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Learn, Live, Give Women’s CircleWhen: Last Thursday of every month (unless otherwise specified), starting from 28th March 2024
From: 19:00-20:30 Please avoid arriving late to ensure the group is not disturbed during guided meditation
20:30-21:00 Optional extra 30 minutes for supportive conversations and herbal tea (£1 donation)
Where: Yoga Barn, Laurel Park Campsite, Huntsgate, Gedney Broadgate, Spalding, PE12 0DJ
Cost: £15 per session (or an annual payment of £150, so 12 sessions for the cost of 10)
What is a Women’s Circle?
Women’s circles provide a space where women are encouraged to share and celebrate wisdom, companionship, and compassion, rooted in the belief that every woman has a voice that matters. Sessions welcome authenticity, vulnerability, laughter and tears, in the knowledge that the group offers a confidential, non-judgemental, supportive environment that enables personal transformation, collective empowerment and a sense of belonging. Reflective activities and discussions are designed to nurture resilience, emotional wellbeing and self-awareness, enhancing a woman’s ability to move with the ebb and flow of life, with acceptance and gratitude.
The Learn, Live, Give concept promotes life-long learning through the practice of self-awareness, curiosity and mindfulness, inspiring the creation and maintenance of a balanced lifestyle that provides opportunities to give back to local communities and the world at large.
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” Dalai Lama
What to Expect:
• Warm welcome and overview of group guidelines, including an introduction to the theme
• Grounding meditation and pranayama/breathing practice
• Supportive sharing circle – an opportunity to speak and listen with compassion and kindness
• Time for reflection (and/or setting compassionate intentions), through journaling or discussion
• Mindfulness meditation, harnessing the power of now
• Time for sharing inspirational poems, book recommendations or other creative teachings or skills
• Closing pranayama/breathing practice and/or meditation inspired by the dynamics of the session
• Optional: Extra 30 minutes for supportive conversations and herbal tea (£1 donation)
Note About Trauma: Women's circles offer a supportive, trauma-sensitive environment that encourage healing and resilience, but they are not group therapy and should therefore not be treated as such. Women affected by emotional trauma may find some of the content shared by others triggering and therefore they should give this compassionate consideration before attending. However, many people find group circles and deep self-exploration helpful in overcoming trauma, but it’s important to note that this is not the primary intention of a women’s circle.
Note About Inclusivity: Open to anyone identifying as a woman, over the age of 18.
Group Guidelines:
• Authenticity – show up as your perfectly, imperfect self, willing to share your genuine thoughts and feelings, moment to moment – no need to prepare a speech or even have your mind in order – be a real, unedited version of your true self.
• Confidentiality – by attending a circle you agree to total confidentiality around everything shared, which includes not speaking to a person post-circle about what was shared unless explicit permission has been given.
• Kindness and Honesty – demonstrate both kindness and honesty as a way to show respect for yourself and the others in the group – share from your heart.
• Unconditional positive regard – assume unconditional positive regard for every person in the circle, knowing that all human beings deserve consideration, understanding and care.
• Non-judgemental Attitude – foster an open-minded, compassionate attitude towards others, appreciating that every person’s life experience and subsequent decisions and opinions are complex.
• Expectations – let go of any specific expectations from the group or its members, instead, welcoming the group experience with curiosity and openness.
• Mindful Listening – during sharing times, practice mindful listening, without making comment or giving advice (allowing the person to speak at their own pace, without interruption).
• Facilitator Participation – the circle facilitator will guide the session, managing the structure and timing of the group, but they will also participate in personal sharing practices as a way of leading by example.
• Empowerment – feel empowered to make your own choices and decisions about what to share in circles – you will never be forced to participate.
• Managing Time – endeavour to keep the duration of your sharing in mind to ensure each person has an equal opportunity to speak.
• Joy (including laughter) and Sadness (including crying) – The full spectrum of human emotions is welcomed in circle.
• Comforting and Cross Sharing – rather than assuming that a person needs comfort or advice during sharing circles, practice mindful listening without commenting, enabling people to drop into their emotions, whilst learning how to self-soothe.
• Human Touch – feel free to bring your hands to your own heart or belly (or such places) if this encourages a sense of connection or comfort. Never assume that another person wants to be touched, in the form of a hug, for example – always ask for permission first.
• Personal Experience – only share direct experiences, rather than making assumptions about what another person or group of people think or feel.
• Window of Tolerance – respect your window of tolerance and need for self-care, knowing that you are always welcome to move your body or step out the room, according to your needs.
• No Taboo Subjects – anything you wish to share in circle is welcome.
• Loving Boundaries – practice having loving boundaries for yourself and others. You are not expected to resolve other people’s problems or emotions. Nor will you be forced to share more than you want to.
• Embrace Learning – be open to learning from circle activities and other participants.
• After-Care – sessions incorporate practices designed to help soothe the nervous system, release stress and connect with the body. It is important to honour your need for rest, emotional release and space during and after a circle. Please reach out to Emma if you require additional support.
2024 Themes:
Each session will be loosely based on a single word, providing some focus for practices and poetry etc.
Thursday 28th March - Authenticity
Thursday 25th April - Courage
Thursday 30th May - Empowered
Thursday 27th June - Resilience
Thursday 25th July - Expectation
Thursday 29th August - Wisdom
Thursday 20th Sept* - Acceptance
Thursday 31st October - Contentment
Thursday 28th November - Truth
Thursday 19th Dec* - Connection
*Note: Due to other commitments, September and December 2024 will be held one week earlier than usual.
Circle Facilitator:
Emma Bacon has qualifications linked to hatha yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, mindfulness, life coaching, ayurveda, and nutrition. She also has over 13 years-experience running self-support groups for people affected by disordered eating and other mental health issues, including trauma. Emma teaches weekly yoga and meditation classes, in addition to hosting transformational yoga retreats in the UK and abroad.
Emma’s ultimate ambition is to inspire and empower others to connect with their authentic self, through a continuous journey of self-exploration and understanding, resulting in a positive ripple affect outwards.
Booking:
Please contact Emma via messenger, WhatsApp or mobile 07790 296737, or email [email protected] to book a space – booking is essential. Please make payment to the following bank details: Account Name: Rebalancing Me Ltd. Account number: 43559459. Sort code: 20-57-40. Reference: Women’s Circle. Charges still apply for cancellation with less than 24 hour notice.
Join the Learn Live Give Women’s Circle Facebook group via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Md9eECaCiGSF5d4Q/?mibextid=K35XfP
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Laurel Park Campsite, Huntsgate, Gedney Broadgate, Spalding, United Kingdom
