Online and In-Person

with Sheila Singh

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Dates: Thursdays, August 11th and 18th 6:30 - 8:30pm

Sundays, August 14th and 21st, 1 - 6pm

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In this module, we will explore what it means to hold space for healing and to foster community. Both are intimately tied, as trusted communities can support healing, and this in turn strengthens the circle of community itself. A healing space welcomes people to show up as they are, where they are met and held with compassion, and without agenda. As a facilitator, we can learn how to hold the container for individuals to approach the edge of both comfort and discomfort, as they are ready, where often growth or some shift awaits them on the other side. No matter to whom or what you are teaching, this module will help you become aware of the energetic movements happening within a group, and how to hold your offering with skill, care and ongoing self-inquiry. Our time will be a combination of conversation, reflection, meditation and journaling.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understanding the fundamental components of holding space for healing and fostering community

2. Understanding your identity/role as the space holder

3. Recognizing and moderating power dynamics while holding boundaries and agreements for the group

4. Using language that is humanistic and supports agency and permission

5. Understanding holding space through the lens of the autonomic nervous system and polyvagal theory

 

 

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

 

Embodied Presence and Being Resourced

• Attention vs. Presence

• Embodiment and Inner Resourcing

• Importance of personal practice

 

Fundamentals of Holding Space for Healing

• Defining a healing space

• Your identity as space holder

• Establishing the container and safe anchors

• Timing and space

• Predictability and (energetic) organization

• Language of permission and agency

• Moderating power dynamics in the physical, energetic and relational field

• Welcoming humanity and trusting the innate wisdom of all beings

• Tolerating emerging comforts and discomforts, regulation and dysregulation

• Importance of tracking your own experience

• Navigating abreactions

 

Fostering Community

• Understanding community through polyvagal theory and the autonomic nervous system lens

• Deep listening, soft mirroring

• Holding gentle boundaries and clear agreements