5 Tips for Hosting Non-Verbal Circles

1. Consider participants relationship to the non-verbal activity. Most of us are accustomed to speaking in a group (even if it isn’t our favorite activity or easy for us). The context, experiences, and backgrounds of circle participants and the intent of the circle should lead and inform how you shape a non-verbal circle. For instance, children have a different relationship to silence than mental health therapists.

2. Non-verbal does not have to equal silent. “Non-verbal” circles can include music, singing, or other activities such as movement, which engage people in “non-traditional” ways of communicating.

3. Give clear instruction at the beginning. Interrupting a non-verbal circle with instruction or clarification is not the end of the world but it can disrupt the energy of the space, distract participants, and shift the intent of the circle. It is important to give clear, detailed instructions and perhaps even demonstrate what is being asked of participants on the frontend. And ensure you ask the group “What questions do you have?” before beginning.

4. Prepare to relinquish control and expectations. The beauty of non-verbal circles are the new, divergent insights, discoveries, sharings, and connections that are made when we engage the full range of creative communication capacities that we have. So, expect the unexpected!

5. Encourage reflection and embrace different experiences. Non-verbal circles are for everyone but are not experienced by everyone the same. Depending on your audience, consider including as a part of your circle, designated time for people to reflect on what their experience of the process was like.

Jamari Michael is a spiritual life coach and creative. He currently serves as a healing resident at InPower Institute in St. Louis, where he is focused on the healing of Black communities. A native of Columbus, OH, Jamari holds a M.S.W. from The Ohio State University, a B.A. in Comparative Human Development from The University of Chicago, and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Religious & Theological Studies from Chicago Theological Seminary.