Levitation

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Demonstrate coordinated physical support and clear call-and-response safety protocols in a small team.

Use it when: Use in adventure or physical team training when participants have established rapport, consented to physical contact, and possess sound footing.

Skip it when: Skip when participants express discomfort with touch, report spine or joint issues, or lack clear padded flooring.

Group arrangement: Single group of 9 to 15 people with one lifted volunteer and 8 to 14 lifters and spotters.

Timing: UWT suggested 15-minute allocation for safety framing, practice, rotation, and debrief.

Materials and tools

• Flat, unobstructed floor space (minimum 4x4 meters)
• Gym mat or padded floor surface (optional)
• Floor marking tape or cones (optional)

Before participants arrive

1. Clear the floor of bags, cables, and trip hazards.
2. Ensure all participants remove sharp rings, watches, and bulky jewelry.
3. Mark the designated lifting perimeter with tape or cones if useful.

Say this to open

Today we will run Levitation. One volunteer leans back into the team's hands, gets lifted horizontally to shoulder height, rocks gently, and returns safely to the floor. Every role is optional. You can choose to be lifted, serve as a lifter, act as an outside safety spotter, or step aside to observe.

How to run it

1. Set safety rules and assign roles 4 minutes

   Assign roles. One person volunteers to be lifted. Lifters form two lines facing each other: at least two at the torso and two along the legs. Position a lead spotter at the head and an end spotter at the feet. Teach the verbal calls: 1. Lead spotter asks, 'Spotters ready?' 2. Team answers, 'Ready.' 3. Volunteer asks, 'Ready to fall?' 4. Team answers, 'Fall on.' Teach the stop command: anyone shouting 'Down' prompts an immediate, gentle return to the floor.

2. Execute the first lift 4 minutes

   The volunteer stands stiff, feet together, arms crossed on chest. The group speaks the call sequence. On 'Fall on', the volunteer leans back stiffly. Lifters cradle the torso and legs with palms up; the lead spotter supports the head and shoulders. Once cradled, the lead spotter calls 'Lifting on three: one, two, three.' Lifters raise the volunteer to shoulder height and rock them gently head to toe for 15 seconds. The lead spotter calls 'Lowering on three: one, two, three' to set feet safely on the floor.

3. Rotate or rehearse 4 minutes

   Offer the center role to another participant who requests to be lifted. Run the exact same call sequence and lifting protocol. If no one else chooses to be lifted, have the group practice the catch and lowering sequence at waist height with empty hands, or advance immediately to debrief.

4. Debrief observations 3 minutes

   Gather the group in a circle. Ask three participants to answer one question each from the debrief list, ensuring responses include both lifters and the lifted volunteer.

Debrief questions

• How did the call-and-response sequence impact your confidence before moving?
• What physical adjustments kept the lift level and stable as weight shifted?
• Where else does our team rely on explicit verbal handoffs before taking an action?

Finished output: A coordinated physical lift completed under verified verbal commands, with every participant choosing their role.

Remote

Cannot run online. The defining mechanic is shared physical lifting and balance support. Online adaptation is not supported.

Hybrid

Hybrid delivery is not supported for this activity due to essential in-person physical spotting and safety requirements.

Access and participation choices

• Participants freely choose to be lifted, serve as lifters, serve as outside safety spotters, or observe.
• Anyone may step away from the lifting circle at any point without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

The volunteer bends at the knees or waist during the initial lean.

Halt immediately. Reset the volunteer to a standing position. Have them practice keeping their core firm in a small two-inch lean back into the lead spotter's hands before attempting the full lean.

Lifters raise the body unevenly so the head or feet tilt.

Pause the lift at waist height. Remind lifters to watch the lead spotter at the head, who sets the cadence and counts to three for each vertical change.

Terms used here

• Lead Spotter: The person positioned directly at the volunteer's head who guides the verbal check-ins, cradles the head and neck, and calls lifting cadences.
• Lifter: A participant positioned alongside the volunteer who uses both hands with palms up to raise, rock, and lower the body.