Once upon a time in Poland: Movement, Self Defense & Mental and Physical Development

Project on the bonds between mental wellbeing and physical health, designed as a practical tool for youth workers, using movements and exercises from disciplines such as yoga and different self-defence styles.

This program explores how practicing and experiencing body movement can deepen self-understanding, not only on a physical level but also across emotional, mental, and social dimensions. As a resource for youth workers, it offers methods that can be directly applied in their daily work with young people to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healthy expression.

The learning tools used in this program are mainly inspired by martial arts culture and its philosophies. Throughout history, martial arts practitioners have developed concepts that help individuals better understand their bodies while also exploring the balance between emotional, spiritual, and physical spheres. These insights are particularly valuable for youth workers seeking holistic approaches to wellbeing and personal development.

Our aim is to support participants in discovering their physical potential through training techniques commonly used in self-defence environments, while also engaging with cultural and philosophical topics that highlight the often-overlooked connection between body and mind. This creates a framework that youth workers can adapt to strengthen relationships, build trust, and promote positive coping strategies among the young people they support.

More about our tools:

● We will practice exercises from different disciplines such as (some) yoga, a combination of different styles of self defense techniques (both from eastern and western origin), while also exploring the basic functioning of our bodies, its possibilities, how to move it correctly and a more specific workshop about pressure points.
● We will discuss concepts such as the theory of the 7 chakras, the concept of Dao and some symbols such as the famous “Yin & Yang” and how these and other concepts can help unravel the chaotic process of understanding ourselves.
● We will also have group/couple exercises, social activities and activities in nature, in order to stimulate contact between participants and between the group and the world around them, crucial to understand and apply the concepts (both practical and theoretical) discussed during the project.
● Some other optional activities and propositions are provided each day before and after the activities as a tool to stimulate interaction, discuss the topics, cultural exchange and general extra physical training.

Here the structure and the general topics of the program for each day:
● Day1: Arrival day
● Day2: Earth: Foundation - Survival and fears
● Day3: Water: Flow - Pleasure and shame (grief)
● Day4: Fire: Energy - Will power and shame (lack of confidence)
● Day5: Air: Limits - Love and hate
● Day6: Voice and Vision: Uncover the veil - Truths and lies, Reality and illusion
● Day7: Crown: Closing the circle - Connection, bonds and letting go (and project evaluation)
● Day8: Departure day
!!!Disclaimer for participants!!! *This project might be physically demanding. This doesn’t mean we’re looking for athletes or that we are practicing agonistic sports, neither that we’re open only to people with optimal body shape. Everyone is welcome and invited to take part in the program and challenge themselves, with the only premise that it might require physical effort, energy and will power to explore our bodies, especially in their limits (that naturally differ from person to person).
For more info and for the application form, please check the infopack:
For any other questions, you can contact us on:
● Email: projects.windmill.tree@gmail.com
● Social media and website: Windmill Tree Foundation
● Whatsapp: +39 348 114 6338 - SIMONE (ORGANIZER)
+48 888 473 397 - KASIA (PROJECT COORDINATOR)