Water Gels
Water gels are a fairly recent addition to the useful props toolkit.
They can be acquired at garden centres or online and come in a range of
colours, though the translucent variety are more beautiful than the opaque so
be careful when ordering. These gels, when presented in large quantities,
provide a visual, tactile stimulus that many participants greatly enjoy.
Immersing fingers and toes is almost therapeutic, like massage, and people will
spend extended periods of time gently enjoying the feel of them.
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As a simple tactile experience. Gels are
slightly wet to the touch, but soft and jelly-like, without being sticky.
Rolling them around in bowls with hands and feet is an extremely pleasant,
relaxing experience.
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Adding small lights to a clear or silver bowl
of gels gives an additional visual stimulus as they shimmer and shine and
reflect the light back as they move around.
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Rolling gels this way and that across large
flat trays or soundboards enables exploration of their movement qualities. When
dropped individually they bounce like raindrops.
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Rolling down tubes or half-pipes adds an
element of fun and surprise to the activity. You never know where they're going
to end up, so it is wise to have a trug or other container strategically placed
at the end!
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Gels can be used to reinforce a colour theme or symbolically; the clear ones
behave and look exactly like raindrops, or perhaps as green and purple grapes
in a wine-making workshop.
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