Women's Circles are back for the Summer, starting on the 1st June...
We'll meet at 7pm on a Thursday evening through the Summer, in a quiet outdoor space near Gylly Beach, Falmouth.Exact location to be sent out to those signed up! Suggested £5-£10 pay-what-you-can per circle.
If you're new to gathering in circle, you might have a few questions about what happens and how they can help our sense of wellbeing and connection...
Before I'd been to one, I wondered how a dedicated women's circle would be any different from a group of friends chatting - I was curious about the need to mark out time and have an 'organised' event. Would it be any different from a normal conversation? After my first circle, these questions answered themselves. It was such a supportive and powerful space - hard to articulate in words, but I will try and do so here to give you an idea of what to expect.
'Holding Space'
By coming together in a circle, each person has consciously carved out time for this connection - both to themselves and to others in the group. Phones are away, attention is focused. There is an agreement to be fully present and listening for the time we are together and this alone can be huge in our modern daily lives.
The idea of the circle shape is that everyone is equidistant from the centre. Although I will hold the practical role of facilitator, I am not leading, we are all sitting together to share.
We will settle into our space with a short meditation and some mindful breathing. This is low-intensity and very accessible whether or not you have done meditation or breathwork before.
Listening
In each circle we'll begin with a gentle kind of introduction or check-in, just to help everyone find their voice. After this, I might offer a prompt or theme, but ultimately the space will be open for anyone who would like to speak and be listened to.
There is a magic in simply speaking and being really, really listened to.
Can you remember a recent time when you felt deeply heard and acknowledged? So many of us lose this in our busy lives, and it feels so special to make space for this practice of focused speaking and listening in our circles. Kate Murphy's book 'You're Not Listening' explores this wonderfully.
There is no obligation to speak at any particular length or depth, and crucially, the rest of the group do not respond. This might initially seem strange, but it's essential. None of us are there to offer advice or judgement. We are not listening with a plan to give an answer or solution. We are purely listening. It's incredible how a smile, nod, or eye contact can support someone, wordlessly. We never interrupt, instead allowing whoever is speaking to word their way to a contented conclusion.
Confidentiality
The openness and vulnerability that make circle gatherings so special can only happen with the solid boundaries of respect and confidentiality. Connection in the moment is strengthened by the complete trust of the women involved - the very opposite of gossip.
Practicalities
Once you register, you'll get an email with the exact location where we'll meet. Please bring a cosy blanket, cushion, or whatever you'd like to sit on (there is easy parking nearby but if bringing 'stuff' is tricky for you I have a few spare.) Usually everyone likes to have a flask of something warm too, and if you'd like to bring anything to add to the centrepiece of the circle, it's very welcome but not at all essential. You can either bring cash or make a donation on this sign-up page, but please don't let this be a barrier to coming. We'd love to have you!
We'll meet for about and hour and a half, and if it's wet weather I will make the call at lunchtime and we'll meet on Zoom instead for that week - I was dubious about Zoom circles at first, but they are still a wonderful way of connecting together and much more appealing if it's damp! Hopefully though, once we're in June most weeks should be dry.
If you have any questions about what the circles will involve, please send me a message to ask - email hello@strengthinfeathers.com or Instagram @strength_in_feathers
If you'd like to book, the link is here. It's lovely to have you!!
Emily x