Partner Counterbalance Poses

Partner shapes where nobody holds the other's weight: both partners pull or push at the same time, like a balance scale. Students work on shared balance, body tension, and communication to find the point where both are supported.

How to play

1. Pairs of similar height, each pair with half a mat. Explain the scale idea: if one lets go, the other falls, so you go in and out together on 'one, two, three'.
2. Shape 1, the pull (3 min): stand face to face, hold wrists, feet together; both lean back with straight arms and hold 5 seconds.
3. Shape 2, the double chair (3 min): back to back, lower together until knees are at 90 degrees, then rise without separating.
4. Shape 3, the tent (3 min): face to face one step apart, press palms together and lean forward to form a triangle; then try a step and a half apart.
5. Shape 4, the star (3 min): hold one hand, and each partner leans out to their side with one foot lifted.
6. Final challenge (5 min): each pair draws a challenge card with a new shape on it, tries it, then links their favorite three shapes with smooth transitions and shows another pair.

Rules

• Always grip wrists, not fingers.
• Enter and exit every shape on a count; nobody lets go by surprise.
• If a shape hurts or won't hold, ease out slowly and try an easier version.
• Full respect for your partner: no laughing when someone falls.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated counterbalances, pulling hands from a wheelchair or the floor while the partner leans.
• Shyness: let students pick a partner and start with low-contact shapes, like the tent with palms only.
• Differences in size or strength: pair by size and let partners hold a pole between them instead of hands.

Learning goals

• Hold shared balance shapes without bearing a partner's weight.
• Communicate with a partner to enter and exit shapes together.
• Link several shapes into a short sequence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 7
• challenge cards: 12

Teacher tip

This is a great lead-in to partner stunts because there are no bases or flyers; stress the counting out loud, since most falls come from someone letting go early.

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