The past ten days have been very valuable and demanding for me. I spent them in Liechtenstein. "Where is it?" are you asking? It is a miniature state between Austria and Switzerland, which has an area of only about 150 square meters (it has about 6 km in width and 60 km in length, only). In practice, it looks like it is one long valley, clinging to the high mountains through which the border river flows through with the Rhine. But I did not just go on vacation. I do not even know that. But I went there to participate at the international training the Core of Leadership. Despite all sorts of physical activities, we sought, evaluated and shifted our leadership boundaries.
We started sharply. On the first day, we only had a few introductory games, because twenty-five out of eight different European countries (but some of them had roots far too - India, China, Venezuela) had taken part in the project. But the very next morning we ran out after the drop of the theory of "Integral leadership" into the mountains. And into the mountains, I mean, to the Alps. We were waiting for a demanding nearly daylong trip. By the bus we reached the village (by the way, there are only villages in Liechtenstein, including the capital Vaduz, which has only 5,500 inhabitants, the whole country has 37,000 inhabitants) Steg. From here, we set off on our three-hour (for the better once from us) hike. The initial altitude of the bus stop was 1,100 m.a.s. The end height of the mountain hut where we were supposed to spend the night, Die Pfälzerhütte was 2,108 m.a.s. It was not a walk through a pink set, but it was not unexpected so awful. Although we carried our stuff for overnight stays and mountaineering, but we did frequent stops and rest, so we could handle it. They also helped grazing sheep and lambs, which were pleasantly distracting us, as well as some snow crunching under our feet, thanks to which we could refresh. At the top we were waiting for a pleasantly furnished mountain cottage with two-storey bunk beds where we stayed. Some of them gave top-quality beer, some others were resting, but they were the ones who dived in acro-yoga or downhill sliding on plastic bags. In the evening, we were thinking about what leadership meant for us, and in the evening, we were cooking a tea, because it was getting cold outside.
Immediately after breakfast we split into two groups and set out for mountain activities. I went with the climbing group. And I have to admit I was quite respectful of that. I do not exercise much during my every day life, so also the strength in my hands is not much, so I felt the stinging feeling in my stomach. And it did not add much to the fact that we were climbing the rocks on the slope of the cliff, where if you fell an apple, you did not find it anymore, because it was was scattered a good kilometre below you. But that made it even a bigger challenge. Fortunately, we started on a simple wall. Just a few meters, easy to hold for both hands and feet. We had the choice of three routes. When we got enough of it, at least some, it was time to move on to higher and more demanding routes. Good ten meters tall and smoother and more demanding handles. But that was only for those who felt they had and wanted it. Because, although it does not seem to be, it is challenging not only physically, but especially psychologically. Overcome the fear in yourself. Trust a person who is leaning you. Believe in good binding and the quality of ropes and carbines. But it was an uplifting feeling to get up there up to the top of the sketch and touch the cool metal, and then take a delightful look and absorb the call away and the beauty of the horizon. After the snack, we set out with my group to hike to the highest peak of the local mountains, Augstenberg. The road was running fast and despite our fatigue we reached it in half an hour (the usual time is almost an hour). So, we took a picture of the peak at the top of the cross and used the fifteen minutes saved to the yoga lesson to stretch the tired muscles. After lunch, back in the cottage, we went to descent. This time, we did not go back to the valley directly by the steep canyon, but we took it with a slight overhang of the forest. It was very nice, because at least it was not so dangerous. The last about a kilometre we took it, because we were threatened by a bus and not having dinner in the hostel. Running with the backpack is also one of those things that one does not do too often and knows why. I recommend. Hihi. At the hostel we had just stretched after dinner (about an hour) and went to bed. We all had enough.
The next few days our regular training began. At seven o'clock we had the morning practice of tai-chi. Always very delicate and pleasant. Such a nice stretch in the morning, no drastic maneuvers. After breakfast two and a half hours of basics of martial arts with necessary theory (centering of the body, its balance and harmony, actions and reactions, centering and holding of "body crown" etc.). And in the afternoon, the lessons of the Argentinean tango again with the theoretical basis (rhythm, basic posture, leadership and follow-up in pair, basic figures). And all this is again set in the necessary framework of leadership. From martial arts, it was especially awareness of our own strengths and weaknesses, our position among others and how we influence our other actions. From thong then the art of leading and following as complementary opposites, following his passion and engaging deep personal experience.
The stereotype was interrupted on Wednesday as a day to share our experience. When we could design ourselves and take part in the activities of others. So, the opportunity to attend sessions of salsa, free-style dancing, naturopathy, jewelry making, lessons of Italian, board games and others. In the evening we went to the Rhine to make a campfire, cook the sausages, marshmallows or take a banana with chocolate. And on Thursday we went for another day-long climbing. In which we applied some previously learned lessons, such as centralizing and stabilizing the body or trusting in our strength. For the rest, the Solo program was in the nature when we thought of our own way in the form of a leader and of where we wanted to go. In the evening, relaxing Thai massages followed.
Back to nature poem/song
Leave the busy rush of the cities,
all those people and all noise.
Get to Mother Nature’s own temple,
there is totally no choice.
She will teach you all her wise knowledge,
how to resonate and grow.
You don’t have to have a Master course
to stay in the Nature’s soul.
Keep believing in your all instincts,
keep believing in your steps.
You will get that back like thousand times,
to avoid all kind of threats.
All those flowers, trees and little bees
will become your closest friends.
Whenever you will feel very sad,
they will be behind the fence.
All the rivers will keep you refresh,
all those forests keep you calm.
Plants will also feed you very well,
to keep you safe and so warm.
You will see all those wide horizons,
you will see that bride wide sky.
You can go and explore them alone
and they’ll teach you how to fly.
When the dark will be sneaking ‘round you,
you will find your path back home.
You’ll just need to follow Polar Star
and she’ll let your spirit glow.
Ten days fled as water and the last day came. Time to think, reflect, evaluate. But also, time to plan, to create support pairs, and for some to weigh their existing life choices. The last evening. Farewell party. Nobody wants to leave. In ten days, we became a small family. A self-sustaining organism full of supportive individuals interconnected by experience and shared interest.
With all my heart I would like to thank the organizers of Reka, Elias and Sebastian for preparing and conducting the course for all participants to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. I would also like to express my thanks to the Erasmus + program, which has enabled the whole project to be implemented thanks to financial support.
