The Art of Presence

Aims & objectives

The training aimed to help participants reconnect with their bodies, thoughts, and emotions, fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. It addressed the need for youth workers, educators, and volunteers to develop practical tools for managing stress, increasing focus, and supporting mental and physical health—both for themselves and for the people they work with. This aligns with the hosting organizations’ goals of empowering youth professionals, promoting personal growth, and equipping them with skills to enhance well-being in their communities.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

The training gathered 40 participants (approximately 4 per country) from a variety of European countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Slovakia, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Italy. Participants were youth workers, educators, and volunteers involved in NGOs, aged 18+, motivated to learn mindfulness, meditation, and holistic movement practices. They were interested in personal insight, committed to sharing results, and motivated to apply the practices in their professional work. The international composition fostered intercultural exchange and collaboration.

Training methods used & main activities

The training employed non-formal learning methods, focusing on experiential and participatory approaches. Examples include:

Mindfulness and Meditation Exercises – Guided practices to increase awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.

Holistic Movement Practices – Body-based exercises exploring how emotions are stored and released, including stretching, improvisation, and somatic awareness activities.

Reflection Circles – Small group discussions to share insights, experiences, and personal reflections.

Stress-Release and Concentration Techniques – Exercises to help participants manage tension and improve calm and focus.

Application Workshops – Practical sessions on integrating mindfulness and movement practices into professional work with youth.

Outcomes of the activity

The training successfully:

Enhanced participants’ self-awareness and mind-body connection.

Provided tools to manage emotions, reduce stress, and increase focus.

Equipped participants with practical skills to support the mental and physical well-being of others.

Fostered international collaboration and peer learning.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

As a trainer, I was responsible for:

Designing and facilitating non-formal learning activities.

Leading holistic movement sessions.

Creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

Guiding reflection and discussion sessions to maximize learning.

Providing tools and advice for applying practices in participants’ professional work.

Preparing training materials and resources for continued use and dissemination.

I worked on this training for 9 days as a full time trainer.