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When it comes to human relationships, boundaries can get fluffy.
We want to have great connections with those we care about (and sometimes also with those we don't care about at all), we want to be liked and we want to feel like we belong. Up to the extent where we no longer respect our own needs and desires and lose touch with what is truly important. Care and compassion for all human beings, but first and foremost - for ourselves. |
ARE YOU HUNGRY?
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As we live in an increasingly technology-focused, socially disconnected world, we're touching each other much less than before.
What some psychologists term "skin hunger" (also known as touch hunger) is a need for physical human contact. Satisfying skin hunger requires to have meaningful physical contact with another person, and failing to observe the need for human touch can have profound emotional (less happiness, more loneliness, more likely to experience depression and stress, lower relationship satisfaction, mood and anxiety disorders, inability to express and interpret emotion, difficulty to create secure attachments with others), even physical (worse health and more immune disorders) consequences. human beings need touch almost as powerfully as they need basic necessities like food and water.But let's be honest - how many of us are receiving that touch on a daily basis?
Touch that is consensual, caring and unconditional? How many of us actually know how to offer that touch to another? It can be hard to stay conscious of our own personal needs and limitations, and sometimes even harder of those of another person. Welcome to Cuddlenation - a space and time to be true to ourselves, and (re)learning of giving and receiving physical touch with ease, love and respect. |
here's our intention |
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With the project Cuddlenation, we wish to reach the following objectives:
▼ create a safe space for ourselves to explore consensual, respectful and loving touch ▼ raise awareness of our own personal space and limits, learning to connect to one another in a deeply meaningful way ▼ share different methods connected to mindful body movement and touch ▼ for each participant to be able to maintain their personal boundaries, having the tools and guidelines to evaluate what is healthy and needed ▼ create a set of carefully crafted follow-up activities made to share the essence of Cuddlenation with locals in each partner country |
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THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
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The whole project is a co-creation, but we'll definitely use body movement and mindfulness practices, in-depth vulnerable sharing exercises, rituals and ceremonies from native tribes, dynamic meditation and visualisations, contact improvisation, tuning into senses and being in nature - all of this and much more to help you to explore, define and maintain strong personal boundaries, express your truth and create a personalised vision for future cuddles.
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BUT WHY?
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In its very essence, the project Cuddlenation is an answer to the increasing pain we see all around us in our communities, in our environment, in our economy. The world has clearly shifted out of balance, and it is our wish and desire to support others in recreating that sense of inner trust and harmony within themselves. Because by feeling inner harmony, we also start to feel outer harmony with the nature, people, and matters of 21st century - we come to accept things as they are, people as they are, situations as they are, and by doing so, we can take unbiased action towards a better future, improved and more inclusive relationships, and sensible decisions in various fields of our life.
Care for planet is what drives this project, and so we also bring in the principles of Zero-Waste philosophy. We reduce what we need, reuse as much as we can, send little to be recycled, and compost what we cannot. For this reason, we also ask you to take extra care for what you bring with you and how you show up in this project, limiting all waste both in terms of trash and unnecessary packaging, but also when using water, electricity and other resources of our planet. |
Here is what will happen when you come: |
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As you enter the sacred space of our circle you will:
▼ Reflect, accept and heal your past experiences regarding physical touch, creating a vision and rules for the future in respect for your personal boundaries, ▼ Develop a more mindful approach towards other people, together exploring different activities and methods to help you increase your connection to yourself, your body and others, ▼ Create your own unique, personal intention for how you want to be with other people, and gather the tools needed to stay committed to that intention, ▼ Connect with others in ways you might never thought possible / easy / comfortable, learning to be truly present in your social interactions, ▼ Feel the embrace of Mother Nature, soaking up the ability to see yourself as a part of a larger whole and a reflection of your outer circumstances. |
General attitude |
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We remind you that this project is a youth exchange happening under the Erasmus+ frame. You will not receive a certified training in meditation or movement practices. The team of the project are not professional psychologists, therapists or teachers.
We are here, creating Cuddlenation together, which will require your full involvement in all of the project stages - preparation, program activities (that include you delivering your own workshops as part of the community exchange), and the follow-up phase. The attitude we are keeping throughout the project is ''I create my own reality'', which means taking full responsibility for your own experience. You will be guided in the process by gentle facilitation, but taking your own pace throughout the journey. ''Youth exchange'' also means that it's for participants aged from 18-30 years old. |
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OUR SANCTUARY
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Our venue is located in a beautiful remote area with just a few neighbour houses around, with the nearest town Pūre at a distance of 5 km.
As you arrive, you will immediately notice the stunning nature views all around. There are a lot of forests and meadows for long, meditative walks, but the yard of our home is perfect for watching both the rising and the setting sun. We will live close together in the shared space of two living and working houses, in cozy yet modest conditions. During Cuddlenation, we will have our own cook preparing delicious, fully vegetarian meals, using local, organic, unpackaged products as much as possible. The venue has no alcohol and no drugs policy. To support our retreat, there will be no WiFi connection, so feel free to leave your electronic devices behind. |
time frame and costs
If you wish to explore Latvia, you can come/leave 2 days before/after the project dates. All expenses during these days are up to you.
The partner countries of this project are Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece and Latvia. Your travel expenses will be reimbursed according to the Erasmus+ distance calculator and the following limits:
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There is a contribution fee of 50 EUR to be paid upon registration.
The rest of the expenses within project dates are funded by Erasmus+ program. Note on travel reimbursement limits: The amounts written above have been calculated depending on the partner organisation's home city. If it differs from where you will start your travels from, the reimbursement limit might change. Contact your sending organisation for questions. |
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ABOUT US
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CONTACTS
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SPACE HOLDERS
rOTA GUļEVSKAA self-discovery guide whose main drive in life is taking care for planet and helping Mother Earth by supporting people to reconnect to themselves, others and nature through sensual grounding and mindfulness practices, rituals and ceremony.
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jānis StūrisA storyteller of visionary tales, a free and creative artist spirit whose biggest passions are writing and drawing.
His life is a wheel of constant (e)motion, taking him from one place to another, learning and growing through exploration. |
JOIN THE CREATIVE TEAM
Participants can also play a special role in the project by joining the media team. We are looking for:
▼ a film-maker for creating promotional videos of the project,
▼ a social media ninja to take care of our online activities on Instagram and Facebook.
If you are interested in any of those roles, add this information to your application form, and let us know about your creation so far by writing an e-mail to mindfuljourneyslv@gmail.com with a couple of examples of your work.
As a team member, you will participate in online planning and have the opportunity to experience the activities from a different point of view, while still playing an important role in the tribe. Your contribution fee will be covered.
▼ a film-maker for creating promotional videos of the project,
▼ a social media ninja to take care of our online activities on Instagram and Facebook.
If you are interested in any of those roles, add this information to your application form, and let us know about your creation so far by writing an e-mail to mindfuljourneyslv@gmail.com with a couple of examples of your work.
As a team member, you will participate in online planning and have the opportunity to experience the activities from a different point of view, while still playing an important role in the tribe. Your contribution fee will be covered.