explore · Problem Solving · 60–90 min · 3-20 people · medium energy
Stuck Exercise
The Stuck Exercise uses embodied movement and reflection to explore a situation where progress is blocked, helping participants shift from problem-solving to sensing and discovering new perspectives. It facilitates a deeper understanding of the systemic forces at play and unlocks potential pathways forward by trusting in body-knowing.
When to use Stuck Exercise
Use this method when a team or individual feels trapped by a persistent challenge and traditional problem-solving approaches have failed. It's particularly useful for surfacing hidden assumptions and fostering a more holistic understanding of the situation.
What it solves
Inability to move past a persistent problem; feeling 'stuck' and frustrated; reliance on purely analytical approaches that ignore embodied knowledge.
How to run Stuck Exercise, step by step
- Individual Reflection (5 min): Participants identify a situation in their life or work where they feel stuck.
- Sculpture 1 - Current Reality (15 min): Participants physically embody their current state in relation to the 'stuck' situation, creating a 'sculpture' with their bodies. Facilitator guides them to notice the feeling-quality of this sculpture.
- Sensing the Field (10 min): Participants, maintaining their sculptural pose, pay attention to their body sensations and the overall energy of the group. What wants to emerge?
- Sculpture 2 - Emerging Future (15 min): Guided by their body-knowing, participants slowly shift their posture to embody a potential future state, a 'sculpture' representing movement beyond the stuck situation.
- Reflection and Sharing (25 min): Participants share their experience of moving from Sculpture 1 to Sculpture 2, focusing on insights and potential next steps. Facilitator guides the discussion to connect individual experiences to the larger system.
Materials needed
- Open space for movement
- Timer
- Optional: Music to create a reflective atmosphere
Facilitator tips
- Emphasize the importance of non-judgment and trust in the process.
- Encourage participants to focus on their felt sense rather than trying to intellectually analyze the situation.
- Be prepared to guide participants who may feel uncomfortable with embodied movement.
Common pitfalls
- Participants overthinking the exercise and trying to 'figure it out' rather than allowing their bodies to guide them.
- Participants feeling self-conscious or vulnerable about expressing themselves physically.
- The facilitator imposing their own interpretations on the participants' experiences.
Variations
- Use props or objects to represent different aspects of the 'stuck' situation.
- Conduct the exercise outdoors in a natural setting.
- Incorporate journaling or drawing to deepen the reflection process.
Running it online or hybrid
Requires careful facilitation to create a safe space for embodied exploration in a virtual environment. Consider using breakout rooms for smaller group interactions and ensure participants have space to move.
What it produces
New insights into the dynamics of the 'stuck' situation; identification of potential pathways forward; increased awareness of individual and collective perspectives.
Origin
Adapted from u-school for Transformation by Presencing Institute — source
Build a session around Stuck Exercise
METODIC places Stuck Exercise inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.