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BOOK HERE: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/calmheart/1256025IFS Constellations are an integration of the popular therapeutic modality of IFS (Internal Family Systems) with the somatic group process of Constellations, offering a powerful embodied experience for growth and transformation. Devised by Ruth Culver, this unique integration is an opportunity to explore your own system and challenges within a small, safe group — building inner compassion, connection, calm and confidence.
There will be three Constellations during the day, which means three people bring a personal situation or challenge to explore. Each Constellation is facilitated to unfold gradually and organically, with members of the group being invited to participate, or sometimes gaining most from simply witnessing and being present to their own experience.
Everyone is supported to benefit from each Constellation with plenty of time to digest personal material and insights. The workshop is designed to facilitate practical experience of bringing curiosity and compassion to whatever is happening within us, creating a secure container for old beliefs and behaviours to soften and build ‘Self-energy’ for a happier, healthier life.
WHAT ARE IFS CONSTELLATIONS?
IFS Constellations are very different from Family Constellations — the original form devised by the German psychologist Burt Hellinger from traditional Zulu practices. Some of the main differences are:
✦ in IFS Constellations we explore the internal system of 'parts', not the external family/ancestral system
✦ we use the full healing protocol of IFS (unblending, witnessing, unburdening & retrieving), whereas Family Constellations are based around a different set of questions and assumptions
✦ unlike psychodrama or sculpting, IFS Constellations take their cues from mindful embodiment rather than cognitive information.
We are most familiar with the word ‘constellation’ in relation to stars, but the definition is simply 'a collection of parts' — in this case, the various parts of us that react in different ways to a situation. Many different forms have evolved from Hellinger's work, including Systemic, Corporate, IoPT and Environmental Constellations. The fundamental similarity is that all 'Constellations' involve a somatic phenomenon which is variously described as quantum entanglement, telepathy or universal inter-connectedness; like gravity, it is impossible to explain but very evident and powerful.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE WORKSHOP?
The workshop begins by establishing a safe and supportive environment for participants to explore together during the day, with introductions, guidelines and an embodied IFS meditation. You may bring a particular issue to explore, or simply a desire to know yourself more deeply, or feel more free and powerful in your life.
The process of participating will be explained before the first Constellation begins. One person briefly describes what they want to explore, with others in the group invited to 'represent' the parts that arise as the Constellation unfolds. The process of 'representing' is simply noticing and naming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations — there is no acting or role-play involved, so everyone can do it, but you are free to observe until it feels right to to take part.
Gradually a constellation (or collection) of parts emerges around the issue — effectively creating a map of internal dynamics. The Internal Family Systems protocol is applied throughout, fully guided by the facilitator, bringing curiosity, compassion and validation, which helps to soften entrenched behaviours and beliefs, and open the possibly for transformation.
Witnessing and participating in Constellations offers profound personal insights and growth, plus a precious experience of developing trust and connection within a group through shared experience within a safe container.
IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR YOU?
1. You DO NOT need to have taken part in Constellations before, however it is very helpful to have a basic understanding of IFS (available through books/podcasts etc).
2. These workshops involve deep emotional exploration therefore NOT suitable for people in acute situations, undergoing psychiatric treatment or who currently find it difficult to regulate their emotions. By booking you are making your own personal assessment that you can take emotional care of yourself. If you have any doubts please contact Ruth to discuss.
3. Please ensure you take PLENTY of time for rest and integration afterwards. The effects of this work continue to evolve during the days and weeks after a workshop, and taking things gently for 24 hours supports this process.
PRACTICALITIES
Date: Sunday 30 June
Timing: Arrivals from 9:30 AM. Workshop 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Important! Please arrive by 9:45 AM latest so you are in good time for the start of the workshop. The opening circle sets the container, so latecomers are not admitted once guidelines and confidentiality are shared.
Venue: Tara Yoga Centre, 2nd Floor, Crown House, 193 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1UT
You can take the number 1 or 5 bus from the train station or the city centre and get off at Manzil Way bus stop.
Please bring:
✦ your own water bottle
✦ a closed container if you want hot drinks in the workshop room
✦ paper/notebook & coloured crayons - provided, but in case you prefer to use your own
✦ a cushion (plus optional comfort items eg slippers, blanket)
You are welcome to bring lunch, or there are plenty of shops and cafes close by.
Timetable: after introductions to the content of the day and one another, there will be three constellations spread across the day, plus ample time between each one for extended individual and group processing. It is likely that the lunch hour will start around 1.30/1.45, so you may want to have a substantial breakfast. Drinks and snacks are provided.
Accessibility: the venue is on the ground floor with accessible toilet facilities.
PRICES
£110 per person
Constellations are not pre-bookable, but will be selected at random from volunteers on the day.
Concessions: It is important that this work is not exclusive, so if the price is beyond your means, please email [email protected] and say a little about your circumstances & what is affordable for you.
BOOK HERE: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/calmheart/1256025
FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
"The extraordinarily gentle, compassionate and respectful space that Ruth creates means strangers come together, feel completely at ease and able to support each other's healing"
“Really deep work done in a safe and nurturing way.”
"I really like how IFS model is adapted for external exploration. Also how all those witnessing could engage in their own parts brought up by the constellations."
"An intimate internal experience helping me to connect with my parts deeper than I have before."
"The constellation process showed me how I can interact with my parts without being overwhelmed because the parts were represented outside of me — I found I could really observe them and meet them."
"Revelatory, warm, life-affirming — and unlike any workshop I've attended before."
"A powerful, insightful and inspirational day. It felt super safe, contained and respectful."
“I’m feeling really positive, less judgemental. My inner critic has quietened."
"Amazing to see the constellation process work, and the closeness and empathy that developing in the group."
"A very safe way of doing constellations. So helpful in seeing the process of unblending happen spatially."
"I loved the feeling of connection and compassion for other people. Also seeing my parts in other people & feeling the resonance of my own parts in response to other people's process."
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Ruth Culver is Certified and Level 3 trained in IFS, and specialises in somatic and creative integrations. She offers experiential workshops and trainings both online and in-person, and also works individually with adolescents and adults in Brighton (UK).
Her interest in trauma, attachment and resilience led to the creation of the The Survive/Thrive Spiral infographic, which maps together IFS and Polyvagal Theory. It is used by mental health professionals and individuals across the globe, and can be downloaded free from her website in a wide range of languages.
Ruth has also devised two other IFS integrations: Drawing into Self: a method for doing IFS though guided intuitive drawing (for individuals and groups), and IFS Constellations: a method for doing IFS through the somatic group resonance process of constellations.
Ruth has been a guest on a number of podcasts including IFS Talks and has been published in The International Journal of Trauma. She is currently creating a certified training course for Drawing into Self.
WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY
If the workshop has to be cancelled you will receive a full refund.
If you have to cancel, a full refund (less a £15 admin fee) is available until 7 days before the workshop, or until the day before if the workshop is sold out. You are welcome to transfer your ticket to another participant (no fee) — just inform us in advance of their name and contact details.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Tara Yoga Centre, 2nd Floor, Crown House, 193 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1UT, United Kingdom
