There are many ways to end a workshop day or a whole training event. Circles are one of the best ways with a host of different kinds of activities to do in a circle. Training for Change provides a number of them–Click here.
The simplest are one-word go-arounds–an attitude you will bring tomorrow, or something you gained or learned today.
On the spur of the moment Veronika Voloshyna created a wonderful closing circle tool based off the Christian worship practice of “passing the peace.” She had everyone cup their hands in front of them and imagine peace as nestling in our hands. How does it feel? It is so fragile and requires our care to hold it. Then she invited us to “pass the peace” to the person next to us. It was an amazingly sensual experience even with “nothing” in our hands! Very powerful and emotional.
One of our favorites is “Lift the Sky” or “Lifting the World Together.” It closes the event with a shout of joy together–very uplifting (literally!). Introduce by saying, “I have some bad news: The sky has fallen!” Be very demonstrative in your gestures and actions. Describe the sky at participants’ feet–where the sun and moon are, the stars and clouds scattered around. Describe the way the fallen sky is crushing everything. “Can we get the sky back up there?” Talk about how to lift it, that if the sky tips too much one way the sun and moon will roll off and be lost forever! And you can’t just lift it up high and let it go. Once you get it to shoulder level you have to throw it up with lots of energy and perhaps a shout so that it will stick. Don’t be the leader; let the group take the leadership. “Lift the Sky” is a wonderful note on which to end a training.
