CIRCLE FACILITATOR TRAINING AND MENTORING

SO EVERYONE HAS A PLACE TO BE SEEN, HEARD AND BE WELCOME

DEVELOP YOUR FACILITATION SKILLS

INTRODUCTORY TRAINING

This is the perfect place to begin if you’re new to this subject area. Either a 3-hour introductory workshop, Self-Study course at your own pace or a monthly online circle.

FACILITATOR TRAINING (online)

Become a confident facilitator with our flagship 12-week Circle Holders Journey designed to give you all the skills, knowledge, practice and community you need.

Or if you’re specifically interested in sharing Yoga Nidra, join our 6 week specialist training.

INTENSIVE TRAINING (in person)

Join us for an immersive circle experience over a weekend to give you specialist skills for holding space with different techniques.

Why should you train in circle facilitation?

Create a space where people are truly seen and heard, and where connection transcends the superficial.

Do you want to increase the sense of community in your group classes/ sessions?

Do you want to become a better workshop facilitator with more participant contribution?

Is group facilitation part of your job description but group dynamics are scary and you need creative facilitation skills that work?

Do you want to start your women’s circle? Run a men’s circle? Lead a perimenopause circle? Or work with another group or topic?

Are you ready to hone the art of circle facilitation and confidently step into being a leader and Circle Holder?

We have different levels of training to meet you where you are now and support you to create life-changing spaces and communities.

What people are saying about our trainings…

  • “Fabulous and inspiring course. Run by two lovely people who made me feel safe and supported as well as being encouraged to take risks and try new things/skills. I feel empowered to take these new offerings into my community.".”

    Louise Reynolds

  • "Your training helped enormously, I think it gave me the confidence boost that I needed just beforehand. It helped me to create the structure that I needed and the shared guidelines were much appreciated."

    Anna Carruthers

  • "I loved the course, it was informative, interactive and inspiring. I finished the course totally inspired to hold a circle for menopausal women to help build community and fight isolation in our increasingly automated world. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in starting to learn how to facilitate circles."

    Emma Catherine Lawn

  • ""The course itself has been a space to explore, to listen and to learn in a way that is safe to express whatever I have experienced and know whatever I share will be held with respect and kindness. my ambition is to create these spaces and also prioritise joining these spaces held by others."

    Roisin Gaughran

This book is essential reading… Julia and Tessa are wise and encouraging guides

~ Juno Magazine, Autumn 2024

Available worldwide through Amazon or at your local independent bookshop

What people are saying about our book…

  • “A much-needed guide to the art and skills of circle holding, this book is inviting, accessible, and full of inspiration and practical advice. If you work with groups, or you would like to, put it at the top of your reading list - you won't regret it."

    Jess Glenny, somatic movement teacher, facilitator, therapist

  • “With crystalline enquiry and analysis, as well as passion for the form, they have built an easeful, how- to guide for beginning and extending a circle-facilitation practice. What a treasure trove of thoughtful, creative tools for holding the simplest and most informal circles through to managing serious and impactful group intentions. Thank you!"

    Jane Bennett, Menstrual Educator and Founder of the Celebration Day for Girls

  • “ As an individual working in hospitals and prison settings, Circle Holding was a transformational read. In the exploration of meaningful connection, the authors’ heartfelt voices were especially moving as they led us to gain intimate insight into how various communities engage with the shared values of inclusivity, personal and communal growth."

    Soshana Perry, Narrativ 4 Facilitator & Mindfulness Educaor

  • "A gorgeously nourishing book that will open the heart of anyone who reads it. Julia and Tessa take us on an inspiring journey, immersing us in knowledge and courage so we know how to design beautiful inclusive, safe and creative circles in an infinite number of ways."

    Fiona Agombar, Yoga Therapist, author and Rest Activist

  • Circle Holding by Julia Davis and Tessa Venuti Sanderson is a must-have guide for anyone leading circles. Their passion shines through as they empower you to create safe, supportive spaces for meaningful conversations. Packed with practical tips and insightful interviews, this book equips you to confidently navigate every step. Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or just starting out, Circle Holding will be your trusted companion on your circle-leading journey.

    Donna Noble, Author, Teaching Body Positive Yoga

  • Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson's clear, approachable discussion of the dynamic process of circle holding in Talking Circles is vital reading for anyone interested in fostering empathy and empowering positive change. It will be extremely useful for my own work in interfaith and cross communal conversations. This is a book that will help build the supportive communities of the future, and enable anyone to access the necessary skills required to set up and run a circle, enabling us to appreciate and overcome any challenges along the way. It is written with warmth, insight and humour. A significant contribution to changing the culture and building a better society.

    Ariel Kahn, novelist and Associate Artist at the Woolf Interfaith Institute

  • Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson take us gently by the hand and invite us to dive into the possibilities for connection and healing that are calling us to hold space for our communities. Deeply practical, it offers step-by-step guidance on everything we need to consider; who to invite, inclusion, venues and online meetings, preparing the space, marketing, support and money are all laid out. An absolute gem, I wish this book had existed before I held circles - it would have saved me heaps of time, energy and heartache.

    Kate Codrington, Author of Second Spring and The Perimenopause Journal

  • Just wow!! This book is ALL THE THINGS when considering or creating a Circle. So many authors on this subject focus only on what will be happening during the event but these authors cover not only those essentials with great passion, insight and depth but then also speak to the 'dream space' that will lead you to create a deeply authentic-to-you, congruent and meaningful offering. They then double down on the value by walking the reader, step by step through all the technical, logistic, administrative and challenges of circle creation by sharing their personal insights and 'time in the trenches'. It's beautiful, powerful and pretty ESSENTIAL if you like to either start your journey creating Circles or want to seriously hone your craft!

    Jenny Burrell, Founder of Burrell Education

  • Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson have written a well researched, clearly communicated and compelling story into the art and craft of how important Talking Circles are and how they work. It is strong theoretically AND practically. This is an essential read for anyone who works in the Wellness Industry - Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master, Sound Healer, Breathwork Facilitator - because all of this work essentially takes place in the sacred space of a circle. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

    Benedict Beaumont, Founder of Breathing Space

Meet your Guides

Julia (left) and Tessa are the co-authors of Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles. They’ve taught together for five years and are both senior yoga teachers.

Julia worked in the corporate world before setting up the Yoga Teachers Forum. Tessa was an academic researcher (her PhD was in Medical Sociology) before focusing on the rites of passage of the 3Ps: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause (tessavenutisanderson.co.uk).

They have 20+ years of circle facilitation experience with different types of circles (women’s, new mum, mother and daughter, perimenopause, yoga teachers, Red Tents , grief and more) so they can support you to make your circle a reality, whatever you’re planning.

Julia’s an occasional stand up comedian and Tessa loves to dance, whether it’s at Five Rhythms or aqua aerobics! We’re busy self-employed mums who understand work/life balance and aim to support you whatever your needs.

Our values: Attuned, Responsive, Non-judgemental, Heart-led, Welcoming

Begin your circle holding journey here.

The Circle Holding Podcast

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As featured in magazines…

Overview of upcoming trainings

Trainings

Comprehensive Facilitator Training (online) Mondays Bi-Weekly 19 Jan - 30 March 2026 13:00-15:00 GMT - 3 Month in-depth training - Early Bird Open - book your place and attend Circle Holding Fundamentals in 2025 FREE.

Group Mentoring Programme (online) 13 Feb - 8 May 2025 1200 - 1330 GMT - 3 month live programme

Circle Holding Fundamentals (online) Monday 3rd February 2025 1200 - 1500 GMT & Wednesday 30th April 2025 0900-1200 BST

London Weekend Retreat 8 & 9 March 2025 10-16:00 2025 GMT - immersive non-residential training

Yoga Nidra & Circle Holding Facilitator Training (online) 28 April l- 16 June 2025 1230-1430 BST

Autumn Weekend Retreat 3-5th October 2025 - residential retreat at Holland House, Worcestershire

Join whenever you like: Self-study course

Free mini trainings happen regularly through the year.

Begin your circle holding journey here.