KOOLITUS

Name of the project: “Be Yourself!” Training Course

Date: 11^th – 21^st September 2023 

City/Country: Sables d’Or les Pins, France

 

 

 

What was the main topic of the project?

Kaisa Ülviste – Main topic was to use theater activities to improve the mental health.

Rebecca Villem – It was about improving mental health by listening to your own body and connecting with yourself (and others) in a deeper level through theatre based activities.

M.M. – Mindfulness, emotions, theatre activites.

What were the biggest learning moments of the event for you?

Kaisa Ülviste –How to listen to my body and my mind. How small changes can improve your way of seeing life. It is important to actually be yourself, because with this mentality you are able to go further and further in life. And it is important to try things out of your comfort zone, because with situations like these you are able to experience things that you never thought you will.

Rebecca Villem – We started each morning with exercises, where we used 2 simple objects – a tennisball and a tube. And just by placing them under your body in the right spots and laying on them can make such a huge difference in your body. I think I didn’t realize how tense I was, because I didn’t know how relaxed I could be. That was quite amazing.

M.M. – How to be more mindful about your emotions and recognise why am I feeling that way and how to actually be yourself.

Do you have any plans to continue being active in the field? If yes, in which way?

Kaisa Ülviste – I would love to participate again in some kind of training or youth exchange. Or if it is possible then help to organize something similar in Estonia. I think it would be great experience to be part of this community.

Rebecca Villem – I’m excited about meeting my friends and telling them everything. I have already shared my new knowledge and experiences with some. I really hope everyone would feel so good and free in their skins like I did, when I was in France in this poject.

M.M. – I will implement those activites and knowledge in my everyday life to be the best version of myself.

Would you recommend this experience to your friends? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Kaisa Ülviste – I would recommend this experience 100% to my friends. This experience can open your eyes how to see life and who are you in this life. How to be active with your mind. All the people I met, I can say that they are like a family. It is amazing how in short time people can be a huge part of your life.

Rebecca Villem – Of course I would recommend it. Might have been a bit more uncomfortable for those that are not used to being watched by so many people and being in the centre of attention. But in our group you could always feel strong support and pure joy of being in this moment together in every activity. It sure was very intense and challenging, but we also always had tons of fun. Connecting with new people gave me a new perspective and I left the project feeling inspired and fresh.

M.M. – Yes, but you have to be ready to make a change in yourself and be aware that you really have to be 100% in the project, otherwise you won’t get full experience.