Welcome, dear one.
I am so glad you’re here.
((Take a deep breath. Allow yourself to arrive. We made it!))
*Want to hear me read the following message aloud to you? Click below…
Holding Space participants gather from across the globe to share these tools in learning and co-creation. This course is an alchemy of all of us who are circled here and all who circled before us. I give thanks to this virtual platform for providing a true web of connection that would be impossible otherwise.
How beautiful and powerful to be in a virtual circle of humans dedicated to expanding our capacity to show up for the change we seek; to convene transformative spaces where truth and trust are welcomed and supported; and to hold space for our own resilience and thriving in our changemaking work.
I am honored to be here with you.
My intention for our time together is to share foundational tools for space holding that you can make your own and bring back to the communities you convene. I hope that these practices serve as a jumping off point for your work and an encouragement to dive deeper.
This course offers a range of content designed to honor a diversity of participation styles with different ways to engage. Each week you’ll receive original written content, a Core Teaching Video, a gorgeous workbook, practices for Creative Resilience along with an Audio Love Note, a prompt to bring reflection into action, and three written interviews from facilitators and space holders. Make your way through the weekly content alongside our community or feel free to move at your own nourishing pace.
Some of us are professional facilitators and leaders. Others have not yet guided a group. Wherever you are in this work is absolutely okay. Know that.
So — this is an invitation — to show up with your complexities, questions, wisdom, and inspiration. Let’s co-create imperfectly, honestly, collectively.
"A true teacher does not teach you; she does not see you as inherently separate from her, or less than her. She simply reflects back your own inner knowing, and reminds you of the vastness of your being. She is a mirror, a signpost." — Jeff Foster
Welcome Video
▷ Click the arrow on the image below to watch the welcome video.
Getting Started
Community Platform
This is where we’ll be connecting in community — sharing our process and learning together with participants from all over the world. Head over to our private Mighty Networks group to introduce yourself and share a little bit about the space holding work you do — or want to do.
New Weekly Content
Every week, new modules will become available on our course site, accessible via our homepage which you can access here.
Look for an email from me each week with a reminder when the new content is live.
Week One: Why Before What — Clarity of Purpose
Week Two: Setting Powerful Containers — Finding Freedom in Structure
Week Three: It’s All About You + It’s Not At All About You — Activating a Justice Lens
Week Four: Magic in the Mess — Navigating Challenge + Conflict
Week Five: Closing the Circle — Integration + Action
Questions + Support
If you have questions specific to course logistics, you can always email me directly. If you have questions about the content and how it applies in your work, I encourage you to ask our group via our community platform or schedule a personalized 1:1 with Anya.
Disclaimer. This course format is not intended to be therapy or trauma work. The container of this virtual course is not equipped to deal with any trauma that might emerge from interaction with course materials or participants. Please, if things get stirred up for you in this process, reach out to a close friend or loved one and/or connect with a counselor, therapist, or mental health professional.
Copyright + Integrity. The ideas, writing, and content shared through the Holding Space course are intentionally crafted, curated, and copyrighted by Anya Hankin Collaborative. Your engagement with course materials indicates your agreement to refrain from sharing or disseminating any content herein, and to use the materials solely for your own personal and non-commercial use. You also agree to maintain the confidentiality of your password. Your entrance into the course and use of weekly content confirms your agreement to abide by the terms and conditions stated above. ((I thank you for your respect + integrity while engaging with this course.))
Gratitude
This work has been informed and guided by all of the participants and clients who I’ve worked with — especially the graduates of the Catalyst Leadership Immersion and Holding Space cohorts.
My practice has been deeply inspired by the work and writings of Paolo Freire, bell hooks, adrienne maree brown, Priya Parker, Parker Palmer, Brené Brown and many others. (Check out our resource page for a list of their books — it’s on our community platform!)
To my colleague and friend Phoenix, of Phoenix Rose Designs, whose generous presence and tech support helped me usher this course from vision to reality. To Jenny Downer of She Saw Things whose loving eye and deep witnessing brings this course to life with her beautiful images. To all of the amazing featured facilitators who share their wisdom on these pages.