NVC Dance Floors
Reflections on an NVC Dance Floors Workshop
by Monica Reu, CNVC certified trainer, Romania
At the end of March 2026, in Bucharest, Romania, something quietly powerful unfolded. Over two days, 21 participants from Romania, the Netherlands, and Belgium came together under the gentle and skilful guidance of Gina Lawrie to explore what it really means to engage in challenging conversations—both within ourselves and with others.
What emerged was more than a training. It became a living, breathing community.
From the very beginning, there was a sense of openness and willingness—a shared intention to learn, to connect, and to grow. Together, we co-created a space of trust and belonging, where vulnerability was welcomed and depth was not only possible, but natural. Again and again, we witnessed how safety and structure can give rise to transformation.
We began our journey with one of the inner dances: the Anger/Shame Dance. Here, we turned inward and practiced the art of self-connection. With the support of the Dance Floors map, we learned to meet our inner dialogue with compassion rather than criticism. Participants explored how to stay present with difficult emotions and gently uncover the needs beneath them. For many, this was a profound shift—from self-judgment to self-understanding.
We then moved into the Educator/Chooser Dance – another inner process that invited us to revisit moments we label as “mistakes.” Instead of staying stuck in regret, guilt or harsh self-evaluation, we explored the needs we were trying to meet in those moments. This dance offered a powerful experience of inner mediation—between parts of ourselves that often judge each other. With clarity and compassion, we practiced transforming inner conflict into inner dialogue, opening the door to integration and learning.
The third dance we explored was the Fluency Dance, bridging the inner and outer worlds. Here, the inner work naturally extended into connection with others. Participants practiced expressing themselves honestly and offering empathy, discovering how inner clarity supports authentic and meaningful communication. These moments often carried a sense of courage—stepping into connection with greater presence and intention.
Each round of practice was followed by group reflections, where the richness of shared insights deepened the collective experience. What stood out was not only the learning itself, but the way it was held—by Gina, and by each participant. The space was marked by trust, honesty, and a willingness to be real. There were many “aha” moments, and at times, even glimpses of healing.
By the end of the two days, what had formed was more than a group—it was a connected field of shared experience. People left not only with new skills, but with a felt sense of what is possible when we meet ourselves and each other with empathy.
We are grateful for what was created together and inspired to continue this journey. There is a sense of anticipation as we look forward to diving deeper into the rich landscape of the Dance Floors in a future workshop with Gina—hopefully in 2027.
Until then, the dances continue within each of us.
