3rd Workshop

"Body as a Container"

Title of the activity:Body as a container

Date and place: 15.06.2024 - Dance studio - We Dance, Riga, Latvia

Duration: 40-60 minutes

Aim of the activity: to explore the concept of the body as a container of emotions, experiences, and inner states through dance and movement therapy techniques. To foster body awareness, emotional expression, empathy, and group connection. To promote personal reflection and support, well-being through grounding and expressive practices.

Participants info: 5 youth workers aged 18-35.

Description of the activity:

Firstly, the workshop was started by getting to know each other. In that way we tried to break the ice between participants. After that the warm-up activities were organized to help participants mentally focus on the workshop and connect with and feel their body. Warm-up activities were deep breathing, jumping in one place and shaking the body, and self-touching to feel and raise awareness of your own body. After that participants were asked to connect their name with a movement and present it to the whole group. After warm-up the discussion was held on the statement "body as a container." Participants were asked to share in pairs how they understand the above-mentioned statement and the container of what our body can be.

Then the main activity was implemented. First, everyone was asked to find a comfortable space in the room and to move freely to different sounds that were played for 1 minute each. After all three sounds the participants were asked to write down any key words or any emotions they experienced during the activity. This part helped them to go deeper into connecting with themselves and being aware of their bodies. This part was followed by couple interactions during which participants paired up and were designated the roles: The mover - (A) and the responder - (B). During the first part of the interaction A was moving to the 3 sounds playing for 1 minute each, while B was observing the movement. Afterwards, B was responding to the movement of an A in their own manner to all the three sounds. Then each couple switched the roles. After the activity participants were asked to reflect on their experience by taking notes and then - by discussing the activity in a structured way: each of the participants was sharing their feedback both as a mover or responder for 2 minutes, while the second person was just listening. This activity was focusing on the exploration, communication and fostering empathy within the group, promoting a deeper sense of connection and understanding themselves.