Learnings in the Facilitator Pivot

What do you do when the designated space for your movement meditation workshop is 100% exposed with 360 degree views from all passerby, there’s a bagpipe band metres from you and chainsaws going off in the other direction, not to mention the freight train in the background…

My answer: I adapt!

I work WITH the environment, embracing the challenge.

Just as it is necessary to be responsive to our group participants and their presenting needs and energy, our ability as facilitators to read the room is to read the environment and adapt our offerings accordingly. 

Festival environments are an interesting one - broad varied crowds, some may have sought your workshop out, others may just be passing by and intrigued by what you’re doing or saying. Often shorter ‘taster’ versions of your larger offerings, it is a different container to spaces where all participants start and end together on the journey, however we still must weave in the safety elements of a container for their experience. 

Admittedly the space I was provided would have been particularly intimidating for those who are curious to try intuitive movement but are self-conscious. With the participants expressing some concern for the full exposure of them on display - instead of going with what I had originally planned to be an intuitive movement journey accompanied with a playlist - I opted to pivot instead to draw our focus inward with a guided body awareness practice & meditation journey.

I attempted to cultivate an atmosphere where we can get both playful and introspective about how exactly we can “tune in”, “ground”, “centre” and “find a pause” when the environment (similar to life) is doing everything in its power to pull our focus, distract us, disconnect us from our bodies and present moment attention.

Because ultimately that’s what part of the practice is, right?

There would be so many reasons to find excuses, to get frustrated, to become overstimulated.

✨How can we - in these moments especially - return to the breath.

✨How can we bring our focus and attention to our body, and various sensations.

✨How can we use our breath, our body, our touch as avenues to carve out a sacred pause within the chaos.

We didn’t have yoga mats or cushions, we had hay bales and the earth.

We didn’t have a tranquil soundtrack, we had a mixed bag of the hustle & bustle.

And everyone got on board!

We were present and alive to all the sensations available, from the suns heat to the ants crawling on our skin to the bagpipes blaring - but each time we returned to our breath, we bought in touch and we utilised our imaginations in the visualisation.

I always make time for sharing and de-briefs because it is often in these shared reflections that further insights drop in and what might feel like an isolating experience actually connects and normalises it. It was an opportunity to have real conversations about all the common challenges one has in connecting with the present moment, connecting with their bodies; moving from a busy mind-space to focusing on their breath or a particular sensation, being curious about something they are feeling and going deeper with that one aspect.

It is beautiful to explore connecting to Self in all different environments and atmospheres.

I am always grateful for the people I get to meet through my offerings, and everyone’s willingness to curiously explore.