation. Unpublished program evaluation. Connected Self 28/8/09. [Online] http://www.connectedself.com.au/images/murraylands_rock_and_water_2008_p rogram.pdf

Rockandwaterprogram.com. (2007). Gadaku Institute - Rock and Water Program. [Online] Available at: http://www.rockandwaterprogram.com/?action=main.content&article_nID=133&navID=46 [Accessed 31 May 2017].

Ykema, F. (2002). The Rock and Water perspective: Theorybook, Gaduka Institute, Perth