Embarking on an Erasmus+ journey is not just about crossing borders; it's about crossing boundaries within ourselves. Recently, five teachers from Blackrock Further Education Institute ventured on a wellbeing journey to Tenerife to explore the concept of wellbeing and stress management.

Day 1 Body and Brain Session.

The lush landscapes along the west coast of the Island provided the perfect backdrop for an inspiring body and brain class where we enjoyed a physical exercise practice that uses a variety of techniques to increase mind-body connection.  The overall goal of the session was to achieve a relaxed concentration through stretching, meditation, breathing techniques and qigong (a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for health, spirituality, and martial arts training).  A key takeaway from this session was “A Smile Relaxes the Brain!”. 

Day 2 Wellness and Visual Expression. 

The majestic peak of Mount Teide served as a canvas for our journey of self-discovery and personal reflection. The weather at this altitude was cool and the welcoming fire at the venue ensured that we were relaxed and calm before we started. For this session we used visual images to explore in-depth past, current and future relationships with either ourselves, or a significant other. Openness to inner vulnerabilities was necessary for this session and there were a few moments where some felt outside of their comfort zones!  We enjoyed some local home-cooked cuisine which included papas arrugadas with mojo and el gofio washed down with some delicious barraquito!  After lunch we focused on one concrete positive action to undertake that would contribute to our overall wellbeing. This session highlighted the importance of focusing on self-care.

Day 3 Movement, Meditation and Mindfull Walking

Our final wellness session was a mindful hike through Malpais de la Rasca. The Malpaís de Rasca nature reserve, with its volcanic cones that dominate the area, is a striking and unique coastal landscape with unique flora and fauna. The area is home to inland and coastal species of Canary Island birds and several native plant species. Mindful moments and breathing techniques were the highlight of this experience.

Of course, no Erasmus+ staff mobility is complete without some fantastic cultural and social experiences in the evenings which were enjoyed by all!