The gifts of the body, grounded presence and the wider environment in focusing and listening

This module draws on a type of focusing called Wholebody Focusing (Kevin McEvenue).

In previous modules we have referred to Inner Relationship Focusing (Ann Weiser Cornell) and also Gendlin’s six steps of focusing. My intention is to give you a flavour of these different approaches and to explore how you can use them in your focusing experience.

In module 3, we will refer back to these approaches and also use the wholebody focusing process as a loose framework for our sessions. The module will explore how a more conscious inclusion of the whole body and the space around us can support and deepen our focusing process. We will also explore the themes of movement, silence and focusing in nature.

The following quote by Eugene Gendlin fits well with the essence of this module:

Your body needs the rest. Once your body is allowed to be itself, un-cramped, it has the wisdom to deal with your problems.

Course Details

  • I offer a free 20 minute Zoom call to meet me and find out about the course. Please contact me to arrange a time.
  • The course is The Gifts of the Body, Grounded Presence and the Wider Environment in Focusing and Listening
  • It is Module 3 of the British Focusing Association (BFA) Focusing Skills Course.
  • You will need to have completed Modules 1 and 2 either with myself or another BFA teacher, or had an equivalent training.
  • You will receive handouts to accompany the course
  • The course will be largely experiential with input from me, group practices, focusing partnership time and time for questions and sharing.
  • It will be a small group of maximum approximately 7 people.
  • It starts on Monday 9th September 2024 12.30 – 2.30pm (BST) for 6 weeks.
  • We will have a 10 min break in that time.
  • Cost is £180
  • Concessions and payment plans are available – please don’t hesitate to ask.

Here are two testimonials from my recent Module 1 course in November 2023:

You are a gifted, natural, supportive and gentle teacher. You help bring out our experience, offer examples, bring lightness, warmth and humor, and show us, step by step. I’ve really enjoyed the Focusing course, it’s been rich, full of compassion and just the help I was looking for.

Learning about Focusing, getting a chance to practice on the calls, the lovely people, and your gentle, warm, and encouraging facilitation and teaching. The class was everything I’d imagined it to be – a warm container of support, practical guidance and gentleness. I really loved the opening meditations you led us through – they were a lovely way to start our time together. I felt so held and could feel myself settle. I also appreciate how you responded to each person’s comments, questions, and experience. There was so much acceptance, levity and kindness in your presence. Thank you Kirsty!
- Karly Randolph-Pitman (www.growinghumankindness.com)
I really enjoyed the intro to Focusing course with Kirsty. She created such a warm and supportive environment for exploring Focusing and learning about the practice
- Focusing Course Participant (November 2023)

Registration and payment

  • I require a deposit of £40 to secure your place
  • I need the balance of £140 by Monday 2nd September 2024 please
  • This payment is generally non-refundable if I can’t fill your place.
  • However I aim to be as flexible and accommodating as possible while balancing the demands of my business. Of course, if I cancel the course for any reason, any payment will be fully refunded.
  • I will send you payment details

Contact me for more details.

What is focusing?

Focusing is a natural way of being with and listening to our bodily experiencing, to our deeper wisdom. Focusing can be used in many different situations. It’s a wonderful self-care practice, it enhances personal growth and therapeutic work of all kinds, it has been used by activists for self-care and conflict resolution, and enhances creativity.

Focusing supports us in developing a compassionate listening to our bodily felt experience. It creates a safe, non-judgemental “being with” our own experience that enables forward movement and change.

- British Focusing Association

Personally speaking, I am extremely passionate about Focusing. It has been transformative in my own life, enabling me to develop a healthier relationship to my emotions, so that I can experience them without either being cut-off from them or overwhelmed by them. It has also helped me with a deeper knowing, like an inner compass where I can sense into the heart of the matter more easily and understand myself more accurately. I also experience more strength, tenderness, empathy, resilience and joy!

I am particularly interested in the relationship between Focusing and how this helps us to be with other people, especially in parenting. Focusing has had a profoundly positive impact on my parenting. Being able to be with my own experiences including difficult and overwhelming emotions helps me to be with my children’s experiences with much more tenderness and true empathy. Focusing enables me to parent myself and all the different parts of me so that I can parent my children in the way I want to!