Symposium 2019
The abstracts of the speakers are listed alphabetically by their last names. Lecture = V, Workshop = WS.
WS: JOURNEY TO THE ORIGINAL COMMUNITY OF OUR SOUL – SHAMAN DRUM JOURNEY, WITH INTUITIVE CREATIVE SPACE
Benzin, Corinna and Klemp, Stefanie
As social beings, we humans all originate from communities, also known as clans or tribes. Our cellular and subtle energy memory stores a sense of connection, oneness, and belonging. We can access these experiences in a variety of ways, or even rediscover them for the first time.
Using the shamanic technique of the drum journey, participants in this workshop are guided to the origin community of their soul. There, they have the opportunity to absorb all the salutogenic resources and healing impulses they have experienced and bring them back into the "here and now".
In a creative space, the images and feelings experienced in trance can be expressed beyond language. We experience ourselves as creators, which is expressed and becomes visible in the interplay of color and form. Initially, we do not enter the realm of language, allowing the experience time to express itself sensually. This makes it possible to anchor the imaginatively experienced and intuited resources visually and physically. There will be space to share the experience with others in a circle. Prior knowledge of shamanic and creative techniques is not required.
Corinna Benzin – born 1976 – physiotherapist, graduate designer and salutogenic consultant – has been (consciously) on the shamanic path for about 5 years – living and working in community with her 3-year-old son since 2012 (Bioland farm community Lindenhof, Eilum)
Stefanie Klemp – born 1979 – graduate designer, art therapist, SalKom consultant and coach, artist – lived in Dresden in a warm and creativity-generating community – currently working as an art therapist at the SysTelios Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Health Promotion
WS: INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPING COMMUNITY SKILLS
Dr. von Bialy, Helmut
Dealing with neurotic tendencies and psychosocial disorders in communities.
For almost ten years I have been working on building a collection of poems for process-accompanying psychosocial education or therapy-accompanying psycho-education for individuals, couples, groups and communities.
Some in the psychotherapy field describe this approach as a reading or reception variant of poetry therapy.
Hundreds of poems on significant themes of personal life and cohabitation, partnership, groups and communities are available to everyone on my website www.PsychoPoesiePortal.de
My experience is that many people, including those who have chosen to live in a community, lack a language and criteria for exploring and representing inner and social world processes.
Psychosocial speechlessness strikes me as a widespread societal problem. To counteract this problem, I have developed special materials (poems) for psychosocial education, which, in my experience, can reach not only the intellect but also the emotions. What remains as the work of individuals and groups is the incorporation and embodiment of this information through individual or collective actions – through movement and action, artistically and pragmatically in everyday life.
The poems explore philosophical, pedagogical, and psychotherapeutic approaches to working with individuals and groups. They address developmental crises across the lifespan, specifically referencing communal living—its challenges and opportunities.
These poems can support individuals,
- to become more aware, through self-exploration, of their present or past life themes, disturbances and disruptions that are disruptive to the present, as well as
- To discover and test value and development perspectives for oneself or together with others.
The poems can also be used to address developmental needs in communities, e.g., as a content stimulus for communal themed evenings.
Helmut von Bialy, PhD in Education/Psychology, Practice www.wie-weiter.de for – Psychotherapy (HP) – Practical Philosophy – Pedagogy of Participation – Poetry Therapy www.PsychoPoesiePortal.de
MORNING OFFER: SOUND MEDITATION
Binder, Theresia
The Five Elements from Indian philosophy – space, air, fire, water, and earth – are experienced through sound instruments from various cultures: singing bowls, didgeridoo, chimes, gong, sansula, rainstick, ocean drum, and frame drum. Sound speaks to our primal sense of trust, quickly leading to deep relaxation. Our awareness of inner processes is heightened, allowing our breath to flow more freely and deeply. This creates a stable foundation for activating our body's self-regulating forces. In a meditative sound journey, you can become aware of the elements in nature and within your own body.
Helene Theresia Binder, certified social worker, development of concepts from social work in the health sector, specialist author, founder of the "Forum for Health and Culture" and the "Culture and School" network NRW
V: Salutogenic structures in hospice care. Does end-of-life care exclude salutogenesis?
Chuks, Andrea
When we think of community life, we usually think of family and educational communities rather than situations in the healthcare sector, and especially living situations at the end of life. Are there recognizable salutogenic structures in hospice care? Are there connections between palliative care and salutogenesis? Or does end-of-life care inherently preclude salutogenesis because, supposedly, health promotion can no longer take place? What about meaningful lives within this small and very limited community of purpose? This presentation will explain the key terms of palliative and hospice care with regard to a possible salutogenic community life and will present, as an example, a newly opened inpatient hospice in Berlin where a salutogenic perspective has already been incorporated into the facility's concept.
Andrea Chuks, born 1967, Hospice and Nursing Management in Berlin, Specialist Nurse for Oncology and Palliative Care, Health Practitioner DGAM BfG, www.pgdiakonie.de/hospiz
MORNING OFFER: LAUGHTER YOGA TOWARDS A SALUTOGENIC COMMUNITY?!
Dreher, Jenny
Does communal laughter contribute to healthy development? What exactly is laughter yoga, and what is its connection to salutogenesis? Is laughter yoga an intense and stimulating dialogue of smiles? What effect do laughter exercises have on me personally and in relation to others? We will explore these questions in our morning session and experience the effects of laughter yoga. Laughter yoga is a unique concept that allows anyone to laugh for no reason at all. It doesn't require humor, jokes, or comedy. We begin by laughing as an exercise within a group. Through eye contact and childlike playfulness, laughter quickly becomes real and contagious. The reason it's called laughter yoga is that laughter exercises are combined with deep yoga breathing. This allows the body to absorb more oxygen, and we feel more vital and healthier. (Source: Dr. Madan Kataria)
Jenny Dreher 10/2008 – 02/2013 Studies in Health Promotion, Fulda University of Applied Sciences 03/2011 – 04/2015 Student Assistant in Occupational Health Management at EDAG Engineering AG since 03/2013 Studies in Social Work (BA), Fulda University of Applied Sciences 03/2014 Laughter Yoga Leader Training since 10/2014 Student Assistant in the module “Happiness and Health as Goals of Social Work” Exp. 02/2015 Laughter Yoga Teacher Training
WS: EVERY PERSON IS AN ARTIST. CREATIVE METHODS FOR PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
Fürstenberg, Antonia von
In the 1970s, the artist Joseph Beuys coined the phrase "Every human being is an artist," which became central to his work. This phrase represents an expansion of the traditional concept of art toward an "anthropological art," in which humanity is the central focus and starting point. Human life and the environment are a (total work of art) that every person actively shapes. Making people aware of their alienation from their lives, their work, and above all, their creativity, is the task of art (visual arts, theater, dance, literature, but also creative lifestyles). By actively utilizing the imagination and sensory capacities present in all people, yet often suppressed, Beuys counters this alienation with the concept of "social sculpture." Transgressive, creative thinking and imagination ("invisible material") coalesce into a sculptural form that allows not only self-knowledge but also a tangible experience of connection with the community. Through “non-judgmental observation” (Goethe), the new forms of thought, which combine rational thinking with imaginative, creative thinking and action, can be recognized and used for communal and societal change processes.
The workshop will introduce creative methods and the “Earth Forum” developed by Beuys’ student, Professor Shelley Sacks. I will demonstrate how combining these methods can expand individual (inner) awareness and integrate and utilize it in a creative community-building process.
I would like to actively conduct an "Earth Forum" with some participants of the Salutogenesis Symposium, following preparation through imagination-enhancing exercises. "The Earth Forum is a process of creative imagination to explore how we can live together on this planet. It allows us to move beyond the exchange of opinions, arguments, and debates. The unique process of the Earth Forum fosters two important skills: the ability to imagine and the ability to listen actively. We can highlight connections between inner and outer work, as well as our capacity as mediators of change to shape a humane and ecologically just future." (From an announcement by Leuphana University Lüneburg)
V: ARE THERE SALUTOGENIC COMMUNITIES? THOUGHTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF COACHING, MEDIATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Gantzel, Jens
Patriarchal structures have diversified into a wide range of family forms. However, organizational issues remain similar. A community distributes tasks among more people. The complexity of the tasks increases, but more expertise is available. Governing the community through shared values and goals allows for greater predictability of future developments. Individually, this is experienced as security and is a pillar of well-being. This is where organizational development comes in. Communication and cooperation skills are essential for self-governing communities. Personal engagement is fostered, and individual desires for participation are expressed in a socially acceptable manner. Self-awareness and the ability to coordinate with community members are sharpened, and identification and a sense of belonging are strengthened. This creates a high degree of security in participation, which influences personal well-being. Coaching promotes skills as well as individual stress management. Both are a second pillar of health promotion.
Those involved in a community usually come together based on shared values. Conflicts can be resolved according to overarching values and with respect for individual needs. The emotional dynamics of a conflict can be addressed using mediation techniques. The search for win-win solutions enhances an individual's conflict resolution skills. The awareness of differing interests and needs is fostered, allowing conflicts to be identified early on. Both of these factors form a third important pillar for maintaining health and well-being.
Jens Gantzel lives in the Villa Locomuna commune in Kassel. He works with Jürgen Heimes for communities and cooperatives, providing coaching, mediation, organizational and communication development. www.heimesundgantzel.de
V & WS: Shaping the health of the individual and the community in a salutogenic way
Dr. Ellis Huber, Prof. Dr. Bernd Fittkau, Dorothée Remmler-Bellen
Part I: Dr. Ellis Huber: “Towards a salutogenic healing culture”
A salutogenic health system is based on two fundamental developmental processes:
How can a healthcare system be designed that serves the health of the individual and the entire population? The envisioned healing culture is based on the findings of salutogenesis and realizes sustainable health promotion that fosters social resilience and societal integration as well as the development of individual health resources: According to the principles of the Ottawa Charter, health promotion enables "all people to achieve a greater degree of self-determination" and thereby empowers "them to strengthen their health."
Part II: Prof. Dr. Bernd Fittkau: “For salutogenic leadership cultures”
The connection between the individual and the community is largely shaped by the leadership culture practiced in various social systems (family, school, workplace, etc.). How conducive to health are the relationship patterns experienced daily in these systems? And what internal guidelines can help us interact in a way that is as salutogenic as possible? Our primary focus will be on the "health-promoting" elements within our key social systems – and only indirectly on existing deficits and causes of illness.
How can those in positions of responsibility (parents, educators, teachers, supervisors) deal with the increasing pressure in our society in a way that promotes health?
We want to focus on a beneficial life principle to which salutogenesis research points us: the principle of balance. The salutogenesis concept aims for a balance (coherence) of "head" (understanding), "hand" (manageability), and "heart" (meaningfulness) for the healthy coping with life's problems.
We will present three balance-oriented leadership models and develop exemplary solution ideas:
Part III: Dorothée Remmler-Bellen: “Designing salutogenic health for the individual and the community – successful practical experiences”
“Health is created and lived by people in their everyday environments: where they play, learn, work and love…”, as stated in the WHO Charter for Health Promotion of 1986. The German Association of Preventologists (Berufsverband der Präventologen e.V.) develops various concepts and support structures for and with people – in the places where they play, learn and work – to enable health to develop and flourish in their everyday environments.
Because in the future, health and well-being will depend less on medical progress than on the culture of relationships, and can only be shaped and lived together.
Teamwork skills promote health; their absence is a health risk factor.
Coherence, self-efficacy, and relationship skills are becoming “vaccines” against mental illness and active ingredients for psychosocial health.
How can settings develop into health-promoting living environments? What support structures are needed? Which concepts have a lasting impact?
Various approaches that can achieve this and have already proven successful in practice are presented here.
The workshop demonstrates theoretically and allows participants to experience very practically what each and every person can do to strengthen their teamwork skills and how this "works".
Dr. Ellis Huber is a physician and health policy expert. He has supported the development of health promotion policies in Germany and, as the initiator of the Health Days in Berlin in 1980 and Hamburg in 1981, as the Green Party's health commissioner in the Berlin districts of Wilmersdorf and Kreuzberg (1981-86), as president of the Berlin Medical Association (1987-1999), as a board member of SECURVITA BKK Hamburg, an innovative statutory health insurance fund (2001-2005 and 2010-2013), as a board member of the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband (1996-present), and as chairman of the German Association of Preventologists (2006-present), he has championed innovative and patient-centered projects. He advocates for a social healthcare system that effectively and affordably promotes the health of individual citizens and society as a whole.
Dorothée Remmler-Bellen, a prevention specialist, worked as a teacher and school principal after completing her studies. Since 2010, she has offered continuing education courses in psychosocial prevention through her Center for Prevention and Psychosocial Training (www.zppw.de). Her focus is on professional development for educators, teachers, and social workers, aimed at developing and strengthening health and life skills based on salutogenesis. She is a board member of the German Association of Prevention Specialists (Berufsverband Deutscher Präventologen e.V.) and works for the association as a study director and lecturer.
WS: TOGETHER OR PREFERABLY ALONE? – RELATIONSHIP NEEDS IN GROUPS
Raith, Andrea
Groups shape our lives. We humans are social beings – we cannot survive alone. Our longing for belonging is strong, yet at the same time we often shy away from the risk of relationships, preferring to withdraw and ultimately do things alone.
Life seems to unfold within this ambivalence between community and autonomy. At the same time, the capacity for autonomy develops through secure attachment in the first year of life. Is this a contradiction?
Nonviolent Communication and Relationship-Oriented Counseling according to the ROMPC® offer helpful concepts for addressing these questions and dealing with relationship needs. We will introduce these concepts to you in practical exercises.
We want to find out what communities, groups or teams need to provide a safe living and/or working space where the individuality, creativity and freedom of each individual can develop.
How does inner peace arise that helps us to be self-determined through participation and sharing in community?
Bärbel Klein, Trainer for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC-certified), Mediator, ROMPC Therapist and Coach, Nurse (Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy), Licensed Psychotherapist (HP Psychotherapy) www.bärbel-klein.de
Andrea Raith, Certified Supervisor, Certified Social Worker, Licensed Psychotherapist, ROMPC Therapist and Trainer www.andrearaith.de
WS: EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON THE SALUTOGENIC WE
Kremers, Joachim and Eismar, Amalia
From the outset, the communal living arrangement at the Center for Experimental Social Design (ZEGG) was motivated by the desire to move beyond the unhealthy dynamics of nuclear families and single life and replace them with relationship research within a communal context. As a young shared living community within ZEGG, we are continuing this type of research with renewed radicalism.
In our experience, the following qualities are needed to create a salutogenic community life:
– Growing together and community building as well as continuous development of group competence through ever new challenges – increasing resilience, self-responsibility and awareness of the individual – regular clarification of human relationships and mutual mirroring of the other person – nourishing contact on a mental, emotional and physical level – incorporation of lively and playful approaches – appreciative basic attitude and mutual recognition
In order to keep these qualities alive as a research group, we repeatedly find that, in addition to informal contact, space for ritualized encounters is also of essential importance.
In this workshop, we want to introduce the group communication tools that have served us best so far and allow participants to experience them in a dynamic process. We will use the forum (the traditional tool at ZEGG), talking circles, and the basic concepts and experiential spaces of nonviolent communication and possibility management as foundational tools.
Joachim Kremers (born 1992) has lived, loved, and learned at ZEGG since 2012. Currently, his main areas of activity are the organic self-sufficiency garden and the project's children's house.
Amalia Eismar (born 1965) has lived at ZEGG since 2013. She looks back on a diverse life, though one she has mostly lived independently. Her qualifications include industrial clerk, graduate geographer, coach, and trainer in adult education. She is a passionate dancer and music lover.
Amalia and Joachim are part of an experimental shared living arrangement within ZEGG, which has taken on the main responsibility for organizing the 2015 summer camp. This shared living arrangement aims to further develop ZEGG's existing findings as a research melting pot.
V: IS LIFE IN COMMUNITY HEALING PER SELF?
Shortleg, Uwe
1. Is living in a community inherently healing? 2. If not, how could the community be structured so that unhealthy patterns can be overcome and discarded? (What constitutes illness and health in this sense?) Or is the key word "communication"? 3. When does a community become a co-pilot? 4. The topic of addiction on the one hand and the fulfillment of longings on the other. These questions are answered based on my lived experience.
Uwe Kurzbein lives and works in the Olgshof community.
WS: "LAUGH UNTIL THE DOCTOR LEAVES." SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAUGHTER YOGA GROUPS IN THE TREATMENT OF CLINICAL DISEASES
Landmann, Bendix
Report on “Laughter Yoga” (LY) as group therapy in the clinical treatment of an acute psychiatric ward with a care mandate.
Why Laughter for No Reason (LOR) in psychiatric treatment? In the context of the professional discussion on the results of salutogenesis, which has been ongoing since 1982, the question arises as to why such a simple procedure as "laughter for no reason" in groups has not found its way into the treatment of mentally ill people. LOR, as an individual activity for self-discovery or meditation, can trigger the same uplifting effects. However, LOR offered in a group setting is much more intense and strengthens group cohesion. LOR in a group utilizes the specific group phenomena that occur, such as group dynamics and mimicry.
The guidelines for LY trainers mention the possibility that LY is contraindicated and not recommended for individuals with mental health conditions. However, inquiries with LY trainers revealed no detailed explanation for this assumption. The primary motivation for this investigation was the inclusion of people with mental health conditions. It is reasonable to assume that the exclusion of individuals with mental health conditions may have been an unjustified protective stance on the part of LY trainers, as the impact and experiences associated with these conditions are difficult to assess.
The introduction of LY into clinical areas (psychosomatics, rehabilitation clinics) has begun in recent years and will be the subject of clarification here in the context of psychiatric illnesses.
The initial results clearly indicate that patients who underwent LY gave a significantly more positive assessment of their own treatment than the patients in the control group.
On average, 30% of patients are willing to participate in LY as a group therapy option. Women are more likely than men to accept this offer.
Patients with affective disorders benefit more often from LY (Life Learning) than people with psychosis. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or personality disorders often participate in LY, but may experience flashbacks (persistent perceptual disturbances). From the perspective of modern inclusion, the participation of certain mentally ill individuals in LY is beneficial. However, some people with conditions do not benefit from LY. A general exclusion of people with mental illness from LY courses cannot be scientifically justified from a clinical standpoint.
Laughter yoga in a group helps certain mentally ill people; this is good to know for healthy people who live in an intense community.
Bendix Landmann, State-certified educator, Diploma in Social Pedagogy and Social Work (University of Applied Sciences), Certified in Client-Centered Psychotherapy, Authorized for the Gordon Family Training, TZI Group Leader, Authorized for the "Familicare - Optimal Treatment Project", Laughter Yoga Leader (according to Dr. Madan Kataria)
WS: WHAT DOES HECKENBECK SOUND? GUIDED SOUND WALKS SUCCEEDED IN A PERFORMANCE
Langguth, Veronika
In today's world, sight is given more importance than hearing. Yet experts agree that a deaf person has more difficulty communicating in a nuanced way than a blind person. Sound is an important medium for transmitting information, messages, or signals—the acoustic space has different boundaries than the visual one. Through sound—breath, voice, language—we connect with the world: We share information, feelings, moods, national anthems… = communication.
Even in communication within the community, visual perception usually plays a greater role than the ability to listen, pay attention, or remain silent.
In this workshop, participants will learn more about the secrets of sound. They will develop a holistic listening experience, actively and passively exploring the sounds and noises of their village community on blindfolded sound walks. In addition to listening, they will make various objects resonate in different locations within the community. This experimentation with sound refines their communicative ear and also has a healing effect. Some may experience their communication within groups and their everyday lives through a new "sound perspective" in the future.
In the subsequent performance, several sound recordings are played to the audience and accompanied by various sound instruments as well as the performer's own voice.
Veronika Langguth, Berlin, has been teaching Experiential Breathing according to Prof. Ilse Middendorf® for over 35 years. She founded and directed her own breathwork training institute in Beerfelden/Odw for 12 years. Since 1988, she has given workshops for the spiritual community of Auroville, South India, and at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pudicherry. The author is the chairwoman of the Professional Association of Experiential Breathing Therapists/Educators (BEAM). She also works as a trainer, mediator, and BDVT-certified coach in management. As a sound artist, she co-founded the ensemble "Opera to Relax" with Martin Hoemberg in 1995, producing performances and six CDs. www.Veronikalangguth.de / www.OperaToRelax.com Professional Association of Experiential Breathing Therapists/Educators according to Prof. Ilse Middendorf (BEAM): www.Atem-BEAM.de
V & WS: COMING HOME & THE DOUBLE CIRCLE AS A SYSTEMIC ELEMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY CULTURE
Lipinski, Gandalf and Conrad, Anke
V: Healing and salutogenesis in the tension and overlapping zones of the individual, community, and society. On the salutogenic approach to collective trauma. From "sociotherapy" to the creation of "social spaces of warmth." From the community of dropouts to the community of newcomers. On the development of self-healing powers through community and salutogenesis. Personal, collective, and political emancipation through the regaining of individual and collective self-determination.
On the good life, manageable connections, and the rediscovery of human scale. Networking communities as a contribution to a healthier society.
WS: "Women and men together form the most wonderful polarity of creation. Egg and seed qualities, as well as the balanced interplay of all four elements, are what create the highest possible creativity on Earth. This applies equally to nature as well as to cultural and social processes and structures."
We begin by working together on the two very different presentations. We process our shared experiences in separate women's and men's circles. After the initial, separate phase, the men join the women and listen silently. Then, the men give the women feedback. Next, the men move to the center and talk amongst themselves while the women listen. The women also give the men feedback afterward.
In the final part, everyone gathers in plenary session and jointly summarizes the topic.
The method involving partially separate double rounds is a central component of the collaboration between Anke Conrad and Gandalf Lipinski and a fundamental element of the Convergence Community Training (CCT) they developed, a training program specifically for groups in the preliminary, founding, and development phases of community projects. It raises awareness of the connections between individual, group, and societal patterns.
Gandalf Lipinski, actor, director, and theatre therapist; 30 years of experience in nature and community; lecturer in deep ecological and political adult education, as well as system-oriented theatre sociotherapy; social visionary.
Anke Conrad, certified educator, speaker on salutogenesis, sound artist, music teacher, composer, singer, spiritual healer. For over 25 years, she has been a trainer in adult and youth education, a producer of her own music, and a spiritual guide.
V: INDIVIDUALITY AND COMMUNITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ZEGG COMMUNITY BAD BELZIG
Lohman, Georg and Klein, Bettina
For over twenty years, the ZEGG – Center for Experimental Social Design – in Bad Belzig near Berlin has been addressing the core questions of this symposium. ZEGG is a community of around 100 people who develop and, where possible, implement models for a socially and ecologically sustainable life; it is also a large seminar and conference center run by the community.
How can community foster individual development? Is living in community beneficial to health? Does community life have a political, future-changing function? What constitutes a healthy balance between 'personal' and communal space?
In our presentation, we will highlight selected results from our experience-based research and would like to discuss them further. For more in-depth experience with methods that have proven successful at ZEGG, we would like to draw your attention to the practical workshop by Joachim Kremers and Amalia Eismar, in which we will also be participating.
Georg Lohmann, a teacher, photographer, and construction worker, has lived at ZEGG for over twenty years and worked on the preparatory projects. He has been working as a construction manager on the building and grounds team for eight years and also gives seminars.
Bettina Klein, hotel manager and carpenter, has known ZEGG since 1999; she has lived and worked there since 2010, among other things as a caretaker.
MORNING OFFER: GET INTO CONTACT THROUGH BREATH – WITH MYSELF AND WITH OTHERS
Materlik, Sabine
Everyone breathes on their own:
Breathing is highly individual. At the beginning of every life is birth, at the end death. In between lie countless breathing movements and the ever-changing, yet unique, personal breathing rhythm.
Breath always connects me to the community:
We all breathe the same air; we share the elixir of life. Breath connects everyone to the cosmos. That from which we are "nourished" is not individual, but universal.
What does this look like in practice?
First, we become aware of our breathing. Then, we loosen our bodies through movement to make them more receptive to breath. Finally, the rhythm of our movements should harmonize all the rhythms in our bodies, allowing us to attune ourselves to a balanced breathing rhythm. Through interaction with partners, the group, space, and objects, we can significantly expand our breathing capacity and communication skills by gaining a deeper understanding of the principles of giving and receiving. For communicating with body awareness means understanding ourselves and others better.
In their shared daily lives, they experience a particularly strong and holistic connection, on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level. Breathwork has a healing and developmental effect, fostering personality and expanding consciousness.
Sabine Materlik: Born in Bonn in 1963. 1997: Began her own breathwork experience. 2001-2006: Training as a breath therapist/educator with Gabriele Pieper, successful completion of final examination in September 2006. 2009: Opened her own practice for breath therapy in Rösrath. Since 2011: Member of the AFA/BVA. Further training seminars: "The Experiential Breath" with Prof. Ilse Middendorf; "Mindfulness as a Guidance" with Seymour Carter; "Breath Therapy as a Self-Help Tool for Stress and Burnout" with Christian Großheim.
WS: HUMOR AS THE LIFE ELECY FOR COMMUNICATION
Möller, Elisabeth
Successful communication can be healing!
Conversely, inadequate communication often leads to lasting anger, anxiety, and stress, and can even make you ill. Surely we don't want that?! To keep things interesting and encourage continuous improvement, we constantly encounter others in our communication fields who challenge us and sometimes drive us almost crazy: it's enough to make you cry! Always these others! But can it also be funny? Absolutely, because interpersonal communication is full of theatrical, quirky, and comical aspects – we just need to step back a bit and observe ourselves and others with some distance. If we manage not to identify too personally with the situation, communication difficulties can actually be quite enjoyable! And – almost as an afterthought – with a little luck, new paths and successful solutions might even emerge.
This is a purely practical workshop: In communication about communication. The communication topics requested by the participants are the focus and can be explored in a playful way (depending on requirements: exercises from the Theatre of Liberation according to Augusto Boal, co-counseling, role-playing, Fools Forum, You Are Me, Rainbow of Wishes, etc., methods from communication and moderation training).
Useful items: comfortable clothing, writing materials, and the willingness to laugh at oneself.
Elisabeth Möller: born 1949 in Bremen, has lived in the Heckenbeck community network since 1995.
For almost 40 years, she has been working as an actress (musical cabaret 'Lila Luder'), communication coach, autonomy trainer, and co-founder of the cultural project "Weltbühne Heckenbeck".
I have been researching community issues and vibrant communication for 3 decades, am a passionate forum leader, accompany community processes (coaching of medical practices, communities and teams, 'communication fire brigade'), give seminars including 'Leap into one's own greatness', 'Vibrant communication', 'Resource Forum'.
More information at www.lilaluder.de and www.weltbuehne.info
WS: COMMUNITY LIFE AND BURNOUT (PREPARATION)
Ottmar, Karin
Living and working in community – in freedom, self-determination, and a sense of purpose – seems to be the ultimate form of burnout prevention. However, this isn't necessarily the case, and we will explore this in this workshop. Drawing on research in psychosomatics and the resulting concept of work-life balance, we will examine these insights more closely from the perspective of community living. In addition to a short introductory presentation, this workshop will primarily focus on applying these theoretical insights to one's own life (practice) and, through dialogue within the workshop group, considering not only the positive aspects of community living but also its downsides, particularly regarding the risk of burnout, and developing corresponding individual solutions.
Kariin Ottmar: Dipl. Psych., Dipl. Art Therapist, Coach, has lived in the Sieben Linden ecovillage since 2005, works independently as a seminar leader and, in addition to supporting individuals, groups and communities, has many years of experience with the topic of "work-life balance" and burnout prevention in a community setting. Since 2013, she has also worked for the Global Ecovillage Network, where she is committed to spreading and promoting the concept of community.
V: COMMUNITY LIFE & SALUTOGENESIS – COMMUNITY FORMATION AS SOCIOCULTURAL SELF-ORGANIZATION
Petzold, Theodor Dierk
"Salutogenesis" means "origin of health" / "healthy development". According to modern scientific understanding, we understand the origin of life, and thus also of health, as a process of self-organization and self-regulation – including the (self-)healing of humans.
Since most scientists agree with us that humans are fundamentally social and cultural beings, self-healing and healthy self-regulation are not limited to the individual but can only be understood and practiced within their social and cultural relationships. This is what is known today as a "systemic approach."
What specific experiences have we had with this kind of self-organization in Heckenbeck over the last 30 years?
What motives and needs motivated people to participate in community building?
How far have we come with self-organization over the years? What were the defining and recurring themes, and how did we deal with them? What do these have to do with healthy development?
Theodor Dierk Petzold
He is a physician specializing in general medicine and naturopathic medicine, holding a European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). He teaches as a lecturer in general medicine at Hannover Medical School, focusing on doctor-patient communication.
In order to enable a new social and cultural self-organization, he started a community initiative in Heckenbeck in 1984.
In 2004, he founded the Center for Salutogenesis in Bad Gandersheim, which he directs. Since 2006, he has been the spokesperson for the umbrella organization Salutogenesis DachS. He has been teaching SalKom®, the Salutogenic Communication method he developed, since 2007. He gives numerous lectures, conducts training courses and seminars, and provides supervision both within and outside the Center for Salutogenesis.
He is co-editor of DER MENSCH, the first journal on salutogenesis.
He developed criteria for a salutogenic orientation (see Wikipedia: Salutogenesis or www.salutogenese-zentrum.de; www.gesunde-entwicklung.de; www.salutogenese-dachverband.de).
WS: COOPERATION AND CREATIVITY PROMOTING COMMUNICATION IN GROUPS (SALKOM®)
Petzold, Theodor Dierk
In Heckenbeck, over many years of community building, creativity has flourished in projects. This is the result of intensive communication and cooperation within groups. Meanwhile, the nature of human cooperation has been better understood, so that we even have scientific explanations for this creativity and can consciously cultivate cooperative communication. Cooperation is a fundamental human need.
Salutogenic Communication (SalKom®) emerged from the multifaceted experiences of community life, clans and other groups, as well as from psychotherapeutic and counseling methods. It is a form of communication that stimulates healthy self-regulation, essentially a multidimensional communication of needs.
In the workshop, the basic principles of SalKom® are explained, particularly regarding cooperative communication, and small communication exercises are conducted.
Theodor Dierk Petzold
He is a physician specializing in general medicine and naturopathic medicine, holding a European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). He teaches as a lecturer in general medicine at Hannover Medical School, focusing on doctor-patient communication.
In order to enable a new social and cultural self-organization, he started a community initiative in Heckenbeck in 1984.
In 2004, he founded the Center for Salutogenesis in Bad Gandersheim, which he directs. Since 2006, he has been the spokesperson for the umbrella organization Salutogenesis DachS. He has been teaching SalKom®, the Salutogenic Communication method he developed, since 2007. He gives numerous lectures, conducts training courses and seminars, and provides supervision both within and outside the Center for Salutogenesis.
He is co-editor of DER MENSCH, the first journal on salutogenesis.
He developed criteria for a salutogenic orientation (see Wikipedia: Salutogenesis or www.salutogenese-zentrum.de; www.gesunde-entwicklung.de; www.salutogenese-dachverband.de).
V: MATRIARCHAL SOCIETIES AS A MODEL OF A COMMUNITY oriented towards COMPOSITION AND FREE DEVELOPMENT
Rath-Beckmann, Annette
Matriarchal societies as a model of a community oriented towards balance and free development
According to the Munich philosopher and founder of modern matriarchy research, Heide Göttner-Abendroth, characteristics of matriarchal societies can be found in the combination of “economic, social, political and religious-cultural patterns”.
On an economic level, matriarchal societies are societies of equality. On a social level, they are matrilineal and matrifocal kinship societies, and on a political level, egalitarian consensus societies. On a spiritual level, matriarchies are defined by the absence of a separation between the afterlife and this life, the divine and the creaturely, the sacred and the profane, creator and creation. Such a worldview connects all parts of creation and leaves no room for superiority and subordination based on a hierarchical structure imposed from above: here, humanity is not the measure of all things, but rather part of the whole.
Considering all these factors together, it can be concluded that the early matriarchies were developed societies that produced outstanding cultural assets for human history in the areas of "agriculture, house building, navigation, genealogy, social formation, art and religion".
WS: THE POWER ANIMAL JOURNEY: A PATH TO PRIMAL VITALITY
Rath-Beckmann, Annette
For those who embark on the designated journey into the Lower World of Non-Ordinary Reality, encountering one's personal power animal(s) is a blissful and empowering experience. These beings often accompany us through multiple lifetimes and frequently connect us to our ancient wisdom and the collective archetypal images within human life. This can lead to a surge of strength (physical, emotional, and mental). After a brief introduction to the technique and its effects, the drum guides participants into Non-Ordinary Reality, followed by a discussion in which they can share their experiences and solidify their understanding.
Annette Rath-Beckmann, née Born on August 1, 1951, in Bielefeld, historian specializing in the prehistory and early history of Europe, studied history, English, and philosophy, subsequently completed her traineeship for the higher civil service at academic libraries in Göttingen, retired senior library director – since 2003 training with shamanic teachers from various cultural backgrounds – since 2009 teaching shamanic theory and practice at the adult education center in Eschwege and at the Ko-Ra-Le women's education and meeting center in Heiligenstadt – since 2012 member of the board of the Gerda Weiler Foundation for Feminist and Matriarchal Research – in 2013 founded her own "School for Matriarchal Shamanism – UDAGAN" (www.udagan.de, publications also available as PDFs) – in 2014 founded the research and working group on the Holle mythology – Tel.: 49 5504 98138, Email: rotermilan(at)email.de
V: ON THE ROAD AS A SALUTOGENESIS WHISPERER – A SOCIAL UTOPIA?
Dr. med. Schiffer, Eckhard
"Where utopian oases dry up, a desert of banality and helplessness spreads." Jürgen Habermas
When Alexander Mitscherlich described the inhospitality of cities in his classic work 50 years ago, there was widespread psychological strain aimed at denying responsibility for Nazi atrocities and war crimes. This restricted communication and reflection primarily to the so-called economic miracle. In this context, Mitscherlich mentions, almost in passing, the "anti-art of being at home" in the form of "addictive devotion to television programming." This, he argues, can turn the home into a "castle" by isolating oneself from the world. "People create a living space for themselves in cities (...), and conversely, this urban form contributes to the social character of its inhabitants."
Today, it's more of a general internalization of performance and competition, used to tame the fear of economic decline. From time to time, parents and teachers are lambasted with the latest PISA results: their children's acquisition of skills is still comparatively meager.
At the same time, today, face-to-face dialogue as a relationship-building element is not only impaired by the structures of living, working, and transportation, but also by virtual forms of communication. These largely no longer occur in the form of physical, face-to-face encounters. Nevertheless, they represent an indispensable substitute—one that is often unreflectively considered—a kind of "substitute home among friends" in the sense of a disembodied community life. Intersubjectivity as an encounter that could foster a sense of coherence—both individually and within the group—thus does not take place. Instead, a fear of isolation, accompanied by tension and unease, is spreading, linked to bullying and so-called burnout symptoms, even in schools.
However, encounters could be created to foster empathy and mentalizing abilities, as described, for example, by Daniel Stern as "moments of meeting" or by Michael Balint as "flashes." These encounters take place in different contexts, but are structurally related. The implementation of these encounters in families—including grandparents—kindergartens, schools, sports clubs, playgrounds, and other locations, which have been facilitated by the presenter as a "salutogenesis whisperer," will be presented, along with their opportunities and challenges. In a workshop, individual projects, for example, in kindergartens and schools, can be presented in more detail.
WS: DEEP ECOLOGY – INNER AND OUTER CONNECTION FOR LIFE IN COMMUNITY
Schulze, Karin
We humans are social beings by nature. People have lived and continue to live in tribes, clans, villages, and neighborhoods—in manageable communities where residents know each other and relationships are cultivated. Indigenous and tribal peoples have intellectual and spiritual traditions that contribute to a sense of connection. Ancestors, animals, plants, and the entire environment are perceived as essential parts of inner and outer life.
Modern humans are mostly cut off from this inner connection. Religion, or rather the church, often cannot fill this gap. The industrial, capitalist growth society in which we live is based on hierarchical structures, individualism and egoism, competition, dissatisfaction, and greed. Living anonymously side by side is a relatively recent form of human existence.
What (new) paths are needed so that we, both as individuals and in groups, can feel in inner relationship and community with ourselves, with other people, with animals, plants and the environment, the earth?
Deep Ecology (The work that reconnects) explores new ways to help us (re)connect with these relationships. Through rituals and exercises, we experience that we are at home in a wonderful and magnificent "network of life".
This heartfelt knowledge can be one of the foundations for living freely and in a connected community.
Karin Schulze, 59 years old, 1 daughter. After living in shared apartments, taking time off to raise her family, and living in co-housing communities, she currently lives alone but is connected to people in various networks. She is a social and environmental educator, naturopathic practitioner, trainer for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and deep ecology, village facilitator, and systemic family therapist. She has projects in environmental education and ESD. Currently active regionally and nationally in the Transition Town movement, deep ecology, and village facilitation. Her passions include connecting societal change with inner transformation processes, living from the heart, and helping to create a world fit for future generations.
WS: WE-PROCESS ACCORDING TO SCOTT PECK. A REGULAR PRACTICE OF THE TEMPELHO CASTLE COMMUNITY
Sechser, Wolfgang and Stiefel, MarieLuise
Community doesn't simply arise because people want it. It requires an investment in social interaction, in social spaces where genuine encounters can take place. Where this succeeds, healing and inner growth can occur. The Schloss Tempelhof community, founded in 2010 and now comprising 90 adults between the ages of 18 and 71 and over 30 children and young people, practices a "WE" process (based on Scott Peck's "Community Building") several times a year to nurture and cultivate the community organism. People meet, sit in a circle, and there is no topic, no goal, and no facilitator. The process is framed by suggestions for discussion, such as "Speak if you have an impulse; don't speak if you don't," or "Talk about yourself and your current experience," "Don't lecture or treat," "Take a risk." Applying these recommendations allows a group to enter a phase of togetherness where personal armor is shed and the vulnerability of hearts can be revealed. In the shared struggle for authenticity, the healing potential of community can be experienced.
A "WE" process typically lasts two days. The workshop introduces the recommended conversation strategies, provides practice in a "WE" process sequence, and then includes a reflection on the experiences. Number of participants: 15-20
Wolfgang Sechser, entrepreneur, co-initiator of the Tempelhof community, meditation teacher, works with impulse and process moderation, "We-Process" facilitator, www.schloss-tempelhof.de
Dr. MarieLuise Stiefel, social scientist, process architect and moderator, member of the Tempelhof community, facilitator of dialogue and collaborative processes, www.prozessarchitektin.de, www.schloss-tempelhof.de
V: COMMUNITIES AS SOCIAL EXPERIMENTAL FIELDS BETWEEN NEW BEGINNINGS AND EXIT
Tacke, Maria and Waldhubel, Thomas (GEN Germany eV – Network for Communities)
The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is a worldwide network of communities and ecovillages celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with member communities and projects in almost every country on earth. The German network, GEN Germany, is considerably younger, having been founded with great enthusiasm just nine months ago. It is currently recognizing and developing the shared mission and potential of a cross-community network in times of change. Beyond offering insights into GEN Germany's self-understanding, we would like to address questions that deeply resonate with us and that have repeatedly surfaced in our long-standing engagement with the topic of community. Based on our own experiences and longings that have led us to community, and the wounds we encounter, we want to listen attentively to the field of community.
How can communities be healthy social testing grounds where people can develop their individuality and at the same time experience themselves as part of something larger?
How can the themes of life, from birth to death, be brought back from isolating individualization into the center of a supportive community?
What challenges do we face as a community, particularly against the backdrop of German history and the associated themes and experiences of power and powerlessness, as well as disempowering community and the accompanying question of healthy leadership?
Maria Tacke, born 1980
She lived and practiced for five years in a spiritual community in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and has now been living in the Lebensgarten Steyerberg community for almost five years. Besides many years of mindfulness training, psychotherapy training, and training in music and dance, her most intensive training came primarily from ten years of community life. She is most concerned with the question of how we, as individuals, can develop our own strength and, as members of a community, the strength of a new "we" in times of great change, and how we can use this strength to unfold life.
Thomas Waldhubel, Jg. 1950
A qualified psychologist, he worked for many years in Berlin as a social scientist and later as an independent supervisor (DGSv). He has been living in the Schloss Tempelhof community for four years. He is connected to the contemplative psychology of Tibetan Buddhism and explores and designs spaces where shared presence, awareness, and connection can arise.
WS: Essential Oils that Promote a Sense of Community in Family, School and Work
Trott-Tschepe, Jürgen
This workshop will introduce 'Dialogical Aromatherapy' and make it tangible through small practical exercises. We base this term on David Bohm's terminology: 'While a discussion (from the Latin discutere = to break, divide, dissect) is about taking apart, dissecting the whole, dialogue (from the Greek dia = through, logos = word) means for Bohm a 'free flow of meaning that flows among us, through us, and between us.' It is therefore about participation, about sharing, engaging, and thinking together.'
We can now support this salutogenically oriented understanding of coexistence through essential oils, which have an effect on the whole person and their social interactions. Even in nature, these fragrances promote meaningful communication between plant and animal communities; for humans, this translates into comprehensive gifts for community, which have been revealed through decades of research and practical experience working with essential oils.
Jürgen Trott-Tschepe, alternative practitioner, Master of Health Science, born in 1958. I live in Berlin with my wife and our four children, where I work as an alternative practitioner, aromatherapy instructor, and author. After four years of theological studies, five years of outpatient nursing, three years of naturopathic medicine training, and two years of herbal medicine training, I established my own practice as an alternative practitioner and began teaching in 1987, conducting extensive research with essential oils, writing books, and organizing aromatherapy retreats. My areas of expertise (see www.lebendige-aromakunde.de) include: aromatherapy, biographical work, crisis intervention, life coaching, clinical care with essential oils from childbirth to end-of-life care, massage, and naturopathy in general.
MORNING OFFER: CREATIVE ACTIVITIES WITH BREATH
Uhrbach, Karin
Our breath can permeate different areas of our body. Attuning ourselves to our own innate breathing rhythm is a contemplative path to arriving within ourselves. Here we can experience our lower, middle, and upper bodies with our capacity for focus. With the rising exhalation, we can ground ourselves. With the impulsive exhalation, we experience our vitality. Through the experience of breath, we can strengthen our personal expressiveness. We are not, as usual, exposed to a variety of impressions – we experience our expressive abilities. In this way, we can reveal ourselves to the world through our breath.
The potential of our physical experience can be creatively realized by us – in this artistic process we can bring what we have experienced to the outside world.
Our goal is not the result, but rather an intentionless act within the creative process, arising from our experience of breath. This self-forgetfulness is a truly blissful experience.
Please bring warm socks and comfortable clothing.
Karin Uhrbach, Breath Educator/Therapist, AFA Diploma, Member of the Professional Association of the AFA, Alternative Practitioner for Psychotherapy (HpG), active in group work (also with seniors) in adult education and in individual breath therapy
WS: Weaving the tapestry of our lives. How storytelling can make an important contribution to social cohesion.
Birds, Patricia and Gabel, Helmut
The art of storytelling is a treasure of many ancient cultures. Stories passed down from generation to generation contain wisdom that guides and strengthens us on our life's journey. Creating stories gives us space to freely develop and express our creativity. Through telling and sharing stories, a deeper sense of purpose emerges, and interpersonal relationships are cultivated. The power of our hearts is strengthened, and we open ourselves to the beauty within and around us. In this workshop, we will embark together on the journey of storytelling. With our bodies and our voices, we will give birth to and express stories. And what would stories be without music, which fuels the flame of our hearts? Through the art of storytelling, we create a shared language of understanding, respect, and love.
This workshop is suitable for young and old. Everyone is welcome.
Patricia Vögeist holds a doctorate in psychology, specializing in health psychology. Her focus is on applying complementary methods from East and West to strengthen personal resources and resilience. In her work as a psychologist, she utilizes the vibrant expression of ancient stories and wisdom. She is a lecturer in health psychology as well as Middle Eastern dance and expressive language.
Helmut N. Gabel leads and designs sustainable personnel development programs for companies. He has completed training as a speaker and studies in eurythmy. Later, he also studied ergonomics. He performs with the Perle Ensemble as a storyteller of Rumi stories and a reciter of poems by various Sufi poets in German and English, and teaches the method of heart meditation.
MORNING OFFER: MANTRA SINGING FROM ALL WORLDS
Westphalen, Thomas
A circle of people. A field of experience from heart to heart, from moment to moment. The experience of diversity leading to unity. Basic communication in word, song, and dance. Intuitive perception of others and one's own experience. Singing mantras from around the world and dances of universal peace as a shared experience, and the educational and healing power of a community.
Thomas Westphalen, born June 20, 1964, married and father of four children, employee of a residential community for people with dementia at the Hürup social services center "Lichthof", co-initiator of the "Culture and Soup" initiative, singer and composer of the music group "Wesen" www.kultur-und-suppe.de www.wesen.org
V: SOLIDAGO – A SALUTOGENIC HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM. CURRENT RESEARCH FINDINGS
Wiethaler, Cornelia
After a brief look at the history of the independent solidarity-based health care associations, this article describes the most recent of these associations, Solidago. Solidago was explicitly founded as a salutogenic community, providing alternative social security (German Social Code, Book V, Section 5, Paragraph 1, No. 13). Three core elements of this salutogenic structure are the local communities based on trust and commitment, the freedom to choose individual therapies, and solidarity in the structuring of contributions and risk calculation.
On October 31st and November 1st, 2014, the first symposium on Free Solidarity Communities for Health took place in Stuttgart at the invitation of the Solidago Federal Association. Eight researchers presented their work on the topic of free solidarity communities. These diverse perspectives fostered a lively exchange on issues of justice and the legal framework, as well as on the mechanisms and organizational structures involved in managing common goods and local communities. The question of human dignity and its relation to the healthcare system served as a common thread throughout the event. The speaker will provide an overview of the various research projects and conclude with an outlook on the current political situation.
Cornelia Wiethaler is a founding member and board member of Solidag0-Bundesverband Solidargemeinschaft für Gesundheit e.V. (Solidarity Association for Health). She is a political scientist. Since 1997, she has worked freelance as a project manager in the fields of education, youth, social affairs (ESF), agriculture, and nature conservation. Born on February 14, 1964, in Wittmund/East Frisia, she is married and has three adult children.
V: WINNING EXCHANGE BETWEEN GENERATIONS – IT TAKES A WHOLE VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD
Zörner, Elfriede
In a study on "basic trust," young people revealed a significant lack of information about their own childhood development, family influences, and values. In their often small families, there is too little time and opportunity for such conversations and experiences, as everyday life takes precedence. The young people surveyed perceived this as a major shortcoming. Furthermore, a trend is emerging among the current generation of grandparents to enjoy the joys of grandparenthood only briefly, with little willingness to accept the responsibilities of the role. Besides potentially still holding a job, the older generation prioritizes their own personal enjoyment through travel, sports, and other leisure activities. It is often overlooked that there is also the responsibility of taking on a new position within the family and society, passing on one's own life experience, knowledge, and family history. On the other hand, there are older people who act as surrogate grandparents or volunteer as reading mentors in schools… New school concepts, which move away from the mere transmission of knowledge and towards the development of skills, also require this exchange between generations. They aim for an appreciative learning culture that builds on children's innate joy of learning and curiosity, inspiring and empowering them towards a sense of community and responsibility, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit! This approach is, of course, not a one-way street, but rather fosters a sense of coherence for everyone in the community. The meaningfulness of one's own actions becomes tangible, challenges understandable and manageable. Access to one's own resources is strengthened. And brain research confirms that not only children and young people can develop new neural connections in the brain, but also adults and older people. However, this happens not through effort, but through enthusiasm.
Elfriede Zörner is a certified life coach and Salutovisor®, and a board member of the Austrian Society for Life Coaching (ÖGLÖ). She conducts research on basic trust and salutogenesis, gives lectures and workshops on salutogenesis and life coaching, and is the author of various articles (e.g., books such as "First Aid for My Self," "Life Coaching in Austria," and "Heart with Ears – Salutogenesis and Meaning," as well as articles for journals and newspapers). Since 1993, she has worked in an independent consulting practice in Linz and on Lake Constance, specializing in coaching and supervision from a salutogenic perspective.
