The Rhythm of Nature: Returning to Nature with Yoga (YOGI-RHYTHM) is a youth mobility project designed to foster emotional, social, and physical well-being among young people with intellectual and mental disabilities through the healing power of yoga, mindfulness, and nature-based activities. Bringing together young participants from Poland, Italy, Turkey, and Bulgaria, the project creates a safe and inclusive space where diversity is embraced and every participant is empowered.
The central activity is a 7-day youth exchange held in Poland in August 2025, involving 40 individuals, including youth with autism and Down syndrome, youth workers, facilitators, volunteers, and expert support staff. Through a carefully structured programme, participants will engage in adapted group yoga, breathing techniques, team-building games, cultural exchange events, reflective workshops, and outdoor experiences that promote body awareness, emotional resilience, and intercultural learning.
Backed by scientific research and grounded in non-formal education methods, the project offers accessible learning experiences that address mental health challenges while fostering personal growth and social inclusion. Key topics include stress management, neuroplasticity, social integration, and the development of key competences such as communication, civic participation, and cultural awareness.
The project supports the Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Strategy by ensuring full accessibility for participants with disabilities and reducing barriers to participation. It contributes to multiple EU Youth Goals and SDGs, including good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, quality education, and active citizenship.
By the end of the project, participants will have improved their emotional intelligence, self-confidence, and intercultural skills, while the partner organizations will strengthen their capacity to design inclusive youth programmes. The project’s outcomes, including videos, digital newsletters, and toolkits—will be disseminated widely across European networks to inspire replication and long-term impact.
The YOGI-RHYTHM project is driven by a mission to promote the emotional, social, and physical well-being of young people with intellectual and mental disabilities through inclusive, nature-based practices. The specific objectives are:
Enhance Mental and Emotional Health
To reduce anxiety and stress in young people with intellectual disabilities (particularly those with Down syndrome and autism) through structured yoga and mindfulness activities conducted in natural settings. These practices are proven to improve mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall psychological resilience.
Promote Social Inclusion and Communication Skills
To create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where youth with disabilities can interact with peers and facilitators, improve their communication skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Group yoga sessions and intercultural activities are designed to reduce social isolation and increase confidence in social interactions.
Develop Body Awareness and Physical Coordination
To improve motor skills, body awareness, and physical well-being through adapted yoga practices. These activities help participants gain greater control over their movements and contribute to their physical independence and self-esteem.
Foster Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation
To promote intercultural dialogue, empathy, and collaboration among young people from Poland, Italy, Turkey, and Bulgaria through shared activities such as cultural nights, creative workshops, and non-verbal communication exercises. The goal is to reduce prejudices and build respect for diversity.
Empower Participants with Lifelong Tools for Self-Care
To equip youth with disabilities with practical tools they can integrate into their daily lives (such as breathing techniques, mindfulness practices, and body-centered awareness) that support long-term mental wellness and self-confidence.
Build Capacity Among Youth Workers and Organizations
To strengthen the ability of participating organizations and youth workers to design and implement inclusive programs by providing experience, methodologies, and resources that can be reused and adapted in future projects.
Raise Awareness About Disability and Mental Health
To engage local communities, schools, and stakeholders in open dialogue about the needs and potential of youth with mental disabilities, highlighting the importance of inclusive, non-formal education and holistic mental health support.
The YOGI-RHYTHM project is designed to deliver meaningful, lasting results at multiple levels: individual, organizational, and community-wide. At the individual level, participants are expected to experience measurable improvements in emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and enhanced social interaction. These outcomes will be tracked through structured reflection activities and informal assessments conducted by facilitators and support staff. Beyond emotional well-being, participants will also gain increased confidence, greater body awareness, and practical stress management tools that can be integrated into their daily lives.
One of the most tangible outputs of the project will be a replicable, inclusive educational methodology combining yoga, mindfulness, and non-formal learning in outdoor settings. This model, designed specifically to engage youth with mental disabilities, will be documented and formatted into a practical toolkit. The toolkit will include activity guides, facilitation strategies, and adaptation tips, making it a valuable resource for other youth workers and organizations aiming to replicate or adapt the project’s approach.
Additionally, the project will produce a range of creative and educational materials co-developed by the participants themselves. These will include illustrated breathing and movement guides, short instructional videos, and personal storytelling journals. These materials will not only support ongoing use by participants but will also be shared publicly via digital platforms such as SALTO and the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, amplifying the project’s impact and visibility across Europe.
To further engage local communities and reduce stigma surrounding disability and mental health, the project will host public events in each partner country. These include open-air yoga sessions, inclusive performances, and community dialogues designed to raise awareness and promote understanding. These events will help position young people with disabilities not as recipients of care but as active contributors to cultural life and public well-being.
At the organizational level, all partners will gain new competencies in inclusive project design, disability-sensitive facilitation, and intercultural team management. This capacity-building will be integrated into their regular youth work strategies, strengthening their long-term ability to engage diverse groups. Internal evaluation and staff reflections will be used to institutionalize these lessons and inform future Erasmus+ applications.
Participants will also receive Youthpass certificates that recognize the development of key competences, such as cultural awareness, social participation, and learning to learn. The Youthpass process itself will reinforce participants’ self-awareness and help them articulate the value of their learning, particularly when transitioning to further education, employment, or community engagement.
Finally, the relationships established among the partner organizations will result in the formation of a durable, transnational network committed to inclusive and therapeutic youth work. The project will lay the groundwork for future collaborations, joint initiatives, and strategic efforts to elevate inclusive methodologies within the European youth sector.
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