The beginning of spring at CSI Centrifuga was marked by a very fun and lively youth exchange held in Maribor, Slovenia.
The project YOUth DANCEs brought together 20 young people from 4 European organizations: Bioville (Latvia), FITT (Romania), CTU (Slovenia), and CSI Centrifuga (Serbia). From April 7th to 11th, we had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental health, as well as the challenges brought on by the modern digital age.
Through creative and interactive workshops, we discussed how much time we spend sitting each day—at the computer, at work, at school, on social media—and how that lifestyle affects our minds and bodies.
We also learned about the importance of digital detox and discovered numerous methods we can apply to consciously step away from screens and return to physical presence, real interaction, and movement.
The ideal form of physical activity for achieving our goals was—DANCE!
Why dance?
Because it combines movement, emotion, and fun all in one. Dance not only activates our muscles but also relieves stress, lifts our mood, and eases our worries. With a good rhythm, young people find it easier to express emotions, meet new people, and appreciate their bodies just the way they are. It’s the best recipe for a healthy body and an even healthier mind. And most importantly—it doesn’t matter how we dance, what matters is that we move, feel, and be ourselves!
That’s exactly what the Centrifuge team did during this youth exchange. Along with other participants from across Europe, we learned modern dance, choreography, and elements of improvisation. We taught each other traditional dances and even tried dance meditation in nature.
All of our efforts and teamwork were focused on one common goal—a FLASH MOB!
We practiced diligently and performed our choreography in the Main Square of Maribor, surprising the gathered locals with joyful rhythm and positive energy.
We’re thrilled with our performance, and soon you’ll have the chance to watch it too—so follow us on social media!
Through dance, we overcame language barriers, improved our understanding of one another, empowered our bodies and minds—and besides new dance moves, we took home new friendships and unforgettable memories.
