You can support the podcast here

In series two of this podcast, we bring you insights into circle holding, whether you are an (aspiring) circle facilitator or attendee, through interviews with experienced circle holders and conversations between Julia and Tessa, the founders of Circle Holding.

In this episode with Nicky Yazbeck (https://nickyyyoga.com/) and Julia, they covered:

• How Nicky holds a women’s circle for those who’ve experienced plant medicine

• Ayahuasca is a serious plant medicine and need to prepare through clean diet and other preparations

• A circle is important for creating a container for the experience

• There is a WhatsApp group important for the integration of what came up after taking the plant medicine – everyone in the group has shared experience

• People are welcome whether it’s a good or bad day

• Separate women and men’s circles are held because they’ve found a different level of sharing when the sexes are separated

• Pre-circle phone call with Nicky to set expectations

• Opening is an opportunity for someone to share – might be a chance to grow through vulnerability e.g. singing in from of the circle, teaching a meditation

• She’s found that having done plant medicine, people are willing to go deeper: there’s no hesitancy about sharing

• She asks people to be specific about what they want: to have space held for them, support given, reflection and / or advice. Definitely not there to rescue people. Attendees may check “Are you open to feedback?”

• In a 3 hour circle, there are usually 9-14 women and Nicky doesn’t keep time for how long people speak for.

• A firm guideline is that we don’t talk about people who aren’t present.

• Closing is an opportunity to ask everyone how they want to close the circle to give ownership e.g. singing a song, rolling oms, holding hands

Get your free Start Your Circle Guide http://eepurl.com/iJH3pw

You can order our book Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Holding-Practical-Facilitating-Talking/dp/1805013157/

Or you can get 10% off the book through the publisher using code CIRCLEHPOD10 at checkout on this link only: https://uk.singingdragon.com/products/circle-holding

Find details of the next free mini training and Q&A here and all our upcoming trainings on the Training menu above.