Episode 74: Holding Space with Laura Yates

If you lead meetings, workshops or gatherings for your clients, team members, or community; this episode is for you!

Laura Yates, founder of The Hummingbird Life, is a joy ambassador and mental health activist with 20 years' experience. She helps people feel empowered and supported as they overcome what’s holding them back. Like her spirit animal, the hummingbird, she encourages others to bloom and grow. Laura also founded Secret Sunrise Singapore, uplifting sunrise and sunset events that blend music, movement, and nature to celebrate connection.

Here are just a couple of tips Laura shares: 

Creating Safe and Sacred Spaces: holding space is about creating a safe container for others to express themselves. Laura shared her unique approach, which includes rituals for opening and closing gatherings, whether they are in-person or online. These rituals help establish a sense of safety and connection, allowing participants to engage more authentically. Consider how you can incorporate similar practices in your meetings or team gatherings to foster deeper connections.

Nature as a Teacher: one of the most inspiring aspects of our conversation was Laura’s perspective on nature as a powerful teacher. She highlighted how our surroundings can reflect our internal states and how connecting with nature can ground us. Whether it’s taking a moment to breathe in fresh air or simply walking barefoot on the grass, these small acts can significantly enhance our well-being and help us reconnect with ourselves and others.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! 

What’s one way you create safety and connection when leading a group, and how does nature inspire you in that?

Timestamps:

[00:01:30] Defining Holding Space
[00:02:06] Creating a Safe and Sacred Container
[00:04:12] The Importance of Preparation and Reflection
[00:05:17] Challenges in Balancing Holding Space and Self-Care
[00:09:04] Simple Rituals for Corporate Environments
[00:14:08] Signs of Neglecting Self-Care
[00:18:05] Setting Healthy Boundaries
[00:23:09] Top Tips for Holding Space for Yourself

Resources: 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@the_hummingbird_life?si=Mt_J2tXrR-JrBEvj
Meditations: https://insig.ht/Z5vH51X5rRb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=content 

Connect with Laura: 

Website: https://the-hummingbird-life.com/

Email: laura.yates@the-hummingbird-life.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-yates-hummingbird/

Instagram: @thehummingbirdlife 

Connect with Lisa: 

Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/

Email: lisa@sixcomms.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations517