How to do the Relating Dyad Communication Practice
The Relating Dyad Communication Practice
1. The Relating Dyad Communication Practice is a formal self improvement communication exercise for two people. Its purpose is to create understanding by increasing a persons ability to relate themselves to others. The word 'Dyad' comes from the Greek language. It means the number 2 or a couple.
2. Relating Dyad Communication Exercises are divided into self improvement programs. There are several relating dyad self improvement programs dealing with a variety of issues: Couples Relating; Self Awareness; Problem Solutions; Addiction & Recovery; Ethics & Values, etc.
Each program is made up of a series of communication exercises.
3. The Relating Dyad Communication Exercise begins as you and your partner sit facing each other. You both sit on chairs or on the floor and sit at the same eye level a distance apart that's comfortable for both of you.
4. Each of you decide which particular dyad exercise you each want to focus on and who will be the first listening/receptive partner and who will be the first contemplating/communicating/active partner.
6. The listening partner then gives the active partner the dyad exercise instruction that the active partner decided to work on.
7. After receiving the dyad instruction, the active partner is to follow the instruction. The responses should be specific and about oneself.
8. A dyad exercise is 40 minutes long. It is divided into eight x 5 minute periods.
9. Each person takes a 5 minute turn at being the active/contemplating/communicating partner while the other person is a receptive/listening partner. Every 5 minutes a bell rings and the partners exchange roles roles.
10. The active/communicating partner takes the entire 5 minute period to self reflect and communicate what comes up as a result of contemplating on the dyad exercise.
11. As the active partner who contemplates and communicates you do not have to continuously speak during your 5 minute turn. Relax into the contemplation. Relax into your self. Stay open to what you become conscious of as you contemplate in silence.
12. Some relating dyad exercises have only one part. Give that instruction once at the beginning of the 5 minute cycle only.
For Example:
Tell me who you are.
Some dyad exercises have multiple instructions; an 'a' part, 'b' part and 'c' part.
For example:
a. Tell me something you like about me.
b. Tell me something you think we agree on.
c. Tell me something about yourself you think I should know.
After the active partner finishes their communication on the 'a' part, give the 'b' part of the instruction and keep cycling through the parts in any given 5 minute cycle.
13. At the end of the five minute period the listening partner gives a brief acknowledgment to their partner, saying, "I got it" or "Thank you." Also acknowledge the speaking partner at the end of each sub cycle, i.e., 'a' part, 'b' part, etc.
15. At the end of 5 minutes or when the bell sounds if you are using a 'gong timer' the partners exchange roles.
16. The receptive/listening partner is to look at, listen to and try to understand the active/communicating partner as well as he or she can. The listening partner says nothing, but remains focused on their partner without any evaluating or distracting smiles, nods or comments.
17. A dyad exercise instruction is not a question. There is no question mark at the end of the sentence of a relating dyad communication exercise. It is an instruction from the listening partner telling the active or communicating partner to do something. For example: "Tell me what love is."
18. There are no right or wrong answers. The relating dyad communication exercise is not about answers. It is about following an instruction and doing it to the best of your ability.
2. Relating Dyad Communication Exercises are divided into self improvement programs. There are several relating dyad self improvement programs dealing with a variety of issues: Couples Relating; Self Awareness; Problem Solutions; Addiction & Recovery; Ethics & Values, etc.
Each program is made up of a series of communication exercises.
3. The Relating Dyad Communication Exercise begins as you and your partner sit facing each other. You both sit on chairs or on the floor and sit at the same eye level a distance apart that's comfortable for both of you.
4. Each of you decide which particular dyad exercise you each want to focus on and who will be the first listening/receptive partner and who will be the first contemplating/communicating/active partner.
6. The listening partner then gives the active partner the dyad exercise instruction that the active partner decided to work on.
7. After receiving the dyad instruction, the active partner is to follow the instruction. The responses should be specific and about oneself.
8. A dyad exercise is 40 minutes long. It is divided into eight x 5 minute periods.
9. Each person takes a 5 minute turn at being the active/contemplating/communicating partner while the other person is a receptive/listening partner. Every 5 minutes a bell rings and the partners exchange roles roles.
10. The active/communicating partner takes the entire 5 minute period to self reflect and communicate what comes up as a result of contemplating on the dyad exercise.
11. As the active partner who contemplates and communicates you do not have to continuously speak during your 5 minute turn. Relax into the contemplation. Relax into your self. Stay open to what you become conscious of as you contemplate in silence.
12. Some relating dyad exercises have only one part. Give that instruction once at the beginning of the 5 minute cycle only.
For Example:
Tell me who you are.
Some dyad exercises have multiple instructions; an 'a' part, 'b' part and 'c' part.
For example:
a. Tell me something you like about me.
b. Tell me something you think we agree on.
c. Tell me something about yourself you think I should know.
After the active partner finishes their communication on the 'a' part, give the 'b' part of the instruction and keep cycling through the parts in any given 5 minute cycle.
13. At the end of the five minute period the listening partner gives a brief acknowledgment to their partner, saying, "I got it" or "Thank you." Also acknowledge the speaking partner at the end of each sub cycle, i.e., 'a' part, 'b' part, etc.
15. At the end of 5 minutes or when the bell sounds if you are using a 'gong timer' the partners exchange roles.
16. The receptive/listening partner is to look at, listen to and try to understand the active/communicating partner as well as he or she can. The listening partner says nothing, but remains focused on their partner without any evaluating or distracting smiles, nods or comments.
17. A dyad exercise instruction is not a question. There is no question mark at the end of the sentence of a relating dyad communication exercise. It is an instruction from the listening partner telling the active or communicating partner to do something. For example: "Tell me what love is."
18. There are no right or wrong answers. The relating dyad communication exercise is not about answers. It is about following an instruction and doing it to the best of your ability.