Let’s start telling that we had a plan! Last meeting in Lustin (Outward Bound trainingcentre) we agreed to have a meeting in Arktos ngo, the workplace of Gert. We even agreed about the topics: having a look on our projects, a workshop on active reviewing and a workshop on forumtheater. Work or school-obligations and illness strew soot in our food as a Belgian expression says so that eventually only half the B-group signed present.

But it wasn’t the case we had nothing to tell, in opposite! We talked about our projects: Dirk and Gert gave a 3-day training for trainers for Gert’s colleagues with a focus on the facilitator’s attitude, Bert has next week a follow up of his project with all his new colleagues who followed a experiential learning weekend, December 2009. Bert is also going to give a one day teambuilding for a home guidance service, … . Dirk explained us about his meeting in Ostend (Belgian seaside) with all the trainers. He told us about the evaluation of via experientia by Grundvig, the program in Italy and the future ideas of Via Experientia: Biggas plannas! We found ourselves already dreaming about the Italian adventure!

Good luck with all your projects and until may!

The B-group!

The B-team arrived in the Outward Bound house in Lustin on Fridaymorning 22nd January. It promised to be a beautiful winterday with blue sky and a lot of sunlight. All were present, except ‘blond’ Bert who had to stay home fulfilling his duty as father (wife and little son were just too sick). So we were five in total, a small group, but enough to make the two days entertaining and interesting!

The B-team just before entering the cave

What did we do…

On Friday Gert en Bertas facilitated the proces of the B-team during the whole day. They started up with an opening round (trying to bridge the gap between kirksnove and Lustin, a gap of about 4 months), followed by two dynamics (mohawk walk and tractor tyre) and some short reviewing in between. In the afternoon they took us to the outward bound cave for different activities, sometimes concluded with a debrief. The last caving activity was called the elephant-‘trunk’ (??? The long nose of the elephant). It’s a long corridor you have to crawl through mainly on your elbows. And suddenly we found ourselves talking about a really relaxing Mojito-bar at the end of the corridor. That was also energising! Returning home completely satisfied and realising we missed the best sunny part of day while caving, we prepared a very nice spaghetti. To end the day we had a long debrief about personal and group issues during the whole day, making use of a time line with drawings. Some of these drawings were part of our Mojito Quiz.

At least some rest for Dirkas

The following day we started with a metareflection on the proces facilitation by Gert and Bertas, with a focus on their attitude and program planning. Both of them got some personal feedback by an exercise called ‘the statue’. You read more about it in our personal accounts of the two days. Dirk took over to present us some thoughts about the what, why and when of Edgework according to Nadler and Luckner (the writers of Dirk’s experiential learning bible). He explained the model of comfort-/stretch-/panic-zone in a profound way.

Ellen goes through the tractor tyre

To conclude our training we talked about our personal projects. Gert informed us about the training-weekend for new professionals at Lejo in December 2009 where he joined blond Bert (Lejo is the organisation where Bert works with socially disadvantaged youngsters). Gert was really enthousiast about the weekend, great team of participants, good cooperation with Bert and the others facilitators of Lejo. Ieva informed us about the first meeting with the members of Aisec. She facilitated a session of 2,5 hours with a very good result. Aisec will decide at the end of January how they want to continue the training. Gert shortly speaked about the training he is planning with Dirk for the people of Arktos (where Gert works himself, also an organisation for socially disadvantaged youngsters) who already are familiar with experential learning. It will be a more in-depth training, focussing on facilitator’s attitude and edgework. Bertas let us know he decided to postpone his second project on intercultural learning at his school Gent to September 2010 due to a agenda too filled up with other things.

Ieva in the cave

How did we experience all of this ourselves…

Ieva: “ My mind was living with B-group meeting starting with two days before the actual meeting. As project participant/facilitator I was ready and eager to move on for the improvement step: learning new methods, deepening the knowledge that I was carrying with myself, hearing and discussing other facilitation experiences. I was willing to try myslelf in a better quality; to challenge myself – as person and as facilitator. My expectations were fully satisfied.

During the first day, we had Bert and Gert facilitation day. I, as a participant of one day training, was ready to bring myself for a challenge in every step that I could. I know how I used to be in the trainings as a group member: serious, very (and too much) focused on myself and my emotions during the trainings/being afraid of becoming too much emotional/weak; being more aside of the group and steping in only when there is urgently noone else. So this time, within this training, I knew that I want to try be a participant in a different way: active, supportive, present with the group by actions and discussions, recognizing and facing my fears, accepting them and learning how me and myself can go through them.

For all the steps rest of the group members fulfilled me. Like in that song “love is in the air” I want to say “quiet support was in the air”. And I could enjoy breathing it.

I found very useful and revealing the edgwork part presented by Dirkas. Experienced fears and emotions in caves was linking with edgework and I still reflect on those extraordinary moments.  I am happy to feel that I am not searching myself, but starting to find myself. Assertive how I want to put my foot for the upcoming life step.”

Gert in the 'birthing canal'

Gert: “ I was excited of meeting the B-group again, this time for a weekend of action, reflection, meta-analysis and a littlebit of theory. Together with Bertas I prepared one day of grouptasks. Excited of seeing everybody again, but also eager to train my skills with a little (we were 5, Bert couldn’t make it) and already experienced group. We came together at the station of Namur and headed for Lustin: the Outward Bound trainingcentre. From start there were already great vibes in the group! Starting with the openinground these vibes were calling for action and so we did! It was a great feeling of hanging in ropes and tires again and going into the caves (for 5 hours!!!) After a selfmade delicious dinner, we held a reflection of the whole day With 3 “important moment” drawings each person, we made a timeline.

For me it was a great weekend! Sometimes I cought myself between here and there, being trainer/observer and/or participant. I had great talks with Bertas about reading the group and planning the next steps. The timeline-reflection brought us some cosy togetherness! With a great Belgian Beer we were ready to hit for our beds. The next morning we had a meta-reflection. Ieva modulated me into a statue of how she looked at me as a trainer. Describing how I felt as this statue and having feedback of the others, gave me some things to think about! My mind was really triggered. Dirkas explanation of edgework on top of it made my mind exploding: Pop-ups of questions and examples from my work, my family, myself: what a blast!

Planning the next moments again I was caught between here and there: the planning and my triggered thoughts. For me: mission accomplished! Thank you Bertas, Ieva, Ellen and Dirkas!

Gert as a statue, by Ieva

Ellen: “After a lot of inner struggle I found myself in the group, in the cave, in the kitchen, in the garden, in this beautiful spot of Belgium with a lot of funny, interesting, adventurous and reflective, warm moments together with the great togetherness of the B-group. Thank you for sharing.”

Dirkas: “2010 Started busy, many course , demanding clients, rush, …But there was one highlight…the B group meeting in Lustin (Outward Bound centre). I was looking forward to be trained by Bert en Gert , excited by preparing some inputs on edge work.

It was great to take part in the activities. I found myself sitting in the tractor tyre , pulling Ieva through, dancing on the mohawk walk , enjoying , learning,… The afternoon we spend in the cave,  5 hours….  Back in the house late  but it was great.

A week before we had our two days Outward Bound soft skills training where we worked with body work. We worked with body sculpture, something I used a lot before but completely forgot… so I tried to use it to give feedback to Bert and Gert . We sculptured them the way we saw them as experiential trainers… worked well . Was nice to see how they could feel it themselves…

I loved the discussion on edgework , starting with thinking back on what happened in the cave, how it felt, stretch-panic, what happened at the edge…. Good discussion on how to work with it… For me it was  nice to be able to work with people who are already well experience, open , reflecting…  It gave me a lot of energy. Looking forward to the next meeting of the B-group.”

Ellen in the 'birthing canal'

Bertas: “Like the others members, I was ‘eager’ to continue our togetherness and explore experential learning a little bit further in our B-team. So it was ’stressing’ that I had difficulty to get in Lustin (where the nice Outward Bound House is located) due to problems with the trains. I really wanted to start, but I had to wait a little longer… Fortunately, as I fully engaged in the first two dynamics (mohawkwalk and tyre), they brought me a lot of fun and energy. It made me realise the importance of playful and ‘adventurous’ activities to raise the energy of a group and its members.

Gert and I were in charge for the group process and it was fun and exciting to talk about the group proces, trying to find a next activity that would suits its development . Sometimes we were thinking in a different way, but in the end came to the same conclusion.  So personally I think we were pretty complementary. During saturday afternoon we went ‘caving’, long and nice. But what I enjoyed maybe even more was the dinner cooking afterwards. There was a very nice atmosphere, everybody at ease, everybody helping a little bit, happy to be there in a relax, more ’silent’ way (as some of us were also getting very tired). The same quality of togetherness was present in the debrief with the drawings, so it was a nice exchange of thoughts, feelings and smiles…

On the second day we had personal feedback, to the point and therefore ‘full of learning’ about our personal style of facilitating. I liked the exercise ‘clay modelling’ a lot. Ellen had to ‘model’ me, as if I were clay, into a statue that expressed her view on me as facilitator. I could see her thinking while she was at work with me, adjusting, trying to be more precise. And I of course had a meaningful physical experience. Nice talk with Ellen afterwards… During the conversation on the comfort/stretch/panic I suddenly realised how dynamic those three zones can be (unlike the graphical presentation in three static circles). That was what you could call a kind of ‘insight’.

Bert as a statue, by Ellen

I’m already looking forward to our next meeting, where other Bert and I will prepare a little workshop on Forum Theatre..”

And finally, once again, the Belgian team before they hit the cave

Until next time!

even the fences are covered by deep snow

Jurga:

This time we all met in Latvia – had a wonderful chance to visit our neighbor Rolands. We had 2 wonderful days together: on the first day we did a cross-country skiing hike, travelling over the frozen lake, forests, full of fresh snow, even managed some of the tricky slopes!. That was something incredible!!! And warm, relaxing sauna in the evening (of course !)…

On the second day we were able to point the exact places in our bodies where some time ago real muscles used to thrive!… That became a good reason to sit down and talk about our projects – some of them are done already, some are on their way, some – little by little getting primary sketches. That was a real wonderful time for learning – how to present your program/idea, how to ask for the feedback, how to analyze the learning points.

at the begining of the first day

We all ended up full of deep impressions – personal and professional ones. Here come some of them:

Kastytis:

First thought: working in the team brings joy, power and a lot of experience;

Second: understanding that I discover anew myself and other people with whom I work;

Third: it was very nice to work in Latvia – the depth of the snow and of our work was OK.

crossing the frozen lake!

Rolands:

1. Eight Lithuanians all fit in one minibus.

2. Although Lithuania is a country in the South (if to look from Latvia) they are quite good on skis.

3. Sometimes the best motivation or kickoff for “start of doing something” is just to set deadline.

crossing the small bridge over the little spring

Loreta:

I feel like in love, flowing in the air!. I recharged my batteries emotionally and physically. Daily routine kills enthusiasm to learn more, to look for answers to questions that bother me, and meeting dear people and sharing with them gave me a kick to seek dream that I had once. Many PALDIES to you Rolands, and all you guys AČIŪ.

drinking the water from the Holy Spring

Alma:

How nice it is to discover extraordinary things in some simple ones… how nice it is to fall into the snowdrift and simply laugh out of joy… how nice it is to discover that all this is not only the academy of the experience but also the academy of life. I am so happy to be here…

Dalius:

New learning point: not to have any preconceived attitudes about what should be the team-work result after the task is done. It is important that you yourself realize clearly what is the purpose of the task, given to the group !

at the end of the meeting - ready to go home

Gytis:

Previous times, after our sessions I was returning in to my work with more trust of other people, more enthusiastic. Now it is the opposite. I obviously see that my work which I am doing for years can be ruined in a week. I find answers what to do, but I don’t want to do that because it seems so hopeless.

Maybe the reason of that is that during these two days in Latvia everything was so perfect: to listen and to talk about painful things without frustration, to feel accepted and accept the others, to watch how each member and the group is growing…. I can write it until infinity.

During trip to my home I began to wait for our next meetings.

AND OF COURSE THERE IS A QUIZ FROM THE BALTIC TEAM! LOOKAT THE PHOTO:

quiz to the VIA-EXPERIENTIA tribe: what does this photo evidence?

Give your answers in the comments!

Last night, in the restaurant owned and run by one man on his own (he does everything – cooking, serving, smiling, taking orders, clearing tables!) we put down some ideas about our time together these last days and nights. For you to decide what is true? what is false?

We were on good behaviour!

We were respectful!

meeting

We had some conflicts and we solved them!

There were some headaches!

We created a wonderful programme fulfilling everyone’s needs, wishes and aspirations!

wonderful programme

Even understanding why we are involved in this via Experientia!

why we do this?!

We worked hard to eat within the budget in order to save money for Italy!

waiting happily for Turkish food!

We found out that Kaasteel beers help Aura help Dirk focus on budgetary questions!

We walked the mean streets of Oostende, with a biting wind, even some snow whistling past our ears..

ah, the wet streets of Oostende!

The seagulls sang to us as we wended our way past the port

Oostende seagull about to sing

and discovered trawlers which used to fish near Iceland!

Amandine the trawler

and it was cold and Mario needed to get us back to the meeting room where it was WARM!

Mario convinces us all!

Computers rule our world and help us think, maybe!

Clearly – for some of us – the effort began to show on our faces!

Extreme concentration

and we get closer to our goal...

and we had some exciting discussions based on our learning diaries from Kirksnove!

these things we write are so incredible!

And we left Oostende, thankful for Dirk’s hosting of us (and the wonderful Outward Bound Belgium bus – DANK U!)

and convinced that the next step of via Experientia will bring us all so much!!

See you soon!

And remember to take part in the Belgian team’s Moquito Quiz!

(by the way, the title of this blogas article is influenced by Björn’s favourite DJ Cam track which has someone saying “6 million ways to die, choose one” over and over on top of some very sweet music!)

[by the way, by the way, we decided to re-name this blogas and call it "Our Blogas" as soon as the web master can make the change! so don't be surprised! It is the same blogas, it just changes the name to better describe what it is!]

The question is for each drawing the same: what is it about? It’s very  easy to participate: you just reply on the blogas with your answers within the following week. Next week we’ll send you the original photo’s, our report about the weekend and the announcement of the winner of the quiz. What’s there to win? A big Mojito-cocktail on a relaxing moment somewhere in May in beautiful Italy, served to you by the one and only B-team!

a moment in the stretch zone

Drawing 1: a moment in the stretch zone

A: someone is building a ‘human bridge’ above a very little but still very wet river

B: someone is trying to connect the beginning of the Lustin-weekend with the end of the Kirksnove-experience: ‘where is it all leading to?’

C: someone holds on in order not to fall down

D:  someone doesn’t like the French, euh, Belgian fries we served on Friday evening

the elephant and me

Drawing 2: the elephant and me

A: we found ourselves in search for the secret room at the end of the elephant-‘nose’-pipe in the Outward Bound cave.

B:  we reflected on the place of the individual participant with the bigger organism of the group, experienced  as a big and slow elephant.

C: someone thought of him/herself as being an elephant  in a shop full of ‘porcelain’ (???), referring to a well-known belgian saying expressing one’s inability to act in a cautious and subtle way.

D:  we did a particular yoga-activity in the morning, called ‘the elephant’. Someone can assure you: that’s also very stretchy!

an unknown Leonard Da Vinci

Drawing 3: a unknown portray by our Leonardo Da Vinci (better known as Dirk De Vilder). Who is being portrayed, smiling happily and satisfied?

A: Bertas

B: Ellen

C: Ieva

D: Gert

everywhere you go, always take the sun with you

Drawing 4: everywhere you go, always take the sun with you …

A: someone was pretty desperate because of sitting all day inside the Outward Bound centre during one of those rare sunny winterdays in Belgium, longing behind the window for some sun on his/her skin.

B: we had to perform a multitask-activity, ending with a pretty spectacular leap from the big window at the back of the Outward Bound Centre. Once more in the strech zone!

C:  during the evening and after a very cold and grey Belgian-winterday all of us dreamed of sunbathing in Italy

D:  we were taking about the importance of ‘reframing your mind’  for experential learning. Finding a new ‘frame’  of thinking and feeling, a new perspective on what happens to you does make a big difference: it enables you to look at the bright side of live all the time!

Today we have something quite new! One of our members has written “Introduce” a piece about discovery, about enlightenment… But while this person wants to share with us all, this person would like to remain annonymous! So, you can guess who has written “Introduce“!  [Of course, if anyone else wants to share with us a new mystery, then just let me know!].

Introduce

Three months of new breath, new shelter. Three months receiving morning hug, given by the road bricks, rushing together with me… and willing to tell their stories.  Three months grandfather bridge slowly waving to me and each day giving opportunity to read his heavy, thoughtful, historical wrinkles. Three months of urchin river wind, cuddling and playing with my curls. Three months of patient train doors… laying its hands forward and welcoming. Three months of office chair, offering its kind comfort, keeping the secrets of my mind, supporting my mistakes – at the end of day accepting being left and waiting me next morning after.

And three months of me not noticing any of it.

Three months of running forward… but leaving my mind to chit-chat with my past. Three months of constant and silent invitations of two guests ‘Why’ and ‘How’. Three months of them ignoring, not visiting me and the same three months of me still waiting and hoping of their arrival.

Three months of ignoring new friend ‘Here and now’ – my present… and arguing with my past.

I wake up! to introduce myself – introduce to my current and to my new.

Just thought you might like to know that it is not only we who look at this web site!

Since the beginning of September there have been over 1700 visits from over 50 countries to see what we are doing and thinking and saying!
Strangely enough (!) many of the visits come from Lithuania, Italy, Latvia, Iceland, Netherlands, Belgium and France – this might have something to do with where we live…
But there are also substantial numbers from Spain, the UK, Montenegro, Turkey and Austria. And we even get visits from Indonesia, New Zealand, Cameroon and Costa Rica!

So the word about via Experientia spreads and one day we will cover the world!

Happy New Year!!

Happy Christmas and an experiential New Year!

Wish I could make it bigger!

Thanks again Loretta!

Well, everything started in the afternoon of 9th of November. Meeting at Alma’s office to work out practice programme, Loreta and Kastytis arrived and found out that on Thursday the course would start.

AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Different ideas, different experiences, lots of talks filled in Alma’s office. The goal of practice was to develop competences of consultants for informal education. Many thanks to the wise man Artūras!.

Finally the BIG day: introduction to participants, getting to know each other by doing common activities, puzzling out learning points and waiting to meet all on 3^rd and 4^th of December.

Disarming a dangerous nuclear bomb

Next session was on 3^rd and 4^th of December. We had an urban hike and took part in practices held by participants.

Hammmmmmmm harmonising organ )

Jingle bells, jingle bells!

After practice a week later we met in Ukmergė. Kastytis is a hospitable host.  We were dazed by his estate.

Knocking into Kastytis house )

Kastytis’ estate in Ukmergė

Discussing learning points

Though our team is young the practice went well and we found learning points that we hadn’t even planned…

Celebration of practice succsex ) up success!

We are waiting impatiently to share our experience with you all in Italy.