Offering Women’s Yoga Circles is perhaps the most transformative and profound activity I’ve done in my journey as a yoga teacher. I know many of you want to teach circles as well.
For several years I lead what I called Women’s Wisdom and Yoga Circles. Later I changed the name to Blissful Goddess Circles™, (the participants really loved that name :-). Such circles still form the basis of all my work, including workshops, retreats, and even online small-group programs.
Whatever you decide to name your circle, and whether you choose to run it as a separate, monthly group or an integral part of your teaching, I highly recommend circles to you!
This is the first in a series of seven articles on leading women’s yoga circles. In this issue, I’ll discuss the value of such a circle and offer questions to help you envision the circle you’d like to start yourself. Getting clear on your intention provides the foundation for every decision you’ll make going forward. Subsequent articles will cover specific steps to prepare for and lead your circle.
Why start a women’s yoga circle?
- Leading a circle is tremendously fulfilling. You will get to go deeper with your best students, the ones most committed to growth and transformation.
- A women’s circle meets a deep longing to be seen and to see. It validates us as women, and helps us connect with what is most beautiful in ourselves ~ with wisdom and compassion.
- Women have met in circles over millennia as a way of invoking the Divine Feminine. The 64 yogini temples were the only temples in India built in a circle. As one of my circle participants said, “meeting with women in this way connects me with something ancient and female.” This grounds and settles us in our being.
- The actual geometric form of a circle, where everyone is equidistant from the center, leads to honoring all voices. Circles are especially healing for women, who have often had the experience of devaluing our own worth, or having been devalued by others. Circles empower us, inspiring joyful self-appreciation and self-awareness.
- As Thich Naht Hanh has said, “Community will be the guru of the future.” Circles provide community in which to come to know our own truth, and to gain clarity on important questions and actions in our lives.
- It’s fun! Dancing, circling, journaling, and listening to stories are truly delightful. What a great context to integrate with yoga asana. I promise you will go home in a better mood than when you arrived.
- You will learn so much about yourself as a woman. I am always amazed by the gems of wisdom offered through the stories of other women’s lives.
- It’s financially smart. As a yoga teacher, it makes sense to add an additional service and stream of revenue. The circle may also attract new students who will then attend your other offerings.
- To expand on the above, a circle will nourish the rest of your teaching. Your circle sisters will fall even more in love with yoga and your teaching, and will become those most likely to attend your other workshops and retreats. (And they will probably bring their friends!)
- You’ll be making a profound contribution to the healing and evolution of the planet. A circle provides the alchemical framework for deep transformation that births light and love into the world. What a service to offer!
Setting Your Intention For Your Own Circle
Spend some time journaling about YOUR reasons for wanting to start a circle:
- What is moving and stirring inside of you?
- What has been your experience with past circles? How have they touched your heart and helped you grow?
- What is the form, size, setting, or location of the circle you are envisioning, and how do you want to feel leading it?
- What is the transformation that participants are receiving from this circle? How do they feel being a part of it?
- How would you like this circle to blend with and enhance the rest of your teaching?
Now sit back and allow your intention to settle in your being. Invite the power of the Goddess to come and be with you. Light a candle in your heart, and feel the Goddess holding your sacred intention with you, guiding and protecting it.
May your intention come to fruition for the benefit of all beings!
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