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In the Heart of Nature is a training course that aims to explore the Living in all its shapes, through movement, voice, mindfulness, somatics and deep connection to nature.
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It will happen in France, in Chartrier-Ferrière (Corrèze), in the Oasis des âges, from 31st March to 11th April 2025 (travels days included).
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​"How to reconnect to the Living? To your inner Nature and to what surrounds us? From inside to outside, from outside to inside, we propose to dive in a journey being touched by what is already there with a deep listening.
In the Heart of Nature training course wants to open news doors to better understand yourself and the environment in order to build news abilities of being a youth leader with an embodied and empowered attitude."
Why? In today’s fast-changing world, young people face increasing challenges, including social exclusion, radicalization risks, and mental health struggles. In The Heart Of Nature responds to these challenges by integrating nature-based education and somatic practices into youth work. These approaches, supported by research on the benefits of nature and holistic well-being, enhance participants’ ability to support young people in finding balance, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging.
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The project unfolds in two phases, ROOTING and BRANCHING, each designed to distinct aspects of personal and professional development.
This project will happen in the eco-village of the Oasis des âges, and we will have some moments during the training course where we will share with them community work (gardening, ecobuilding, etc...). We believe that this is fully part of the immersive experience of this specific training, in order to better understand the Living in alls its shapes, to move towards a more ecological way of living together, with this intention of being in connection with Nature through body, heart and mind.
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ROOTING
Rooting invites you to embark on a journey inward, exploring your own nature, strengths, and personal resources through nature-based and somatic practices. Participants will reconnect with themselves, develop self-awareness, and cultivate emotional balance—key attributes for anyone working with young people.
Rooting invites you to the encounter with yourself as an inseparable part of the living world. This training explores the interplay between the inner and outer landscapes, using nature and embodiment as mirrors to guide personal growth.
In this first training, participants are called to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the forgotten wisdom held in their bodies and the Earth. By stepping away from the clamor of daily life and into the rhythms of the natural world, we’ll awaken to what it means to be fully alive—rooted, embodied, and attuned to the intelligence of the more-than-human world.
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Keys outcomes:
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A deeper understanding of yourself, your emotions, and your connection to the environment.
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Tools to foster self-confidence and resilience.
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Techniques for applying embodiment and nature-based approaches in educational and social settings.
This phase lays a strong foundation for personal growth, enabling you to inspire others with authenticity and empathy.
In this training course you will experience:
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​Embodiment Practices: Learn to inhabit your body fully, exploring how movement, breath, voice and sensory awareness enhance your sense of self and your ability to be with others.
Among these practices there will be Contact Improvisation, Authentic Movement, Community Singing, Scores for Improvisation, Playfight.​​​
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Nature-Based Exploration: Engage with guided activities that use the natural world as a mirror for reflection and growth. From solitary walks to shared group exercises, participants will explore their place within larger ecosystems​​​
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Personal Grounding: Work with simple yet powerful tools for centering and grounding, helping you navigate your inner landscape with clarity and curiosity.​​
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Meaningful Reflection: Through journaling, dialogue, and quiet observation, make connections between your experiences in nature and your personal or professional journey.​​
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Community work: Share moments with the community with gardening and ecobuilding to learn ecological processes and cultivate a joyful collective way of acting for the Living.​
IMPORTANT NOTE:
ROOTING is distinctly designed as a personal development training course, providing participants with the opportunity to deepen their self-awareness and explore their inner resources in a setting that nurtures introspection and personal transformation. ROOTING focuses on cultivating the individual’s sense of self, emotionally, mentally, and physically, through embodied practices and immersive experiences in nature. The goal is not only to foster self-discovery but also to build a strong, grounded foundation from which participants can later engage with others more authentically and effectively.
The following training course (that will happen from 17th to 29th of September 2025) BRANCHING, will incorporate an extra layer of analysis and reflection on how to integrate these transformative practices into the youth work frame.
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Who is this training for?
The training is designed for social workers, volunteers, leaders, teachers, and coaches. It aims to transmit skills for a strong connection between individuals, their bodies, and their environment to implement into our daily work as well as our personal lives and to the greater world
You can apply to this training if you are resident and traveling from (and to) France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Greece and Germany.
Participants must be over 18 years and must be able to understand and communicate in English, so they can participate fully in a program that will be held in English.
We expect you to participate in the whole program. It means coming later or leaving earlier is not allowed. Also, prepare for an intensive experience with at least 6 hours of activities every day!
IMPORTANT NOTE : A training course is not a vacation or a nearly cost-free spiritual retreat, nor is it a place for personal therapy sessions. The training course is meant to be dynamic learning adventure where you’ll immerse yourself in intensive growth, both personally and professionally. It’s about seizing the opportunity to absorb new skills and insights, ready to give back to the world with fresh perspectives and expertise.
This training is for you if you are willing to:
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spend time outdoor, move, play, walk and dance.
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go out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.
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improve your facilitator/trainer skills.
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acquire new tools and ideas for your job and your daily life.
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open yourself in order to share your own skills and learn new ones.
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commit to this work during the whole duration of the project, dissemination and follow-up included.
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empower yourself with the support and the care of the group.
Working methods
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You will learn by doing ! This will be a collective experience in which everyone will have to invest. The course will be anchored in the sharing of ideas, opinions, experiences and practices. Joining us will be an opportunity to share and gain confidence in your own skills and experiences.
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Also, bear in mind that previous experiences with dance and singing practices are not needed to attend the training.
Meet the Team
Spaces Holders
Practical Information
The training course will take place in the OASIS DES AGES. We will be accommodated in this beautiful venue in Chartrier-Ferrière, in the region of Corrèze, at 20 minutes to the city Brives La Gaillarde. There, you will share rooms with other participants and we will enjoy different activities rooms and places for relaxing. We will be surrounded by the fields and the forest, in the middle of a preserved nature.
"Oasis des âges is a collective place, open to the world and anchored in its territory, organizing and hosting training, workshops, retreats, etc... This committed collective intends to offer and create spaces to transform our relationships with ourselves, others, territory, representations and beliefs, the living and the invisible; to take care of it, choose what is right and create new models, of a united, vibrant and committed society, to preserve the Earth and the Living.."
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How to travel ?
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​More detailed information about the travel arrangements to the venue will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
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To check your travel options, please, look for connections that take you to BRIVE LA GAILLARDE. From there you will be further guided to the venue.
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Please, as our project is taking care about sustainability, we invite you to choose the most environmentally friendly form of transport with bus, train or carpooling. We can help you to find the best options.
Note: Your travels cannot be further than 2 days before or after the training course due to the rules of our financial grant.
Travel reimbursement
As well, more detailed information about the travel reimbursement will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
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The travel costs of the participants will be refunded, after the training course, once participants will have complete all the mandatory tasks (sharing all their travel documents, filling the Erasmus survey, sending proof of dissemination and follow-up activities).
Maximum amounts:
France : 210 €
Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Romania, Portugal : 320 € (275 € if traveling by plane)
Greece, Latvia : 360 €
DON'T FORGET TO KEEP ALL YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND RECEIPTS, we will need them to reimburse your transport!
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Participation contribution : we offer the opportunity to self assess your contribution on a sliding scale between 120 - 250 euro (to be paid in cash upon arrival).
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The contribution fee for our training course ensures a premium experience at the exquisite OASIS DES AGES. This fee covers high-quality accommodation, vegan/vegetarian meals, and enriching programs. We strive to create a supportive and transformative environment, and your contribution helps maintain these standards. We offer a sliding scale to accommodate diverse financial situations, emphasizing that finances should never be a barrier to participation.
This course is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, Mobility of youth workers.
If you wish to learn more about the programme and its opportunities, have a look here.
Food
The delicious food will be vegan/vegetarian, prepared with love and care by our cook Andréa.
​ "My name is Andrea Mendizabal, and I will be cooking for you vegetarian meals during this training course. The meals I prepare are carefully designed to be easily digested by each one of us, with our own caracteristics and imbalances. The food will be organic, gluten-free, seasonal and local to reduce our carbone footprint as much as possible. You will be eating plenty of colors and lot's of love. If you are curious, you can find my creations here : www.panakeiacuisine.com. And you can also find me at my restaurant Tiers-lieu Pachamama's in Strasbourg! " ​
In order to provide and keep a safe and focused atmosphere for everybody we invite you to agree with an alcohol/drugs-free policy during the whole training course.
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