What is a Women's Circle?

 
Northwich Women's Circle
 

A Women's Circle is a welcoming space for a group of women to come together, to reconnect to themselves and share experiences, in a supportive and non-judgemental way, guided by one or more facilitators.

Sitting in a circle (on the floor or chairs)  we gather around a central focus point, candles, objects perhaps connecting to the theme of the circle, images, flowers. This helps to set the intention of the space as something special.  Somewhere to come to be heard, to be held and to listen deeply to yourself and others, to find gentle ritual. Somewhere to be present, honest, exactly as you are, not as you think you should be.

Circles are sometimes called safe spaces or brave spaces. Safety is a difficult thing to guarantee when we are sharing emotions, feelings and experience, so 'brave' space reflects the ownership of attendees to be responsible for their own choices in attending and sharing. I certainly facilitate my circles so that all are welcomed, and there is an agreed ethos of confidentiality and non-judgement. We come as we are. We all have our individual needs, ideas, world-view and make our own choices which should be respected.

You might attend circle and step into a space you have been longing for, or you may attend and be unsure of what to expect. Women have sat in circle since the beginning, sharing experience and supporting each other through joy and challenge.  We sit with friends, we seek out formal circles facilitated by other women with skills and knowledge to share. Whether spontaneous or planned, sitting together is powerful and the release of sharing can be deep and freeing.  It reminds us that we are not alone– it gives us validation and confidence in our common experiences and empowers us to live our fullest lives.

There is no 'fixing' at a Women's Circle, no advice giving unless it is specifically requested.  It is about listening and the validation and support that brings. Circles may be held lightly by the facilitator or opened up to deeper sharing.  Sharing is always optional and there is never any pressure to share - you can listen and reflect without sharing.

Attending a circle can bring shifts in energy and perspective, can inspire, nourish and can enable change and growth as we explore and reconnect to ourselves and what we truly need. 

 
what happens at a women's circle in Northwich

What happens during a Women’s Circle?

Here's a general overview of how a circle runs:

  • an opening of the circle - a welcome which includes the ethos of the circle and everyone's agreement to that

  • a short sharing in the circle for introductions - names, perhaps why you've come

  • a settling practice - e.g. meditation/breathwork/poem/music

  • sharing and listening time - this might be around the theme of the circle, or just an open invitation to share thoughts in the moment

  • sometimes other practices are woven into the circle - eg gentle movement/ meditation/ journaling to help reflection/ yoga nidra/ an activity/ a guest facilitator or speaker

  • a short sharing in the circle for integration and reflection

  • a closing of the circle

 

Why I am offering Women's Circles in Northwich

For over ten years I have been facilitating informal circles for sharing and listening in my regular pregnancy, postnatal and menopause yoga classes in Northwich. 

I have also attended circles many times at trainings and specific events so I know that the power of feeling held in a group of like-minded women, without judgement, is huge.  

Sharing, recognising, validating and listening to experience reminds us that we're not alone through the joys and challenges life brings. It brings shifts in energy and perspective and help us to enable change and growth where needed.

I'm really happy to be offering monthly circles so that more women can come and reconnect to themselves and each other.

One of my passions is women's well-being at all stages of life.  I love to learn about different well-being practices and ways to help us live really well, grow and thrive whatever our age or life circumstances. So I aim for my circles to be Wellness Circles, offering different themes and welcoming wellness practitioners to bring us new skills and information to support our wellbeing.

I'd love you to come along whether you have been to a women's circle before or not.  You'll find details of the next Circles and their booking links at my timetable.

Sarah Clover