ERASMUS+ Youthworker mobility

Layers of Existence

An 8-day training course

for 24 youth workers from 7 countries
(Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, Greece)

It will take place in the Latvian countryside
from the 14th to the 21st of August 2025.

This training is an immersive exploration of the many layers of existence—body, breath, mind, emotions, and beyond—using a diverse range of practices that foster well-being and professional growth. Through movement, embodiment techniques, and involving theatrical self-expression tools, participants will strengthen their emotional resilience, creativity, and ability to navigate challenges.

About the project

We will draw from somatic practices, theater, dance, mindfulness, and Vedic knowledge, integrating wholesome approach of Sri Sri Yoga as one of the key tools to enhance balance and self-awareness. The program offers a dynamic mix of reflection and experience, equipping youth workers with practical methods to support themselves and the young people they work with.By combining theoretical insights with hands-on learning, we will cultivate empathy, active listening, and cultural sensitivity—essential skills for connecting with diverse communities. In the frame of this project yoga refers not so much on practice of asanas as holistic well-being, adaptability, and empowerment through multiple modalities.We will attend to all 7 layers of our existence—engaging the body, intellect, and emotions in an integrated approach to growth.

The WHY of the project

Youth workers often face high stress, emotional strain, and burnout, which can diminish their effectiveness and motivation. Traditional programs frequently overlook the importance of self-care and embodied well-being, leaving professionals without the tools to manage these challenges.Layers of Existence was designed to fill this gap by integrating yogic practices, somatic techniques, creative expression, and mental health education into a structured and engaging experience. This approach empowers youth workers to cultivate resilience, emotional regulation, and self-awareness—so they can sustain their well-being while continuing to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Methods used

Yogic practices based on a seven layers model

  • Sri Sri Yoga

  • Breathing techniques

  • Meditation

  • Self observation

  • Vedic knowledge on nature about functioning of humans (Upanishads & Patanjali Yoga sutras)

  • Contact Improvisation

  • Theatrical expressions

  • Somatic experiencing

Who is this training for

This training is intended for people who are actively involved in youth work — whether as youth workers, educators, social workers, trainers, or volunteers. We welcome participants who are already engaged in supporting young people in their communities and who are eager to deepen their personal and professional capacities.

A training course is not a vacation or a nearly cost-free spiritual retreat, nor is it a place for personal therapy sessions. Layers of Existence is meant to be a dynamic learning adventure where you’ll immerse yourself in intensive growth, both personally and professionally. It’s about seizing the opportunity to absorb new skills and insights, ready to give back to the world with fresh perspectives and expertise.

Who can apply:

  • Residents of: Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, Greece

  • More than 21 years old

  • Youth worker, trainer, facilitator, social worker, volunteer, artist, body worker, therapist or educator

  • Committed to participating in ALL the phases of the training: Preparation, Training course (at least 7 hours per day) & Follow up.

  • Motivated to share his knowledge and tools received.

  • Fluent in English so that you can participate fully in the project.

We are looking for participants who:

  • Have some prior experience in youth work or related community-based activities

  • Are genuinely motivated to explore tools for self-care, emotional resilience, and holistic well-being

  • Are open to physical and creative practices — such as yoga, breathing exercises, movement, and group expression

  • Are ready to take part in a full-time, immersive program that combines reflection, embodiment, and group learning

  • Feel curious about how body-based approaches can enhance their ability to support others

  • You don’t need to be an expert in yoga or movement — just bring an open mind, a willingness to participate, and a readiness to explore yourself through different forms of learning.

Timeline (actions to take)

  • !!! Carefully read this info page.

  • Fill in the application form untill 15th of May (Button at the bottom). It is possible to get in touch with the partner organisation in your country, but it is not essential for the selection process. The most important is that you provide a short VIDEO with Your motivation to participate.

  • Between the 19th and 26th of May, we will respond in any case, whether you are selected or not. If you are selected we expect to receive a confirmation response within a few days or we might give the place to someone on the waiting list.

  • If you are selected, we expect your active participation in preparing and confirming your travel plan, so that by the beginning of June you already have your main travel tickets booked. If you are placed on the waiting list, we might contact you in case of any cancellations.

  • All approved participants will receive further guidelines for training preparation and arrival details.

  • We expect you to arrive at the venue on the evening of the 13th of August.

  • After the training departure is planned on the morning of August 22.

  • To receive your travel reimbursement, follow-up and dissemination activities after the training are essential. We will guide and support you throughout this process, but we expect active collaboration in spreading the project results through both digital and real-life activities in your local communities. These activities should be completed by mid-October 2025.

Venue - Guest house "Laumas"

Laumas Recreation Park, located in the scenic Talsi Municipality of Latvia, offers a peaceful and nature-rich setting for your Erasmus+ training course. Just 20 km from Talsi, this venue features a spacious guesthouse with a 100 m² seminar hall, comfortable accommodations, and essential amenities for group learning and collaboration. Surrounded by forests and educational nature trails, it provides a perfect balance between focused training and deep integration. Easily accessible yet secluded from urban distractions, Laumas ensures a productive and inspiring experience for all participants.
Wi-Fi will be available.

Accommodation, food, and travel within the defined travel budget limit per country are funded by the EU. See the travel reimbursement section for country-specific travel budget limits.

To maintain a safe and focused atmosphere for everyone, we invite you to agree to an alcohol- and drug-free policy throughout the entire training course.

Kristaps Ditke

Trainer

Since 2007 Kristaps has started his embodiment awareness journey through learning and teaching Yoga and breathing techniques under one of the world’s largest volunteer-based non profit The Art Of Living. In 2015 thanks to meeting with Antonio Cargnello he found Contact Improvisation. Since then the intentional dance discovery of Kristaps has been touched by somatics, contemporary dance, aerial silks, acrobatics, martial arts, dance improvisation and nature based learning approaches as well as many teachers from them few the most impactful – Antonio Cargnello, Julia Melnik, Charlie Morrissey, Inese Upe, Asaf Bachrach. He has found dance and particularly CI as an essential and complementary tool for spreading human values and joy.

Antonio Cargnello

Trainer

Antonio is a passionate trainer who loves to craft experiences for self development, group awareness, creative expression and pursuit of a wise and joyful freedom. He facilitates workshops for teenagers, students, youth workers and adults, using and mixing his expertise and experiences from theatrical improvisation, contemporary dance, martial arts and contact improvisation.

Lana Cernohorski

Co-facilitator / Technical assistance

Lana is an educator for neurodivergent children and youth, with an MSc in Special Education. She has many years of experience working with children and young people from diverse social backgrounds in both formal and non-formal settings. In recent years, she has been focusing more on non-formal education, with an emphasis on somatic practices and embodiment approaches. She is currently completing Somatic School to become a certified Body-Oriented Coach. Some of her passions include learning and exploring new things, making meaningful connections, spending time in nature, and engaging in movement and dance—especially contact improvisation.

Food

Our amazing cook:Ilze Lieldaudziete has extensive experience in Ayurvedic cooking.All our food will be SATVIC (vegetarian), light, nutritious, and include vegan options.

Travel reimbursement

Latvia: 28 EUR;
Poland: 211EUR;
Slovenia: 309EUR;
Italy: 309EUR;
France: 309EUR;
Spain: 395EUR;
Greece: 395EUR;

Contacts of our partners

Zaptes Rūķi (LV)
[email protected]Educational Cha(lle)nge (PL)
[email protected]Waste Into Treasure
[email protected]Associazione Teatro invisibile
[email protected]TERRE DE NUAGES
[email protected]Asociacion Cultural y Social Trib-Arte
[email protected]Creative YouthLand
[email protected]

The travel costs of participants will be refunded after the training course, usually within 6–8 weeks, after everyone submit all their travel documents and complete the required closing tasks for the project, including dissemination.

Deadline for application is 15th of May

In application You will be asked to add a link to a 2 - 3 minutes long video of yourself where you briefly share why you are applying, your experience in youth work, and how you plan to spread the knowledge gained from the training. Without the video your application will not be evaluated.