The Advanced Circling Comprehensive
Circling Facilitation Group Coaching
1on1 Circling Facilitation Coaching
“I signed up for The Ownership Comprehensive in order to gain more awareness of my motives and interests, thereby communicate more clearly and confidently, and attain actual connection with others. I wanted to practice owning my experience rather than just reacting. I’ve worked with Josh before, so I knew I would get a great deal from his workshops. In the course of this training I was able to map out my experiences and apply concrete steps to guide me in the process of owning my motives. Most importantly for me, I got to practice this; I was engaged rather than this being a purely didactic course. It was well worth it.”
Svetlana, Registered Psychotherapist
“The most valuable part of the Ownership course for me was discovering the power of looking at my own judgements and what the emotions underneath were telling me. Awareness of all this allowed me to accept it all. Then I was free to choose what was really in alignment for me moving forward. Now I’m taking self-acceptance and empowerment to a whole new personal level! And I’m owning my whole self-expression even more than I thought possible. Judgements are an extremely valuable part of me owning what’s really going on for me in any given moment. That’s powerful!”
Pamela French, Co-founder, Authentic Relating Ottawa
“Even for someone like myself who is generally seen as an excellent communicator, this course opened up so much opportunity for me to learn how to deepen my connections at work, and especially with my family. I learned that by sharing more of my experience in the moment, others have an opportunity to be even more impacted by me, and to know me at a deeper level. Before starting this course, I already had high expectations because of my past experiences with Josh. These were met and exceeded. Josh’s intuition is strong and his ability to inspire deep learnings from a place of curiosity and playfulness was disarmingly effective! I think the course is excellent value and I would highly recommend to friends as a way to develop their communication and deepen connections.”
Pamela French, Co-founder, Authentic Relating Ottawa
“If you’re looking for a way to learn Circling quickly, effectively, and affordably, you’ll be amazed by the organic narrative Josh can weave across a course. With a deep understanding of both the east and west Circling philosophies, he blends a patience, presence, and poise born from years of steady practice. His guidance has me more deeply committed to this work, more deeply connected in my intimate partnership, and more deeply surrendered to truly Feeling among ever-expanding friendships. Save yourself a trip to Boulder, pause your online membership if you need, and spend a few weeks under his wing — so that you’ll come to find circles Everywhere you happen to be.”
Matthew John, author, speaker, filmmaker, composer; matthewjohn.org; @iammatthewjohn
“I had been circling for several years before taking Josh’s course, and I often found circling as quite an abstract and nebulous concept. Josh has broken down the key elements of circling and teaches them in a clear, simple, and easy-to-follow manner. I now have a firmer understanding of what circling is and how to do it, as well as increased confidence in my circling ability. The care and integrity he brings to his teaching is unparalleled. I would recommend working with him without hesitation.”
Carmen Teichgraber, Co-founder, Authentic Relating Ottawa
“My experience of working with Josh was expansive, knowledgeable and experiential. It was a great journey rich with valuable concepts, and practice. As a result of the course, I’ve experienced an evolution in my relational skills with others, and a presence and depth in my communication with those around me. Honestly, I loved it all. If you desire to learn the practice of circling, Josh is a great start as he has a level of intuition and eloquence that is easy to learn from. Even beyond the specific practice of Circling, you will be sure to gain deep and valuable relational and communication skills.”
Chelsea-Storm de Meillac, MSW, Youth therapist
“When I signed up for Josh’s Circling Level 1 Training, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was he had a lot of experience that I was eager to draw on to develop my relating skills, especially in the area of ownership.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn how to own their experience, be with what is, improve their communication in any relationship, become a facilitator, and dive deeply into the fundamental principles of Circling so that they can be practiced in everyday life.
The way Josh structured the course was progressive; everything built on itself, leading us to the empowered state of natural guidance (the final principle), where I felt I had spent enough time on each principal to practice the art of circling confidently.
The 1-page handout with each principal was a nugget of gold, the distilled essence of years of his experience that I thoroughly enjoyed incorporating not just into my body of knowledge, but into a practiced way of being in the world. Rather than focus on a “right way”, the principals allowed me to identify areas for growth, and tailor the training to my individual needs.
Josh was connected to his purpose throughout the training as he reminded us regularly to bring what we learned into the world to affect change and improve our daily lives. I think this is an integral part of growth work: practical application in the real world.
I was most surprised by the impact of Josh’s skilled feedback during our training circles. He didn’t give advice, but used curiosity, checking assumptions, mirroring, and I suppose, ultimately, his way of being, to artfully bring awareness to small tweaks I could make within my practice that made MASSIVE differences to my felt sense of connection and the I-Thou relationship.
The technical material is invaluable, clear, and highly practical. Even beyond that, what I got the most from was the way Josh led the training. I think this training is highly accessible to everyone in the way it’s laid out. I encourage anyone considering this training to take the leap, to trust, and surrender to the process.”
Brian Tohana, Coach & Facilitator
“I wasn’t really sure if I needed to sign up for another course, but I was impressed with Josh’s well-rounded credentials and experience with Circling and the Circling pioneers. Although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I intrinsically trusted Josh and sensed his sincerity and knowledge of the subject.
Looking back, it was a solid training—and I was just as impressed with Josh’s style of leadership and way of being. I learned a lot from that. The course is filled with basics as well as opportunities for advanced insights. It’s a good blend of well-structured content and curriculum as well as practice, exercises and coaching.
During the training, I had a small but profound opening in understanding how I relate to others. Something happened just enough for me to realize a beautiful window of the intimacy that was beyond what I normally experience in relational work.
I think it’s a powerful training for overall wellbeing, for those interested in not just Circling but mindfulness in communication in general.”
Marcus Fung, Regenerative Culture Artist at Rainbow Bear Healing Arts
The Advanced Circling Comprehensive
“I enjoyed many aspects of the Level 2 Training. First, Josh’s synthesis of the different schools and styles of Circling. Second, his commitment to the practice – it seemed like what we were doing mattered to him. Third, his “being in it with us”. He seemed permeable and affected by our time together, rather than a teacher who was separate from his students. I now have an increasing tolerance and respect for ambiguity, discomfort and disorder; an appreciation for Circles not fitting my pre-defined ideas of what they should look like or what their outcome should be; and more awareness of any time I’m merely tolerating some aspect of a Circle.”
Jesse Reilly, Co-founder at Brisbane Authentics
“I loved working with Josh. I think he has a beautiful Circling transmission – particularly around the essential paradoxes of: “nowhere to get but more here” and “everything is perfect, including our desire to change”. I think he embodies these qualities beautifully. I loved the Circling practice time and exploration of Circling distinctions. I particularly found it valuable to see him doing interventions while people were Circling. My own Circling definitely got better. I find myself clearer on birthday Circling and I more strongly facilitate in this context now.”
Khali Young, Leadership & Organisational Coach / Director @ Triibe.earth
Circling Facilitation Group Coaching
“This was, for me, such an incredible and valuable experience. I really appreciated Josh’s incisive attunement, and also the opportunity to circle with others in the program and get to know them and grow as a result of their perceptiveness. As a result of this program, I have more space to be myself – with myself and others, and to offer something similar when Circling – a slow, deeply attentive presence. I highly recommend doing this program with Josh.”
Svetlana, Registered Psychotherapist
(Feel free to keep reading below, as there is a lot of similarity between 1on1 and group facilitation coaching.)
1on1 Circling Facilitation Coaching
Jordan Allen, Co-founder of Circle Anywhere
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“What was most valuable was Josh’s ability to keep coming back to the present moment, staying focused on what was true for me (and him) at every step. Josh brings a welcoming presence that makes it easy to share myself with. I felt trust that I could safely share my feelings with him. He met me and my thoughts with curiosity.
I walked away with even more compassion for myself, and I have been practicing this for many years so it was great to find even more!”
Kevin O’Malley, Course Leader at The Integral Center “It was very fruitful. I gained a lot of insight. Josh’s breadth of knowledge and ability to stay both with his experience and his judgments of his experience is valuable. Josh has one of the greatest spans of knowledge in the Circling community and is one of the few people who has worked with every school of Circling. You will learn a lot.”
As a result of working with Josh, I pay more attention to that part of me that is afraid of doing it wrong. It’s super helpful to have focused attention on areas that are not normally seen in a circle, especially when you’re facilitating.”
I feel a deep sense of commitment in Josh to the art of Circling and authentic relating. I have a lot of faith in his ability to guide others into embodying more of their true selves in their relating. I feel inspired by his vision for Circling and relating as a natural expression of our true selves. Rock on brother!” |
As a result of working together, I feel more confident that I bring value. I feel capable of sitting with prospective clients, and trust that showing up as I am is enough. Josh is both sharp and compassionate, and brings a depth of conversation that will guide you to exactly where you need to go.” I’ve been much more mindful of how I’m showing up in my conversations with clients and friends as a result of our session. I feel more comfortable with my genuine curiosity. If you want no-bullshit feedback on how you’re showing up, Josh will give you that. He gives invaluable reflections on how to bring more presence and effective curiosity to your interactions.”
I now have more awareness around the ways I avoid truly being vulnerable in connection. I imagine that will eventually open new possibilities for deeper connection. If you want richer human connection in your life and want to see the ways in which you are denying yourself that, I would say get in touch with Josh!” He has eyes that see details, and the ability to report what he sees in ways that will inspire and challenge you to move forward in, exactly, the ways you want to and naturally can. From working together, I am opening up and letting go of labels and stories that limit my awareness and development of more and more skillful Circling practices and abilities.” |
Life-Coaching
“I was just starting out on a new business, and was feeling pretty lost. I had no idea where to start, and I felt mostly overwhelmed and lost in details.I found working with Josh really helpful for motivation as well as not second-guessing or under-selling myself. Josh is not so much focused on the nuts and bolts of getting things done, but more on the internal barriers that keep people from doing what they are hoping to achieve.The thing I found most valuable was to look at all parts of me as important to what I’m doing. So for example, identifying the positive role that my Self-Judge voice can play in my life and, at the same time, not letting it overpower me. I also really appreciated the support to take some risks and do things I felt afraid of.Now I’m feeling very motivated, and have made huge progress on my business. I respond much more intuitively and instinctively, and tend to follow whichever path excites me. I kind of can’t believe how quickly things are coming together, given where I was when we started!”
Brook Thorndycraft, Conflict Resolution Consultant
brookthorndycraft.com
Mark Haak, Partner & Creative Director at Swerve Design & Design for Good
swervedesign.com, designforgood.ca