Sarah Hopkins's Friends

Sarah Hopkins's Page

How did you learn about Art of Hosting (please add the date and place) and what attracted you to it?: I first heard about AoH when a friend invited me along to the 'New futures in our towns and cities' training in Petersfield (Hampshire) between the 18th-20th November 2015. It was a funded place, and was quite last minute, but I loved the sound of it and wanted to lean in to the unknown and explore what felt like an important calling question supported by an ethos and practices/processes that resonated with me.

Tell us about your experience with Art of Hosting as part of your life and work. What would you say your competence in it is? (new, starting practitioner, experienced practitioner, steward): Having attended the above initial training in November 2015, and subsequently explored some of the practices and stayed in touch with other local participants, I was asked to Apprentice at the recent Brighton Art of Hosting (1st-4th March 2017). This recent training gave me the opportunity to be part of an incredible hosting team, from whom I learnt an enormous amount. As an apprentice I felt supported to really lean in to my edges and try out new and sometimes scary roles. Being in such a skilled, kind team, I felt well held, and this enabled me to really explore and step into myself as a host, coach and space holder. Having seen and experienced the transformative effect of AoH (as a theory, set of practices and ethos/way of life), and grown in confidence personally, I am excited and enthusiastic to explore how I can further my involvement, sharing and learning within the AoH community.

What is the primary field/topic/focus in your hosting work?: Throughout the recent training I enjoyed the sharing of different roles, and experienced a variety of hosting and holding practices including Day Hosting, Space and Time holding, Coaching, and Leading sessions with support. I also spent a lot of time with participants, helping to hold some of the more personal and sensitive things that arose for people. A member of the core team described this as 'hosting from the field'; it felt like an important role and one that came naturally.

Are there interests/passions that you'd like to share?: I am passionate about helping to nurture a re-humanisation of ourselves and each other, the way we communicate with ourselves and others, and how we work together in groups and communities. At base, AoH for me is an approach to life, or a way of being, in which whatever is can be accepted, celebrated and harvested towards the betterment of ourselves, each other and the world.

At 5:12pm on March 6, 2017, Nancy Bragard said…: Hello, Sarah, and welcome to the Art of Hosting community! Glad to see you here. Post a photo when you can so we can really "see" you here. Then join in with all the conversations. You'll find plenty of resources here, too, to help you deepen your practice. And the more you add to your profile, the more the community can learn from you and share with you. We hope you will find value in exchanging in this virtual community!

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