The Tree

Aim of practice: get the body moving, realise the center, activising the natural breathing
Number of participants: 1+
Time allocation: 5-10 mins

The participants stand in a circle, along with them the leader of the session.

‘Each of you is a tree. Your feet are roots, going below the level of the floor. Your torso is a strong trunk. Your hands are branches reaching for the sun. There’s a weak summer wind that moves your branches and sounds them out slightly. The sound you give out simply with your breathing, breathing out and in, naturally, as you move. Close your eyes.

….

The wind rises.

…

It rises stronger and wilder.

…

A raging storm is coming. Your roots are working hard not to get ripped out of the ground. But you’re a strong tree, surviving even the biggest storm.

…

The storm is getting weaker.

..

The wind is silent. The storm is done. Your branches are almost motionless.

…

Autumn has arrived. Shed your leaves with one huge exhale, leaving your arms hanging to the ground.


Note of the author: It’s best to model - what I say I also do, and others take from me. That’s why I let the participants close their eyes after they’ve reproduced the movement with the assistance of sight. Each disruption of continuity means damage. They should also take over that the breathing, sounding out the wind in the branches, comes out naturally, invited by movement. It is very important to point this out.

It will be beneficial to use music as a background to help your voice build up the right atmosphere of the situation.