Circling & Authentic Relating Immersion
Vancouver, BC | Nov 4-5, 10AM-6PM
Private Residence in Fairview | 15 people max
In a Nutshell:
Join us for a full weekend of Circling! We will also use some Authentic Relating to build a foundation for a skillful Circling practice. Expect a deep dive in authentic human connection with beautiful humans taking steps towards becoming conscious communication ninjas.
What is Authentic Relating?
Authentic Relating, put simply, is a practice of being you. Being real, honest, revealed, and transparent, allowing others to see, hear, and know our inner world. We will be playing AR games designed to deepen your connection with yourself and others, in an environment where it’s encouraged to express how you really feel. Authentic Relating is a growing movement with communities around the world gathering to connect and enrich the human experience.
What is Circling?
If AR is practicing the punching and kicking moves, Circling is the sparring match. Circling is a relational meditation in which participants share their sensations, emotions, and thoughts in the present moment while in connection with each other. Two common types of Circles are a “focused circle” where one person is the centre of attention for up to an hour, revealing their present moment experience in connection with the group that is exploring their world, and “organic circles” where there is no focus person as attention moves around organically as people reveal themselves and follow their curiosity. This is a strong practice for deepening intimacy, uncovering relational blindspots, and leveling up EQ/communication skills.
What people are saying…
“My first Circling Immersion was the most potent experience of my adult life. I felt supported showing up in a deep honesty and transparency that I did not know I was capable of. The integration of this experience continues to ripple through all my human connections.”
- Allistair Dell
"My circling immersion experience with Garrett was a worthwhile opportunity to practice and deepen fundamental relational skills that underpin my life. Every time I invest my time in this container, I walk away feeling profoundly connected and better resourced to step into everyday intimacy."
- Patricia Parkinson
“My first contact with circling was at a weekend immersion hosted by Garrett Rokosh and Robbie stainton. I had a wonderful experience which would set me on a path to deepen into this practice. It was a weekend that covered the full range of human experience, from a deep sense of connection to intense discomfort. Circling is an excellent opportunity to step beyond social convention and learn more about what is actually happening, in this moment, between you and I. I would recommend this to anyone who craves a clearer lens on relational reality and would choose an uncomfortable truth over a comforting lie every time.
- Foster McGee
“Garrett creates a clear and inquisitive space. His prompts are evocative, adapted to each situation and bring a sense of ease to participate. Within it, I felt safe to share my heart's content and excited to discover deeper layers of myself.”
- Manuel Matsya
“Circling is a space where I consistently feel the most alive, honest and free. It’s a place where I can settle into the comfort of my somatic experience and feel at home in myself. At the same time, I can also choose moments to lean into the bolder edges of my authenticity and take more risks in connection with others. It is one of the few places where I feel safe enough to express dissonance and feel challenging emotions like anger in a clean and embodied way. It’s a precious tool for coming into attunement with a collective and witnessing one another in what’s present here and now.
- Andrea Wiebe
"I appreciated Garrett's focused facilitation and his ability to both hold the space of the Circle, while also revealing his own experience in a transparent and vulnerable way. I've experience facilitation with many people before, and can see that Garrett is very intentional and skilled in his ability to support people to go deep and uncover their truth."
- Leo Cheung
Facilitator Team
Garrett Rokosh he/him
Garrett’s authentic relating journey started five years ago when depressed, numb and lonely at the end of business school he found his way into a AR games night. He left that night completely blown open, glowing, with a cathartic sense that those people had got to know him deeper than any of his closest friends. He was hooked.
He devoured an online training with the author of the authentic relating games manual, Sara Ness, then flew to Austin, TX to take her advanced facilitator training which was THE most impactful week of his life. He then moved to Austin for six months to deep dive into these practices and became an apprentice leader on her core training team. Soon after, his focus turned to Circling and led trainings with other top leaders including Jason Diggs, Mark Boughton, and Peter Benjamin. He led the first Circling Immersion in Western Canada, has led ten weekend immersions since then, and mentored several people into facilitating Circling.
Aside from AR & Circling, he just finished a two year deep nature connection program with Wisdom of the Earth Wilderness School, leads a nature mentorship program for teen boys, and is now studying compassionate inquiry with Dr. Gabor Mate. His company, Social Architect brings authentic relating into the corporate world. Some of his clients include Masterclass, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Burning Man and Mindvalley.
Naomi Prema Devi she/her
Naomi Prema Devi is an International Tantra Teacher, Love & Relationships Coach who believes in creating Heaven on Earth. She is passionate about sharing Transformative, Empowering Events and Experiences that Awaken people to their True essence and create Deeper Fulfillment in Intimacy and Relationships. For over 15 years Naomi has been studying and exploring Spirituality, Tantra, New Paradigm Relating, Feminine Arts, Yoga and the Healing arts with many Master Teachers around the globe.
Some of Naomi’s Qualifications include: 500hr + Tantra & Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Tao Tantric Qi Gong Instructor, Mystical Dance Teacher and Integrated Love, Sex and Relationship Coach. Naomi currently leads events on Tantra, Yoga, Feminine empowerment and New Paradigm relating. On top of that she hosts Cacao Ceremonies that open the heart and Coaches people how to create Epic Relationships and become Empowered in Love and Sexuality.
Robbie Stainton he/him
Robbie started practicing and facilitating AR four years ago and founded what is now a thriving AR & Circling community in Victoria. He has completed level 1 & 2 trainings with ART International, led seven weekend Circling Immersions, and facilitated AR at various festivals and events around the coast. His 8-months living at a vipassana meditation centre and over 2000 hours of meditation practice have gave him groundedness and clarity of presence to hold space for others in a circling container. Through relational practices, he enjoys experiencing and sharing a more rich, transparent, uninhibited, and engaging way of connecting with others.
Location | Pricing | Schedule
Location
We are in a beautiful waterfront house in fairview, near downtown Vancouver. The address of the private residence will be emailed after registration.
Pricing
Full rate: $350
Scholarship rate: $250
Returning Circling Immersion Participant: $250
Schedule
*Note that this will change. It’s just a general idea.
Saturday, 10am-6pm
9:30-9:45: Arrival
10-11: Check-Ins + Context for weekend + Intentions
11-12:30: Circling theory + Authentic Relating Games to introduce concepts
12:30-1:30: Full group circle (layered + focus circle)
1:30-2:30: Lunch
2:30-3: Debrief + Circling theory
3-4: Focus circles (45-mins each in breakout rooms)
4-5: Focus circles (45-mins each in breakout rooms)
5-6: Self reflection + Debrief + Tomorrow's plan
Sunday, 10am-6pm
9:30-9:45: Arrival
10-10:30: Check-Ins + Context
10:30-11: Group dynamics
11-11:30: Circling theory
11:30-12:30: Organic circle
12:30-1:30: Focus circles (45-mins each in breakout rooms)
1:30-2:30 Lunch
2:30-3:30: Focus circles (45-mins each in breakout rooms)
3:30-4: Debrief + Circling theory
4-5: Triad circles
5-6: Self reflection + Debrief + Close
