Facilitation Aikido: Channeling Resistance into Resolution

This workshop explores what happens when facilitators meet conflict the way Aikido meets attack: not with force, but with presence, listening, and redirection. Drawing from real facilitation moments and embodied Aikido principles, participants will practice how to stay grounded when emotions run high, how to work with energy instead of against it, and how to guide groups toward resolution without escalation.

No martial arts experience is required. This is not about fighting. It is about awareness, breath, posture, and choice.

What we will explore

• How resistance and confrontation show up in facilitation settings
• Why fight, flight, and over-explaining often make things worse
• Presence as a stabilizing force in tense moments
• Listening and sensing before acting
• Redirecting emotional energy into dialogue and shared meaning
• Creating space for groups to process disruption and move forward

How we will work
This is an experiential session grounded in practice. Participants will engage in:

• Simple embodied exercises inspired by Aikido principles
• Partner practices focused on grounding, listening, and responsiveness
• Guided reflection connecting physical experience to facilitation challenges
• Group dialogue using real-world facilitation scenarios

Who should attend
This workshop is for facilitators, leaders, coaches, mediators, and anyone who works with groups in moments of tension, conflict, or uncertainty. It is especially useful for those who want to expand their facilitation toolkit beyond words and techniques, and into presence, sensing, and embodied response.

At its best, facilitation, like Aikido, turns moments of potential collision into opportunities for alignment. The conflict does not disappear. It is guided toward a conclusion that preserves dignity, safety, and relationship.

Come prepared to reflect deeply and practice meeting resistance with calm, clarity, and care.

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NOVA Scribes has entered into a partnership with the IFVP: the International Forum of Visual Practitioners! This workshop is an IFVP Learning Lab. All IFVP members have access to Learning Labs at https://ifvpforum.circle.so/c/learning-hub/

This workshop will be recorded and posted on YouTube for anyone who cannot attend. You can find the YouTube link in the Comments section of this NOVA Scribes Meetup event once the workshop video has been uploaded to YouTube.
You can find previously recorded videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJfInZHmS8prj2_DUaJ35CYY8n7SzoPMJ

We’re not charging for this workshop, but we will be asking for donations! Donations cover the costs of hosting events on Meetup, to honorariums for new graphic recorders, and scholarships.

Please be sure you are registered on Meetup! If your Zoom name doesn’t match your name on Meetup, you will not be admitted. (We’ve had Zoom bombers.)