Rimantė Rušaitė CRN e.V., Berlin Pilot Workshop EID Therapy 10 May 2015 Palanga, Lithuania

Inner-Outer Connect(ions)

The idea to organise this workshop was inspired by the rotunda, pictured above. The rotunda is located in a beautiful botanical garden in the Lithuanian seaside town Palanga. It is designed to enhance the acoustics of sound. I was visiting the town with my two stressed out and tired friends, hence, an average young professional adult in Europe. I wanted to give them a chance to spend a day connecting to their inner selves while connecting to natural world at the same time.

The aim of the activity: stress relieve, revival, listening to inner and outer sounds, connect to to nature

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Description of the activities:

I intended to organise the activities in accordance to the natural rhythm of the day - morning sounds, midday sounds, evening and night sounds in different natural spaces. Due to the spontaneity of the workshop, I was a full time-leading participant

1. “The greeting of the sun”. Time 5:25 (Sunrise)-6:00. Our little group gathered in the beach to be present during the sunrise. I encouraged to move freely in the space, start making noises that naturally incorporates into the present surrounding, imitating the wind, the waves. At the same time I reminded the group to be aware of their inner voice and letting it out.

2. “Meeting a tree”. Time 1:00-2:00. The next activity took place on an ancient dune/hill, that is known as a sacred pagan worship place, very special in Lithuanian culture. It is covered with trees and gives an amazing view of the Baltic sea. When we gathered on the hill I encouraged the group to part ways and find a tree that sends them good energy. The idea was to be with the tree and talk to it, touch it, smell it, make friends with it. After some time we got together and I asked the participants to tell the story of the tree - how old it is, what has it seen, experienced. I encouraged to reflect on the sensations, observe their feelings and their relation to an object in nature.

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You didn't come into this world.  You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean.  You are not a stranger here.  Alan Watts

3. “Feeling the Earth”. Time 20:45-21:30 (Sunset 21:07). The group gathered in a flat, well grounded place in the park. First of all I encouraged the participants to move in space, listen to the sounds, observe the differences from the morning sounds. Gradually we lay down, connecting to each other, feeling our bodies sinking in. We start making sounds, imitating the natural sounds that surrounds us, improvising together within the group and with nature as well. We calm down with the setting sun, until the dusk is overcome by darkness.

4. “Listening to your inner voice -out loud”. Time 22:00-22:30. By this time we approach the rotunda in the park. I ask the participants to take place in the rotunda and sing or make sounds as they wish. Due to the unique architectural form, the voices are enhanced and the performer hears herself loud and clear. We reflect on it as a symbol - we are a part of the nature, we are nature, but we can manage to hear ourselves when we want to.

Result: The workshop had an enormous positive outcome. The feedback form the participants were very constructive and encouraging. I believe that this workshop can be organised for a group up to 10 people. It can give a possibility to rest from all kinds of noises, look at the bigger picture. I gave a tittle “Inner-Outer Connect(ions)”, as it incorporates all these element - connecting to the outside, inside, and interconnecting both parts.

Personal and professional reflection:

I believe that the workshop in Hungary gave me more confidence and skills to lead small groups. The pilot activity only proved, that I don’t need a lot of physical resources to create a comfortable environment, where people can gain positive experiences.

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