What are Circles?

For thousands of years, women have gathered in circles to share stories, support each other through life's transitions, and tap into collective wisdom. From ancient moon ceremonies to kitchen table conversations, the circle has always been where women come to remember who they are and find strength in community.

A women's circle is a sacred container—a safe, intentional space where women come together to witness each other's journeys, share authentically, and heal in community rather than in isolation.

What Happens in a Women's Circle

Sacred Witnessing

In circle, we practice the lost art of truly seeing and hearing each other without trying to fix, advise, or judge. When a woman shares her story—her struggles, her victories, her questions—she is met with compassionate presence, not solutions or platitudes.

Authentic Sharing

Circle creates permission to drop the masks we wear in daily life. Here, women can speak their truth about motherhood struggles, relationship challenges, career fears, body changes, and spiritual questions without fear of judgment or unsolicited advice.

Collective Wisdom

When women gather with intention, something magical happens. The wisdom of the group becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Insights emerge, patterns become clear, and healing happens through connection and understanding.

Ritual and Ceremony

Many circles incorporate gentle rituals - lighting candles, sharing gratitude, setting intentions, or releasing what no longer serves. These practices help mark sacred time and create containers for transformation.

The Allonia Rose Approach to Women's Circles

Trauma-Informed and Gentle

Our circles honor that many women carry wounds from being unheard, dismissed, or judged. We create extra safety through:

• No cross-talk or advice-giving during sharing

• Invitation-based participation - never pressure to share

• Clear boundaries around confidentiality and respect

• Gentle guidance from facilitators who've walked similar paths

Inclusive Across Generations

Unlike circles that serve only one life stage, ours welcome:

• Young women learning boundaries and self-advocacy early

• Mothers navigating the complexity of raising children while healing themselves

• Empty nesters rediscovering who they are beyond caregiving roles

• Women in transition - divorce, career changes, health challenges

• Grandmothers sharing wisdom while continuing to grow

Through our mother-daughter co-facilitation, we demonstrate that wisdom flows both ways between generations and that healing can strengthen family bonds.

Real-Time Application

Our circles aren't just theoretical discussions - they're practical experiences where women:

• Practice boundary setting in real time

• Share tools that actually work in daily life

• Support each other through current challenges

• Celebrate wins both big and small

• Learn from each other's experiences and insights

What Makes Our Circles Different

Living Demonstration

Allonia and Rose don't just teach about healthy relationships and generational healing - they model it through their authentic mother-daughter business partnership. Circle participants witness what's possible when families heal together.

Corporate Burnout Expertise

Having experienced complete burnout and recovery, our circles offer specialized support for professional women learning to:

• Set workplace boundaries without career sabotage

• Transition from corporate to authentic living

• Model healthy work-life integration for their children

• Heal from perfectionism and productivity addiction

Soft Living Philosophy

Our circles are grounded in the radical belief that:

• Rest is sacred, not earned

• Boundaries are loving, not selfish

• Softness is revolutionary in a harsh world

• Healing happens in community, not isolation

• Your worth isn't tied to your productivity or achievements

Family Systems Healing

We recognize that individual healing happens within relationships and family systems. Our circles’ address:

• How to heal while staying in a relationship with family

• Breaking generational patterns without breaking family bonds

• Modeling new ways of being for children and loved ones

• Creating authentic connections in place of performative relationships

The Science Behind Circle Healing

Nervous System Regulation

Research shows that feeling seen and heard by others activates our parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest and digest" response that enables healing to occur. Circle provides the safety our nervous systems need to move out of survival mode.

Mirror Neurons and Empathy

When we witness others' vulnerability and healing, our mirror neurons help us integrate new possibilities for ourselves. Seeing another woman set a boundary or choose herself permits us to do the same.

Oxytocin and Connection

The "love hormone" released during authentic connection reduces stress hormones and promotes feelings of safety and trust. Regular circle participation literally changes our brain chemistry in healing ways.

Collective Efficacy

Studies show that people heal faster and maintain changes longer when they have community support rather than trying to transform alone. Circle provides accountability and encouragement for sustainable growth.

Our Circle Offerings

Free Insight Timer Circles

• Sacred Sisterhood: Soft-Life Healing

• Biweekly 30-minute sessions

• Rotating topics addressing women's real challenges

• Introduction to our approach and community energy

• Gateway to deeper healing work

Soft Hearts Society™ Member Circles

• Weekly Live Streams & Monthly Deep Dives

• Ongoing relationship with consistent facilitators

• Real-time interaction and personalized support

• More profound vulnerability in a smaller, committed community

• Integration support between sessions

• Seasonal Intensive Circles

• Quarterly Deep-Dive Workshops

• 2-hour immersive experiences aligned with natural rhythms

• Specific themes like rest, creativity, boundaries, or transitions

• Smaller groups for more intimate sharing and connection

• Take-home resources for continued practice

What to Expect in Your First Circle

Before You Join

• No preparation needed - come exactly as you are

• Arrive a few minutes early for technical setup (online) or settling in

• Have water nearby and any comfort items (blanket, journal, tea)

• Set the intention to receive what you need most

Circle Structure

1. Opening ritual - candle lighting, intention setting, or grounding practice

2. Check-ins - brief sharing about current energy or needs (optional)

3. Main content - guided discussion, meditation, or healing practice

4. Integration time - processing insights and making commitments

5. Closing ritual - gratitude sharing, affirmations, or blessing circle

Circle Guidelines

• What's shared here, stays here - confidentiality is sacred

• Speak from "I" statements - share your experience, not advice

• Honor the talking piece - one woman speaks while others listen

• No cross-talk during sharing - witness without interrupting

• Pass is always an option - never pressure to participate

• All emotions welcome - tears, laughter, and anger are all sacred

Common Questions About Women's Circles

"Is this religious or spiritual?"

Our circles honor all spiritual backgrounds, as well as none. We may incorporate gentle practices, such as gratitude sharing or intention setting, but nothing that conflicts with any particular faith tradition. The "sacred" aspect refers to treating our time together and each woman's story as precious and worthy of reverence.

"What if I'm not comfortable sharing?"

Sharing is always optional. Many women prefer to listen and witness for several circles before feeling ready to share. Your presence alone contributes to the healing energy of the group.

"Is this therapy?"

Circle is not therapy, though it can be profoundly healing. We don't diagnose, treat conditions, or provide professional mental health services. We offer peer support, practical tools, and the medicine of being witnessed by women who understand similar struggles.

"What if I cry or get emotional?"

Emotions are not only welcome; they're often where the most profound healing occurs. We keep tissues handy and understand that tears are often a way for the heart to release what it's been carrying alone.

"How is this different from my book club or mom group?"

Traditional groups often focus on external topics or logistics. Circle focuses on inner experience and authentic sharing about what's really happening in our lives. The structured format and sacred container create safety for more profound vulnerability than typical social gatherings.

Join Our Circle Community

Whether you're curious about circle for the first time or you're seeking deeper community after years of individual healing work, you belong here.

Start with our free Insight Timer circles to experience our approach, then join The Soft Hearts Society™ when you're ready for ongoing support and deeper community connection.

In circle, you'll discover what women have known for millennia: we heal fastest when we heal together, wisdom emerges through witnessed storytelling, and the most revolutionary thing we can do is show up authentically for ourselves and each other.

Your circle sisters are waiting. Come home.

"In circle, we remember what we forgot in the rushing world: that our stories matter, our struggles are shared, and our healing creates ripples that transform families and communities. This is the ancient medicine our modern world desperately needs."