TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Andrés Sánchez González
The language of art speaks to us in ways that words cannot. Therefore, it’s a language that can be used as a means of connecting what is inside us with outer reality. It can be a tool for expressing our emotions, understanding better the world within us, and transforming this inner invisible energy into something positive and tangible. The project “Inner Bridge” is based on the idea that the creative process is healing and supports growth, self-expression, emotional intelligence, and transformation. We will have a chance to use techniques inspired by Art Therapy including dance, movement, painting, poetry in a search of understanding better who we are, finding the best ways of expressing our inner self, and building bridges with the outer world.
The aim of the project is to create an opportunity for youth workers to learn how to enhance emotional intelligence through the creative process of raising self-awareness and self-expression.
The participants were developing their emotional competences through the variety of methods inspired by Dance and Movement Therapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy. The main aim of the project was to provide youth workers with tools for increasing self-awareness and moving from awareness to authentic expression.
Almost 30 youth workers from Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Romania, Latvia and Portugal.
The team consisted of Paulina świecańska, Sylwia Federico (Poland) and Andrés Sánchez (Spain) as trainers/facilitators, Tomasz Kowalski (PL) as coordniator and Angelika Mizinska (PL) as team support.
The program of the course is designed as a process of connecting with our body and emotions and bringing it towards natural authentic expression. The activities will be enwrapped in reflection over the concept of creaivity and create space for the participants to share and deepen their understanding over the creative process. In particular we used:
- Art Theraphy (The River of Life)
- Creative Movement (Alphabet of movement)
- Improvisation (The architecture of performance)
- Music, Dance, Theatre (Vocal improvisation, voice circle, music therapy tools)
- Contact Improvisation (Body awareness, Body as an instrument)
The first thing: the satisfaction, freedom of creation and happiness of our participants. It can be said that it is something that sounds like a cliché, but it was like that. The participants were able to explore new forms of expression and apply them in a safe and trusting space. That for us is already a success.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8blH8Mt3YdI
Salto Tool: https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/inner-bridge-guide-through-emotions.3138/
As a trainer I conceived, created, developed and carried out the activities related to music, improvisation, theater and writing. Likewise, I supported my two colleagues when they led their activities and workshops, just as they acted as co-trainers in mine.
It was a great pleasure to work with Andres. His flexibility and adaptability allowed our collaboration to go smoothly with the benefit for the group. His creativity, skills in improvisation and warm positive attitude contributed to the overall outcome of the project. I think he has natural skill to facilitate the group process because of his ability of deep listening, openness and curiosity. I really enjoyed working with him!