From 30 June to 8 July 2025, Inna Ryshkova, teacher of the Department of Management, Social Sciences, Humanities and Fundamental Disciplines, took part in the international training course ‘Mindful Pathways; Wellbeing tools for youth work!’, which took place in the Altera Lab youth centre in Aparan, Armenia, within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme.

The event united 24 youth workers, leaders and educators from eight countries: Slovakia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia. The project aimed to study and learn practical tools for stress management and improving resourcefulness in working with young people.

The programme included a variety of holistic approaches.

The most impressive was the Feldenkrais Method, a system of mindfulness through movement developed by engineer and judo master Moshe Feldenkrais. Under the guidance of the coach Sebastian Utecht, moving from the fingers to the whole body, participants learned new feelings of freedom and unity with their own bodies, leaving behind anxiety and obsessive thoughts. In the context of constant work and study in a dangerous area, the combination of movement and mindfulness was particularly valuable as a tool for liberation from the permanent anxiety that lives in thoughts and bodily reactions. Having clear thoughts and reactions is very important for teachers, students, and future graduates, who contribute to creating a peaceful sky over Ukraine through their actions in the field of education and beyond.

After returning home, Inna Serhiivna continues to use the techniques she has learned. She will be happy to share the knowledge and skills she has acquired with the staff and students of the College in the new academic year.  Our teacher noticed the following effects after the training:

• Improved mind-body connection
• Reduced stress and tension
• Greater openness to new approaches at work
• Understanding of the importance of physical practices for mental health and cognitive processes.

Participation in the training was a valuable experience for professional and personal growth. The knowledge and techniques acquired will be integrated into the work with young people, as understanding the importance of a holistic approach to well-being is critical in the educational process.

Special thanks to the organisers from Altera Lab, trainers Sebastian and Laura, as well as all participants, for creating an atmosphere of trust and openness necessary for such profound transformations.