TJ & Dave
A paired exercise for silently reading a partner's character through micro-movements and gaze. Develops sensitivity to relationship (heat) and context (weight) without words or explicit staging.
Duration
1–2 min per pair
Full description
Setup and Launch
Place participants in pairs facing each other. Neutral stance: feet shoulder-width apart, hands lowered, gaze steadily directed at the partner. Indicate that in the round one person "transmits" an image, the other "receives"; speaking, making sounds, changing posture, and conscious gesturing are prohibited.
Briefly explain the goal: to allow perception without interference to pick up micro-movements and the partner's state. Introduce two reference points: heat — relationship (who is who to whom, degree of closeness and current feeling); weight — context (why exactly these two are here together right now — from a single word to a developed situation).
How It Works
Work in rounds:
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Position and silence. The pair takes a neutral stance, establishes steady eye contact. Complete silence and stillness throughout the round.
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Round 1 — one-way transmission. Performer A forms a clear image of the partner's character (holding heat and weight) and "projects" it while remaining outwardly still for about 1 minute. Performer B passively receives, not trying to "play" anything.
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Meaning check. On the coach's signal, the receiver first says aloud who they "saw"; then the transmitter reveals who they had in mind. Compare the formulations.
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Role switch. Repeat steps 1–3, switching the transmitter and receiver.
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Option — two-way transmission. In the final round, both participants simultaneously project their image and receive the partner's image, maintaining silence and stillness; then they discuss the results.
Key rules
Strictly observe the prohibition on speech, sounds, conscious gestures, and posture changes; gaze steadily on the partner.
Ask the transmitter to clearly define their character in advance with two anchors: relationship (heat) and context (weight).
Do the check immediately after the round ends: first the receiver's version, then the transmitter's reveal.
Always switch roles; the closing round with simultaneous transmission is optional.
Context
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