Complementary Pose
One player makes a pose and the other person makes complementary pose
by Erica MarxGoal
Supporting your partner
Instructions
From Ted's blog
A super-simple exercise, but an important one as a lead-in to many other games like I Am a Tree or Build a Machine. One person, anyone, starts in the middle of a group circle and strikes a pose, any pose. A second person comes into the middle to take and hold a complementary pose. They could match the person in the middle, mirror them, or create a mini-story snapshot with the addition—again, anything’s valid. The first person then says “Thank you” to the second and someone new comes in to offer a complementary pose to the one left behind. Person #2 then says “Thank you” to person #3 and the game continues on from there.
Insider Tips:
Make sure the “Thank you” stays sincere and warm-hearted rather than sarcastic or dismissive.
Encourage folks to follow their impulses here—poses need not be funny, clever, cute, or original. Be average. They can even step into the circle before they even know what they’re going to do, letting their momentum of commitment lead them to the complementary pose they eventually take.
Background
Author
I help teams connect, collaborate, and perform at their best in both virtual and in-person environments. As an executive and leadership coach, I design highly engaging experiences where people can think together, navigate challenges, and strengthen the way they work. With a background in leadership coaching, facilitation, and applied improvisation, I create interactive retreats, conferences, and networking events that energize participants and create lasting impact. My work creates the conditions for psychological safety, honest communication, and deep collaboration, allowing teams to build trust, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results together. I am deeply committed to mission-driven organizations. As a board member of the International Applied Improvisation Network, I partner with nonprofit and social justice leaders to help their teams thrive in fast-changing environments.
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