Scientific Writing- and Yoga Retreat

Key words: Scientific Writing, Writing with ease, Yoga and Meditation, Self-management, Personal Development

Introduction to course topics:

When writing a paper or thesis, doctoral candidates often face several challenges. Amongst others, scientific texts have to address the target readership, be structured strictly and logically and be written in a precise and concise style. The complexity of such a writing project can be overwhelming, leading to lack of motivation and enhanced procrastination - especially when writing alone, as an isolated author.
In this writing- and yoga - retreat, Dr. Kerstin Minnich will provide material for strategies to efficiently plan scientific texts and to implement style and structural conventions adequately during the writing process. Furthermore there will be short writing impulses at the start of each writing day. Besides theoretical input on writing topics, the participants will have plenty of opportunity to work with their own texts, make progress with their manuscripts and profit from the exchange with fellow writers.
In addition Dr. Luisa Demant offers Yoga, Embodiment and Mindfulness practices to move and relax the body and mind. The embodiment practice will provide tools to reflect on personality patterns. We will focus on finding individual strategies to overcome procrastination, writer’s block, as well as reflecting on imposter syndrome.
Furthermore, we offer individual sessions for each participants with each trainer to discuss individual issues regarding the writing process and self-management. This unique combination of writing and yoga coaching equips participants with the right tools for a successful PhD writing process.

Course aims:

• Participants are able to make significant progress on their papers and/or dissertations in a relaxed and trusting atmosphere.
• Participants get feedback on their text or input regarding their writing strategies according to their individual needs.
• Participants have access to self-study material which supports them in specifying their research question, getting to know their writing type and applying structure-and style conventions in scientific texts
• Participants create a sense for the body and learn strategies to increase their physical and mental wellbeing through yoga
• Participants are able to use yoga and embodiment exercises to analyse their situation. They gain clarity for the next steps
• Yoga and mindfulness practices enable participants to use methods to sharpen their concentration for a successful writing process

Teaching methods: Presentations, Exercises, Discussions, Movement

Participation requirements: Participants benefit most from the retreat, if they can work on an ongoing writing project and if they are open to yoga- and mindfulness exercises. The retreat is most beneficial when participants are open to discussion and sharing of personal insights about their writing process.

This course fits doctoral candidates in the following phase: at the end of their doctorate

Additional notes:

• Please bring along/ wear comfortable clothes
• Please bring a yoga/gym mat or a big beach towel