Center for Story Weaving

A community building practice for teachers, facilitators, and guides

Story Weaving cultivates intimate relationship by making us a part of each other’s stories. When I originally designed this practice, it was as a community building tool. In both online classrooms and in-person retreats, I employed it as a way for people who were almost strangers to rapidly deepen their sense of interconnectedness while also cultivating the skills of deep listening and creative expression. We would meet regularly for weeks, months, or even years, and the magic of those connections never ceased to amaze me.

As I began training people to facilitate this practice, I noticed that Story Weaving could also be used as a narrative container for an event with a defined timescale, such as a retreat or a wedding or a class. In these kinds of settings, we began with Story Weaving, which helped define the group field, intention and energy. At the end, Story Weaving served as a way of harvesting and reiterating the wisdom of our shared experience.

Whereas many of our storytelling practices focus on a one way transfer or somehow suggest a separation between the storyteller and the audience, Story Weaving invites us to tell a story of many voices through the lens of our own perception. When the words and symbols and images come to us from a diverse set of sources, we can see ourselves in the stories of others and we can hear the voices of others in our own. This is the magic of Story Weaving.

"We are the weavers. We are the woven ones. We are the dreamers. We are the dream."

Lorna Kohler

Testimonials

“The practice of Story Weaving has given me an ongoing, much-needed outlet for creativity that I haven’t been able to find in my job or past schooling. I love the process from start to finish—from listening to everyone’s stories and harvesting what resonates with me, to creating my woven story, and then sharing it with everyone and listening to theirs. I love that “everything is welcome” and there is no pressure to make the woven story good or full of meaning. The practice has allowed me to be vulnerable, creative and connected to others in a new, very deeply satisfying way.”

Allison Kitzerow

Training & Certification

This comprehensive Story Weaving training teaches the core protocol, philosophy, and facilitation skills behind the practice—while cultivating the deeper attitude of openness, nonjudgment, and creative freedom that makes Story Weaving truly transformative. The certification includes self-paced written and video lessons, participation in three facilitated sessions, and a practicum of facilitating three sessions with written reflections. Most students complete the full program in about 20 hours. Upon completion, you’ll be certified as a Story Weaving Facilitator, equipped to bring this practice into any setting where it can support meaningful reflection, connection, and positive change. No prerequisites required, and your certificate will be mailed within two months.