The Gentle Power of the Women's Circle: Coming Home to Yourself, Held by the Circle

Dear reader,

For years, I kept myself at a distance from others. Not consciously, but from a deep-rooted fear of rejection. It felt safer to isolate myself than to risk others seeing who I truly was and having them judge me.

During my training to become a women's circle facilitator, I encountered women's circles for the first time. And slowly, very carefully, my perspective on connection with others began to shift. Where I had previously experienced the dynamics between women mainly as a subtle battle - who is good enough, who does everything perfectly, who is seen and valued - I discovered something completely different in the circle: gentle support without expectations.

For three months, I was held by multiple women's circles. I experienced the power of these gatherings, how there was space for vulnerability among people who barely knew each other, yet received one another with open arms. What touched me most was this: there was no pressure to say the "right" thing. No fear of being misunderstood. No rush to share before I was ready. In the circle, I could discuss things I had never shared with anyone else. That vulnerability came naturally, at my own pace, when I was ready.

The circle was - and is - a place without expectations. A space where you can be yourself, regardless of your age, your background, your opinions, or what you do in life. That is the power I have experienced myself, and which I now want to share with others.

What is a Women's Circle?

A women's circle is more than a gathering - it's a sacred space, a place where women come together to share, listen, and support each other. The circle is round because everyone is equal. There is no beginning and no end, no leader who knows better. You don't have to perform; your presence alone is enough.

These circles are for all women and people who feel connected to the feminine energy within themselves - regardless of age, background, or where you're at in your life. Being a woman goes beyond just the physical; it also encompasses the energetic and mental qualities we have and challenges we experience. Perhaps you recognize it: always caring for others while forgetting yourself. Or being stuck in a situation where you can't listen to what your body is telling you. Maybe you experience menstrual complaints, navigate perimenopause or menopause - topics we can explore during the circles - or you simply feel a deep need for connection - with yourself and with other women.

Whatever you bring to the circle, you are welcome exactly as you are.

art by: kenzistudioco

The Eight Pillars of My Circles

Each women's circle I facilitate is built on eight fundamental principles that together form the foundation for safety, trust, and transformation. I want to honor my teacher Usha Anandi, who generously shared these principles with me. She received several of them from her own teachers, and in this way, ancient wisdom continues to flow from heart to heart, from teacher to student, keeping this sacred lineage alive. At the beginning of the circle, I ask all participants if they agree to the following building blocks to create a sense of mutual trust and respect:

1. Welcome - You are welcome as you are, with everything you feel and experience. No masks, no perfection, just you.

2. Confidentiality - What is shared in the circle stays in the circle. This sacred agreement creates the safe space where vulnerability can flourish.

3. Choice - Everything is voluntary, nothing is mandatory. You decide what you share, how you participate, and where your boundaries lie.

4. Pause - There is always space for reflection and you can take a pause for yourself at any moment. We respect your rhythm.

5. Self-care - You are invited to listen to your personal needs and act accordingly.

6. Mutual support - We give and receive support from each other, not from a place of 'fixing' but from pure love and acceptance.

7. Brief eye contact - We can connect through gentle moments of gaze, which reach deeper than words.

8. No coaching - We listen to each other with our hearts and don't give unsolicited advice. Your experience is allowed to be without needing to be 'solved.'

Where Magic Happens

A circle related to a specific theme can bring so much warmth, recognition, and connection. I've seen women light up when they realize: "I'm not the only one experiencing this." That relief, that acknowledgment - that's where true healing takes place.

All challenges are welcome in the circle, both physical and mental. Whether it concerns:

• Feelings of isolation in a busy world

• Searching for your authentic voice

• The challenges of transitions and changes

• The complexity of your menstrual cycle

• The uncertainty of perimenopause

• The changes of menopause

What Makes My Circles Special

My women's circles are distinguished by the unique combination of different wisdom traditions and modern insights:

-Trauma-informed approach - From my training as a trauma-informed yoga teacher, I facilitate the circle with extra attention to safety and nervous system regulation.

-Regulating work for the nervous system - We often begin with gentle exercises that help you truly arrive with yourself and other women.

-Wisdom from yoga, Ayurveda, and TCM - Ancient traditions offer us timeless insights about the cyclical nature of womanhood and how we can live in harmony with our natural rhythms.

-Seasonal wisdom - Each season brings its own energy and lessons. We attune to what nature teaches us about softening, growing, blooming, and resting.

When Might You Especially Benefit from a Women's Circle?

While women can benefit from a women's circle at any point in their lives, it can feel especially supportive when you:

• Are dealing with transitions or changes - Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual

• Are looking for grounding and an anchor - A sense of connection with yourself

• Need more connection with others - Instead of feeling you have to 'fight against' other women, celebrating and supporting each other

• Feel alone in your experiences - And long for recognition and understanding

A Personal Invitation

I'm also planning to offer circles in English if there's enough interest, especially online circles, which are wonderfully convenient because you can join from the comfort of your own space, without travel time, and at an attractive price. This makes it easier to participate regularly and connect with women from different places.

What Can You Expect?

Perhaps you recognize the longing for genuine connection. A place where you can be yourself, where you're heard without judgment, where vulnerability isn't weakness but can actually give strength.

The women's circle is not a miracle cure or quick fix, but it is a space where you can experience what happens when women support each other instead of competing. A place without pressure or expectations, where you can get to know yourself again - at your own pace.

You are warmly welcome to become part of this circle. If you're interested in joining an English-language women's circle, whether in person or online, please reach out via info@studiotreeoflife.nl or keep an eye on the website and my social media  for updates!

Final Thoughts

I know how vulnerable it can feel to participate in such a circle for the first time. I still remember that first time I arrived myself, with a pounding heart and not knowing what to expect. But what I found there has given me so much: more confidence in myself and a deeper appreciation for the women around me. By listening to their personal challenges - challenges that are often so collectively recognizable - I discovered that it's truly possible to connect with like-minded souls. And that feels incredibly enriching.

With warm regards,

Manoek - Studio Tree Of Life