14-19 December 2026
THE CIRCLE KEEPER
Men’s Circle Facilitator Training
A five-day immersive training for men who feel called to confidently create and lead men's circles.
Every men's circle begins with one man willing to hold a safe space for honesty. He doesn't need to have all the answers, but he needs the presence, awareness and skill to help others feel seen, heard and respected. That is the role of the Circle Keeper.
This five-day immersive training is for men who feel called to confidently create and lead authentic men's circles. Through practical experience, feedback and guided practice, you'll learn how to build trust, foster psychological safety, ask meaningful questions, navigate challenging moments and hold space with integrity.
More than learning facilitation techniques, you'll develop the qualities that make others feel safe to show up as they are. Throughout the training you'll observe, practise and gradually step into the facilitator's role, supported by experienced guidance and genuine brotherhood.
Whether you want to start a community men's circle, bring this work into your profession or simply become a more grounded leader, The Circle Keeper provides the foundation to hold meaningful spaces with confidence, clarity and authenticity.
“I had participated in men's circles where the focus was simply sharing. When I joined this course, I expected something similar, but it exceeded all my expectations. The training provides us with several tools to reflect and grow as human beings.”
Paulo A.
Become the man who can hold the space.
Training Experience
Learn through practice - exercises, role-play and facilitated group work.
Develop your facilitator presence - deepen your listening, communication, emotional awareness and ability to stay grounded.
Explore real-world challenges - group dynamics, conflict, emotional intensity, boundaries, ethics and unexpected situations.
Receive meaningful feedback - learn through observation, reflection and honest feedback from facilitator and fellow participants.
Step into leadership - progressively move from participant to facilitator, culminating in your own facilitated men's circle.
Build brotherhood - shared experiences, conversations and time together create a deeper layer of learning beyond the formal training.
Who Is This Training For?
The Circle Keeper is for men who feel called to bring others together through honest conversation, meaningful connection and authentic leadership. You don't need previous facilitation experience, only a genuine willingness to learn, practise and grow. This training is for you if you want to:
Start and facilitate your own men's circle.
Deepen your facilitation and leadership skills.
Integrate circle work into your coaching, therapy or men's work.
Lead with greater presence, integrity and psychological safety.
Create spaces where men can connect with honesty and trust.
Facilitator
Gonçalo Luz is a yoga teacher and facilitator of experiential workshops exploring connection, intimacy, embodiment and personal growth. Drawing from years of facilitating men’s work, intimacy, body work and traditional hatha yoga, he combines embodied practices, reflection, dialogue and practical exploration to create spaces where participants can move beyond concepts and experience meaningful change in themselves and their relationships.
Have a question?
What You Will Leave With
Circle Keeper Facilitator Handbook
Men's Circle template and planning guide
Opening and closing script
A library of 25 facilitation prompts to get you started.
Group agreements template
Practical tools for navigating difficult situations
Ethical facilitation and boundaries guide
A complete blueprint for launching your own men's circle
The confidence and practical experience to begin facilitating within your own community
Ready to lead with greater presence, confidence and integrity?
Training dates
December 14-19 2026
Training Structure
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Today we gather briefly in the afternoon for registration, practicalities and opening circle.
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You begin by understanding the deeper purpose of men's work and the unique role of the facilitator. Together, we'll establish the principles that make circles safe, meaningful and transformative while exploring the mindset, ethics and presence required to lead with integrity. Topics include:
The Philosophy of Men's Work
The Role of the Circle Keeper
Leadership Through Service
Psychological Safety
Confidentiality & Group Agreements
Presence Over Performance
Foundations of Circle Design
Opening and Closing Rituals
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With the foundations established, you'll begin developing the practical skills every facilitator needs. Through demonstrations, guided practice and experiential exercises, you'll learn how to create meaningful conversations while staying grounded in the moment. Topics include:
Deep Listening
Emotional Literacy
Powerful Questions
Somatic Awareness & Embodiment
Working with Silence
Reading Group Energy
Encouraging Authentic Participation
Managing Different Personalities
Facilitator Presence Under Pressure
Practice Circles
Feedback & Reflection
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No two circles are the same. This day prepares you for the moments that cannot be scripted. You'll learn how to respond calmly and ethically when challenges arise, strengthening your confidence in handling real-world situations. Topics include:
Group Dynamics
Conflict Navigation
Trauma Awareness Within Scope
Boundaries & Ethics
Power & Responsibility
Repairing Facilitation Mistakes
Supporting Emotional Intensity
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The fifth day is the culmination of the training. Participants step fully into the role of Circle Keeper, facilitating their own circles, responding to real group dynamics and receiving detailed feedback from trainers and fellow participants. The focus is no longer on learning new concepts, but on embodying the presence, confidence and integrity required to lead meaningful men's circles. By the end of the day, each participant leaves with the practical skills and confidence to begin holding space within their own community.
Topics include:
Advanced Group Dynamics
Observation & Structured Feedback
Refining Your Facilitation Style
Leading with Presence & Integrity
Building Confidence Through Practice
Launching Your First Men's Circle
Sustaining a Healthy Men's Community
Preparing for Community Integration
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The final day bridges the training with the real world. Participants begin the morning by joining the regular Sacred Grounds Men's Circle alongside members of the wider community, experiencing firsthand what it means to step into an established circle beyond the training environment. Following the community circle, the group gathers for a guided integration process, reflecting on their journey, celebrating their growth and committing to the path ahead as Circle Keepers. The training concludes with a closing ceremony that honours the brotherhood formed and marks the beginning of each participant's ongoing leadership journey.
Topics include:
Sacred Grounds Community Men's Circle
Reflecting on the Community Experience
Guided Integration Process
Personal Leadership Reflection
Your 90-Day Action Plan
Building Accountability & Ongoing Support
Brotherhood Commitment Circle
Certificates of Completion
Closing Ceremony & Farewells
Investment
Early Bird (paid in full until October 15)
24,900 THB (645€)Regular Price (deposit optional)
30,500 THB (795€)
Accommodation
(single room with breakfast in nearby resort, Little Village Chiang Mai, optional but highly recommended)
7,500 THB (200€)
Lunch and Dinner are not included
Location
SACRED GROUNDS CNX
A peaceful workshop space surrounded by nature in Nam Phrae, Hang Dong, offering a grounded and welcoming environment for meaningful connection, reflection, and learning.
