# Yurt Circle Participants stand in a circle holding hands or wrists and lean backward together to create a shared counterbalance. The group tests collective support, adjusts foot placement, and returns upright smoothly. **Time:** 10 minutes. UWT suggested duration to allow safety setup, practice, and debrief. Source materials list under 5 minutes without setup or reflection. **People:** 6 to 24. Single whole-group standing circle ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Demonstrate physical interdependence and mutual support through a synchronized group counterbalance hold. **Use it when:** Use during in-person team sessions or active workshops to explore physical coordination and group support. **Skip it when:** Skip when participants prefer to avoid physical touch, have mobility or balance constraints that make leaning unsafe, or when meeting entirely online. ## Materials and tools - Flat, non-slip floor space free of obstacles - Short towel or rope segments (optional, for grip accommodation) ## Before participants arrive 1. Ensure the room has sufficient open space so a falling person cannot strike furniture or walls. 2. Check that the floor surface is dry, level, and clean. 3. Have optional short towel or rope segments accessible near the circle. ## Say this to open Today we are going to try a group balance challenge called Yurt Circle. We will form a circle, hold hands, wrists, or short towels, and slowly lean outward so that the whole circle holds everyone upright through counterweight. Physical contact and balance are optional. You can step into an active coaching or spotting role at any time. Anyone may say 'pause' or step out if uncomfortable, and we will immediately return to standing upright. ## How to run it ### 1. Circle formation and safety rules (2 minutes) Invite participants into a standing circle facing inward. State the safety rules: keep feet firmly planted, lean straight without bending at the waist, and return upright immediately if anyone feels insecure or calls stop. Offer hand clasps, wrist-to-wrist holds, forearm holds, or optional towel segments based on comfort and consent. Participants who choose not to lean step into spotting positions outside the circle. ### 2. Alignment and initial lean (3 minutes) Instruct participants to step back gently until arms extend almost parallel to the floor. Have everyone place their feet together or hip-width apart. On a collective count of three, direct the circle to lean backward slowly while keeping torsos straight and heels down. Instruct participants to adjust their foot placement until the lean feels evenly supported by the whole ring. ### 3. Hold and reset (2 minutes) Direct the group to hold the balanced lean for 5 to 10 seconds. On the agreed reset cue, have everyone step forward smoothly to return to standing balance. Repeat once or twice so participants can adjust foot placement and test different degrees of lean. ### 4. Group reflection (3 minutes) Have participants stay in the circle or take seats. Ask one or two reflection questions. Invite 3 or 4 brief voluntary responses before concluding the activity. ## Debrief questions - What small adjustments did you make when you felt the circle shift? - How did knowing that others held your weight change how far you leaned? - Where else does our team rely on everyone holding their ground so others can do their part? **Finished output:** The group completes one or two synchronized group counterbalance holds and returns to standing safely. ## Remote Yurt Circle relies entirely on shared physical counterweight and cannot run online. For a remote team-coordination alternative, run Count to 20: the team attempts to count sequentially from 1 to 20 without any predefined order, restarting at 1 whenever two people speak at the same time. ## Hybrid In-person participants form the physical circle while a camera frames the entire group. Remote participants serve as timekeepers and spotters: a remote member counts the 5 to 10 second hold aloud and calls the reset cue, which the facilitator echoes for the room. ## Access and participation choices - Participants may hold forearms or wrists instead of hands, or hold a short towel or rope segment with their neighbor. - Anyone may opt out of physical leaning to serve as a safety spotter, counter, or coach without giving a reason. ## If the session gets stuck **Someone loses grip or slips during the lean.** Call 'Stand upright' immediately. Remind participants to keep the lean slight (only a few degrees) rather than leaning back deeply. **Participants bend at the hips rather than maintaining a straight body line.** Pause the group and demonstrate keeping the back straight and core braced, pivoting only from the ankles. ## Terms used here - Counterbalance: Using opposing weights to balance each other in equilibrium. - Spotter: A participant stationed outside the circle to monitor safety and help steady anyone who loses balance. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Playmeo records, which attribute the entry to Mark Collard. The circular counterbalance mechanic is a traditional adventure-based learning initiative. Retained the core circular counterbalance mechanic from Playmeo. UWT added explicit safety rules, consent options, grip alternatives with towel segments, hybrid spotter roles, time allocations, and a structured debrief. [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/energizer-warm-up-games/yurt-circle) [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/energizer-warm-up-games/yurt-circle/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/group-trust-building-exercise-that-strengthens-bonds-yurt-circle/