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provide very different experiences. The castle is more enclosed, while the monastery garden evokes something different. The advantage of being at the beach in the summer is that you can take a refreshing dip after a walk on the beach. By holding trainings outdoors in the summer, participants will get enough outdoor time. After the summer, they will be indoors again for at least six months,” adds Westgeest.
The brain needs movement to stay active and sharp. By going outside in nature, the senses are much more activated. Presentation messages stick for longer when people see, smell and hold on to them. When it’s experienced collectively, it turns into an experience, which is far more memorable.” Seasonal differences It’s odd that many congresses and symposia are held at fixed periods at the beginning and at the end of the year. Why not in the summer? Make use of the four seasons just like the beach and the forest, Poleacov and Westgeest say. “In the spring, we plan our spring-related deep ening and training days. There’s a lot of energy
then: showing yourself, occupying space,” Poleacov explains. “In the fall, we plan training days about mourning, loss, turning inward, and silence, which are much more in line with what people experience then: leaves falling.” Forest or beach Beach pavilion Noord in Bergen aan Zee has a different vibe than Radio Kootwijk in the Veluwe. Both the season and the location are important. “A view of the sea is about space, vastness, and dipping your feet in the water. Forests are much more enclosed, as trees affect people differently than water,” Poleacov adds. “For our trainings, we use a castle in Harmelen or an old monastery in Werkhoven. These locations
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