Lotus Project yoga meets poetry
Αθήνα, 21/03/2025, εργαστήριο για εκπαιδευτικούς, Bruno Freyssinet, Φωτεινή Δημητρίου
Lotus Project yoga meets poetry
Freyssinet Bruno artistic director of Transplanisphere France
Foteini Dimitriou Yoga Family Violet Alignment school, Greece
WORKSHOP
At Athens International Conference "Theatre/Drama & Inclusive Education"
21-23 of March 2025
Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
Language: English/Greek/French
For a limited number of participants
Short description
Lotus Project is an Erasmus+ programme where yoga meets poetry. This programme which is designed for refugees was born in Paris, with the collaboration of three partners: Transplanisphère (Paris, France), Yoga Family Violet Alignment (Athens, Greece) and Sur Mesure (Berlin, Germany). (https://lotus-project.net/)
This Lotus workshop aims to provide a safe space for refugees, connecting them with their bodies through gentle yoga postures to improve mental well-being through breathing techniques and mindfulness. Poetry welcomes participants to connect with their feelings, helps them release stress and fosters a sense of community. It is an opportunity for self-expression through poetry or any story that comes up.
Lotus project is characterized as an innovative educational method, in the evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme and has been approved to apply this new method. A first Lotus workshop has already taken place in Athens in May 2024, in collaboration with Home Project for Youth Refugees. In Paris, the workshop took place during the Olympic Games in collaboration with Singa and the new House of Refugees. Similarly, in Berlin at the end of 2024.
Objectives:
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Emotional Balance: To help participants process emotions through mindfulness, movement, and creative expression.
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Community Building: To create a safe and supportive community where participants feel seen, heard and understood.
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Empowerment: To encourage self-empowerment by giving participants tools to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges.
Workshop Structure:
1. Welcome and Introduction: Ice-breaking activity to help participants feel comfortable and connected. Explanation of the connection between yoga, poetry, and writing.
2. Mindful Breathing: Grounding techniques to help participants feel present and safe in the space.
3. Gentle Yoga Practice: A series of gentle yoga poses focusing on relaxation, body awareness, and emotional release. Adaptations for all levels of physical ability, ensuring inclusivity.
4. Mindfulness and breathing: Emphasis on mindfulness and connecting with one's body.
5. Poetry Reading & Writing Session: Reading simple and impactful poems that explore themes of resilience, hope and identity. Guided writing prompting participants to explore their emotions, experiences and hopes. Option to write individually or collaborate in pairs/small groups. No pressure to share; the focus is on personal expression.
6. Sharing and Reflection: Invitation to participants to share their poems or stories, if they feel comfortable. Group reflection on the experience, discussing the emotions and insights that arose during the practice.
Everybody is welcome to join this workshop, even if there is no background in yoga or poetry. You just need to wear comfortable clothes for the gentle yoga postures. One could easily perform the yoga postures while sitting on a chair as well.
Workshop includes exercises with possible physical contact.
Bruno Freyssinet is the art director of La Transplanisphere, an art company based in Paris. Since 2010, the company has designed and managed international cooperation projects supported by the European Commission. Its projects combine theatre, intercultural dialogue, international mobility, and education. The company developed 5 cooperation projects with Greek organizations in the past years.
Foteini Dimitriou is the founder of the Yoga Family Violet Alignment school. She is project manager and partner of the Erasmus+ programme Lotus Project. She is an author of two books, Yoga tales, published by Ontime books, and Wandering in Paris, a poetry book published by Akakia publications.
Organised by the Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
www.Theatroedu.g / info@theatroedu.gr