The Art of Holding Space

Facilitating groups with skill & depth

A 3 month course

**

Begins in Janury 2025

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IN NOW OPEN - It closes December 23rd

Click here to apply

AS HUMANS, OUR LONGING TO GATHER IS PROFOUND.

We are increasingly recognizing the importance of coming together in a different way. To heal our stories of being in community and the ways we walk this Earth.

We are realizing that we cannot and do not want to do this thing called life alone.  We experience the desire to strengthen our communities or create new ones. 

AS FACILITATORS, WE FEEL A PULL TO BE THE GATHERERS.

Holding space for others is a labour of love, and brings with it many layers of complexity, but we feel the pull to it nonetheless.

We know we can’t bemoan the loss of the village, and not participate in the re-weaving of the village.

We feel the pull of togetherness, and the pull to our role of bringing people together.

MOST OF US HAVE ALSO HAD DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES IN GROUPS.

We meet edges in group spaces. That may surprise us at times. Wounds and past experiences that were not easy and are brought into the room with us.

So often this ends up being a reason people step out of a group, or groups descend into drama, rather than an opportunity to create stronger relations between us. 

IN DIFFICULT MOMENTS, THE GROUP LOOKS TO THE FACILIATOR FOR GROUNDING & GUIDANCE

Fear of these moments and how to meet them, is what keeps people who feel called to facilitation from stepping into their role.

It’s also what prevents facilitators from taking their groups deeper, inviting more diversity, and being more artful in their facilitation.

THE ART OF HOLDING SPACE
TEACHES YOU HOW TO FACILITATE
GROUPS WITH SKILL & DEPTH

This invitation is for you who want to become even more artful facilitators & spaceholders. Here, you will explore your role, your leadership, and boundaries, so you can rise as a heart led Spaceholder and through this work, create healing ripples into the World.

🔥

HERE ARE SOME THEMES WE WILL WORK WITH IN THE COURSE:

• What is a safe space and is it something you can promise?

• When resistance arises, the group doesn’t flow, people leave, etc

• How to open the space and ground the people in it

• Ways of working with groups – partner work, group, solo

• The exercises you can bring in that support your theme 

• Creating guidelines that are important to you 

• Cultivating diversity  

• What tool(s) do you work with, what would you like to bring into play 

• How to cope with different dynamics that can occur in a group, e.g. 

• Navigating through the honeymoon phase and the chaos that may arise beyond it

• Selfcare as a spaceholder 

• What does community mean?

• Why are you called to gather? 

• Who are you as a space holder?

THE COURSE: 

This is not a pre-recorded course. We meet live on Zoom for each teaching module, gathering together to learn & practice 

January 22nd - MODULE 1 - The stories we bring with us: Intention and the stories we carry with us - what is at stake when we take leadership, what experiences do we have about being in community, how do these stories affect us as a spacekeeper and those who gather with us? 

January 29th - MODULE 2 - Visions for the collective: The What, why and how - what is community, gathering, circle? How are they different than a workshop? What is your vision and which seeds you want to sow? The first steps of creation.  

February 5th - MODULE 3 - The elements of holding: Creating safe space, opening and grounding - how to set up a space. What is safe space? Tools and props. Next steps in creation.  

February 19th- MODULE 4 - The diversity of community: Calling in the people. Who can join? How do they hear your calling? Diversity and responsibility as a spaceholder. Bringing the threads together. 

February 26th - MODULE 5 - When groups aren’t working: We will explore what is stirring in the group and group dynamics. What to do if tension happens? What is a group isn’t harmonious? This can be practical, energetic, about the vision and calling. This space is yours. 

March 12th - Q&A SESSION: This is a Q&A session where we dabble on all the things that have risen as you worked on your own for some weeks. Inspiration for exercises, music, dynamics, marketing etc. This session is yours to ask and receive support.

March 19th - MODULE 6 - Holding yourself and great endings: Compassionate boundaries, and closing space. How do you take care of yourself when holding a space? The importance of closing space.   

WHEN:

Zoom gatherings are held at 1:30pm - 3.30pm EST (New York) /7:30pm - 9:30pm CEST (Copenhagen).

Even though all meetings are recorded, you will get more out of the course if you can prioritize meeting with us live.

In addition to the live sessions you receive: 

• Audio and guided visualizations 

• Weekly Workbooks 

• Online group - not Facebook - for support and shares

Investment:

€670 / $720 - this can be divided into 4 installments. Please email me for details.

I do not offer refunds after the course begins, so please be sure of your commitment before signing up.

Email: Info@carinalyall.com

Words about the course

“The Art of Holding Space is a short, sweet, and empowering course that leaves a lasting impression. It gave me the reflection and tools that I needed to go from wallflower to fully showing up in a group, and now ready to hold my own. The group seemed as carefully curated as the course material, and continues to be a resource, even after the course has ended” Jennie

“I am not someone who usually likes to work online, but something about this course really called to me and I was not disappointed. Being part of the Art of Holding Space was like being held in a warm earthy coccoon every week. The wisdom shared by Carina and the other women landed gently like secrets I already knew somewhere deep in my bones. I loved the easeful pace of the learning and the excited inspiration of all the juicy bits. Talking and working things out together. This course helped me to reflect on how all my experiences have brought me to this place of holding space for others. That it is an art form and has so much value that I had forgotten. This course helped me feel brave enough to share. I loved the storytelling, the visualisations, the openess and integrity of this course and how Carina held us all, showing us the way with her authenticity, humour and warmth. “ Chloe

“I admire the way you portrayed your views on the different topics we covered and found your shares of your experiences as a space holder very valuable. I also got a lot from the insights and impulses of the others. It was an inspiring group of women and I felt quite comfortable. Generally, facilitation and space holding is still quite new to me. I particularly attended the course as I hope to create a different experience and atmosphere in the business meetings and workshops that I hold as part of my work. I still have to experiment with how to incorporate aspects of the course into that. And see where else the journey might lead. The Art of Holding Space course certainly was an inspiring, gently challenging and encouraging place to embark on that journey <3” Natascha

About me

For the past 16 years Carina has guided people to come closer to nature, their inner and outer wild. She has worked with groups and retreats and has years of experience in holding space for transformation. Her has been with a focus on community, nature, storytelling and rewilding in a modern world.

Carina has a popular podcast called ‘Becoming Nature’ where she interviews peers from around the World, on sustainability, the wild, skill building and climate issues. She offers year long mentorships for people who want to build knowledge about and skills to work with the land. 

She was born in Northern Canada with deep roots with the indigenous people. She now lives with her family of 5 in the woods.