Saying “No” with courage and care: responding to requests and demands
May 17th 2025 9.30am - 11.30am & 1pm - 3pm & May 18th 9.30am - 11.30am BST (6 hours in total)
Online. Facilitated by Cath Burke
The training will include movement to support embodiment of the processes
Would you like to find a way of saying an empowered "No" whilst maintaining your relationships with others? Would you love to have access to more choice in your life when requests or demands come your way?
Most of us have been educated to stifle our “No", believing we will hurt others or be abandoned, so we end up going along with things when we don’t really want to. Or instead bark out a "No!" like a sergeant major, even if we want to say, "Yes," had we been asked differently. Both these reactions come at a cost to our relationships.
Nonviolent Communication helps us reach beneath the surface of our "No" to discover a creative and dynamic way of responding with courage and care in any moment.
On this day you’ll be supported to take away skills to:
say “No” with courage and care
transcend reactivity and develop a sense of inner space and choice
listen to your body when experiencing resistance to what someone wants you to do
“Of all the training in which I’ve ever participated, this is up there as one of the absolute best - I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it. Everything about it was extremely helpful in enabling me to really feel able to say ‘no’ with courage and care. Three days later and I’ve already put what I’ve learnt into practice resulting in exactly the response I’d been hoping for.”
“So helpful in giving me confidence in my communication with others, and giving me practical tools to relate to others with both compassion and self-assurance. Loved it!!!” ”
50 minutes of movement and conscious dance
The second session of the training will include an invitation to explore this theme somatically in a light-hearted way through about 50 minutes of movement and dance. Yep, moving to music online: it’s surprisingly powerful, and if you’re new to ‘conscious movement’, there is the benefit of being able to try it out in the safety and comfort of your own home. Through movement we’ll play with making requests, saying and receiving “No”. This part of the training is an invitation to learn NVC through the body. If you've never tried 'conscious dance' before you are especially welcome. No experience is necessary - you cannot do it wrong! And all ages, body shapes and fitness levels are welcome too. And if you want to, you can opt out of the movement altogether or try it entirely with your camera off! Any doubts or queries email or call me for a chat.
Pre-requisite
This event is for those who want to deepen their understanding and experience of NVC in theory and practice. A pre-requisite is that you will have completed a 12 hour Level 1 Foundation training in NVC, or equivalent and want to integrate and embody NVC more fully in your life. This will ensure a common foundation for Level 2 / Intermediate engagement and practice.
“I was very nervous about combining dance with NVC, and bringing my personal practice out into a group setting. I finished the session not only feeling more confident, peaceful and alive than I could have imagined, but also with a number of useful new tools that I feel excited to use and develop further.”
“This week I said no in a situation that I would not have had the presence of mind or courage to do before the workshop. I took time to think it through, decided my needs are important right now and went back to the person to say no, and nicely.”
Location
Online on Zoom
Cost
Individual rates (if you are paying for the training from your own pocket):
If you earn less than £20,000 before tax: £85
If you earn between £20,000 - £30,000 before tax: £130
If you earn between £30,000 - £45,000 before tax: £165
If you earn more than £45,000 before tax: £220
I am willing to dialogue with you if these prices would prevent you from coming. Please contact me here.
Organisational rates (if your employer is paying for your place on the training)
Small Charity rate: £135 (If you work for a charity with fewer than 15 employees).
Public sector / Large Charity rate: £170 (If you work for a public sector organisation, such as a local council or the NHS, or a charity with more than 15 employees).
Private sector rate: £220 (If you work for a profit making company).
Concessions available: if any of the above prices would prevent you from coming, please contact me
Cancellation policy
If you cancel then I am willing to refund you in full minus a £15 administration fee as long as I can get someone to take your place.
If I’m not able to replace you then the cancellation cost is the full amount you have paid. I am open to considering waiving this fee in exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.
In the unlikely event that I cancel then I’ll refund your course fees in full, but not any travel or accommodation costs that you have incurred
London Intermediate Training Programme
This is one of 12 weekend trainings offered over the course of a year by a collaborative group of London-based CNVC Certified Trainers working together to offer you clear learning and progression options to suit you. We are committed to creating community and a supportive network for those learning, living and sharing NVC in London. Many of our trainings are currently online, so if you live outside of London, you are welcome to participate. Follow this link to discover more
Curious about Why I include movement & dance in an NVC workshop? Find out more>>>
Feedback from the dance & movement sessions:
“It was nice to do something different and more embodied.”
“Being able to practise with the body was very insightful.”
“I found some of it uncomfortable to start with and it felt easier as the session continued.”
“I enjoyed exploring the non-verbal communication that I may not have noticed before.”
More info about Open Floor Movement Practice: www.openfloor.org
Cath Burke is a qualified Open Floor Movement Practice facilitator and a member of the International Conscious Movement Teachers Association (ICMTA)