South Bay NVC Practice Group

This is a weekly, in-person event offering the opportunity to gather and connect within a sacred container of Presence with the intention to learn and practice the skills and principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) developed by Marshall Rosenberg. No experience is required to attend but familiarity with NVC theory is very helpful to participate. Reading "Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life" by Marshall Rosenberg is highly recommended.

An offering basket is placed out to recognize and compensate the leaders for their time and skill. $20-$30 is the requested amount. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

We begin with a short meditation (approximately 7 minutes) followed by opportunities for everyone to check in and then participate in deeper work. Somatic exercises, role plays, and creative activities may be a part of the group on any night. At times we stay together as one large group and at other times we reconfigure into smaller groups.

NVC is about authenticity and sometimes authenticity is scary. Being uncomfortable is frequently a component of this work. Be prepared for this. NVC is not all rainbows and gumdrops.

We are co-facilitated by three leaders:
Katy Dawson
I have been incorporating NVC into my life as a classroom teacher and practice group leader (Including for children and parents) for 25 years. It has been a privilege and a joy to connect and contribute in ways beyond my wildest dreams. NVC is the most life-enriching process I have ever found.

Aaron DeNardo
I have over 20 years of experience playing with NVC including 10 years leading practice groups. I am a regular meditator and believe that cultivating Presence is the foundation for living a fully human life. I am actively studying the Enneagram and practicing the Diamond Approach. As I lead this group, I may dip into practices that fall outside of the what some may consider to be the traditional scope of NVC. Katy and Tam are both dear friends of mine and have some of the largest, most attuned hearts of anyone I know. Katy happens to be my primary NVC mentor. I am honored to co-lead this group with them. I enter with vigilance, curiosity, and compassion. Nosce te ipsum. The way is through.

Tamarah Kanewske
Tam here! I am feeling so excited to be facilitating an in-person practice group with my beloved Katy and Aaron. I met Katy in a vegetable garden, 23 years ago, started taking classes with her shortly after, met Aaron through her practice groups, then attended years of Aaron-led groups. I regularly practice Neuro-art and Zen-Tangling, have taken deep dives into Sarah Peyton's work, taken some classes with David Weinstock, and attended a couple IITs, one in Birmingham, Britain and one online in 2022. I have also practiced and learned from years of offerings from Santa Cruz NVC and Kristen Masters. The way we hold and store our feelings in our bodies is of particular interest to me. Presence, curiosity, and grace are some of my favorite values and a continuing practice and commitment that I work hard to show up with in life. Humor, kindness, and warmth come with much more ease.