The thought guides the body

“Experimenting with new behaviors, forms of expression, and attitudes through playful interaction with others can help raise awareness of entrenched habits or mental blocks—and even break them down. Within the safe space of fictional stage reality, there is an opportunity to tentatively identify with aspects of oneself that are rarely or never expressed in everyday life. This can have a liberating and stabilizing effect on the participant.” (Jürgen Weintz, theater educator)

These words aptly describe the workshop week on the island of Usedom at the DRK seminar house “Hausbrainstorm.” Just behind the dunes, sixteen participants, two instructors, and two project staff members worked together to explore how to consciously perceive one’s own body and effectively use it as a resource, and how to express inner processes in a way that is appropriate to the situation and goal-oriented.

To this end, the winter school built upon the work of previous workshops that had focused on the “Zug um Zug” method as a potential coaching approach. “Zug um Zug” served as a framework and method for playful interaction throughout the workshop.

Together with Daniela Schober, a trainer and consultant for executives with many years of experience on stage and in front of the television camera, the participants developed concrete knowledge about status effects, communications technology, and behavioral preferences through “Zug um Zug.” Bodywork was used to raise awareness of participants’ own body perception and the impression they make on others. Additional support was provided by communication psychologist and actor Maurice Ittershagen.

Theater director and author Andreas Neu, along with Berlin-based actress Jasmin Wyszka, used “Zug um Zug” to explore the participants’ motivations for action and interpersonal conflicts. The goal was to make inner processes visible, actable, and open to reflection. Ultimately, a good understanding of individual motivations and resistance, along with the exploration of alternative courses of action, stood out as the key added value for the participants at the heart of the workshop.

Participating communication psychologist Dr. Jörg Heidig combined this preparatory work with the opportunity to use archetypes on the performance space to make inner processes even more tangible.

During the busy week, the participants experienced firsthand that training, counseling, and coaching can work through dramatic methods, and they discovered what personal resources are unleashed when physicality, action, and play complement simply “talking about it.” The thought does not remain merely a thought or a word, but guides the body.

In summary, the Winter School was not only a trip to the lake but also a kind of inner journey. Feedback from the participants showed that it was also a journey rich in experience.

You can find more events organized by the Career Services Office at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences here.

Author: Maurice Ittershagen