The Mindful Journey of the Armenian Team at Lithuania's “Guides of Emotions”

From November 4 to 13, 2025, four youth workers from Armenia — Garik Saroyan, Anahit Mkhitaryan, Serine Gevorgyan, and Amalik Baghdasaryan — participated in the Erasmus+ training course “Guides of Emotions” held in the peaceful Čiūrai village of Panevėžys, Lithuania. The calm environment, limited internet connection, and mindful atmosphere allowed the participants to step away from daily noise and be fully present with themselves and with the group.

Over the course of eight days, participants from five countries learned, explored, and supported one another through a rich mix of sessions. Each morning began with gentle mindfulness practices that helped them enter the day with clarity and a sense of grounding. Throughout the program, the group experienced emotional intelligence not only through theory but also through gamification (LARP) and interactive activities that brought the learning to life. They worked in small teams, played awareness-based games, and explored emotional patterns through movement, puzzles, and group challenges. Numerous outdoor activities also helped participants reconnect with nature and with their own bodies.

One of the most meaningful moments for the group was the River Flow activity. Participants came together to create a symbolic “river of emotions,” each adding their own colours, drawings, and textures to a shared artwork. The process was calm and reflective, and as the river gradually formed, it felt as if the group’s individual experiences were blending into one collective emotional journey.

To put our learning into practice, we conducted short workshops at Krekenava School with three groups of students. During these sessions, we introduced the concept of emotional intelligence and helped the children explore their emotions, developing a better understanding of them. The next highlight of the session was Nonviolent Communication. Through real-life scenarios, roleplays and open conversations, we practised expressing ourselves honestly, listening without judgment and handling conflict with care. These tools felt practical and deeply relevant to our work with young people.

he Armenian team also hosted a cultural night, where they shared traditional dances, music, and a fun quiz about Armenia’s history and culture. It turned into a joyful, heartfelt evening that brought everyone together and allowed the team to present a piece of their heritage with pride.

For the participants, this training became much more than just a project — it grew into a journey of inner development, intercultural friendship, and emotional honesty. The team returned home inspired, calmer, and more connected to themselves, carrying a renewed commitment to bringing mindful practices, emotional intelligence, and compassionate communication into their youth work in Armenia.