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Elana ShyongCreative facilitator & trainer

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Notes on learning, facilitation and connection.

Practical ideas, reflections and activities from my work with groups, for anyone who teaches, leads or brings people together.

26 postsPage 1 of 3

  • A cheerful selfie of around fifteen facilitators in a café, many with their arms stretched out wide

    IAF Meetup

    What a joy to see our IAF España community grow, with 15 facilitators coming together in a cozy cafe in Barcelona, Spain yesterday! ✨ What…

    Read more: IAF Meetup
  • Illustration: a plum ribbon tied in a loose knot, with a drifting marigold ribbon and lilac paper shapes

    Letting Go of Control

    What does it feel like to hand over something you built yourself? Nearly five years ago, Phylly Jones and I started a company running after-school…

    Read more: Letting Go of Control
  • Illustration: overlapping plum, lilac and orchid paper tiles with botanical cut-outs and a marigold circle

    Weekly Recap 2.10.2026

    Weekly recap: drama, facilitation, and exciting things ahead! 🎭 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱: Using a familiar fairytale (Hansel & Gretel), we explored complex family themes…

    Read more: Weekly Recap 2.10.2026
  • Young participants lying and kneeling on a wooden floor in a circle, writing on sheets of paper while a facilitator sits among them

    Happy World Teachers Day!

    What would we be without the teachers who helped us become who we are? Today is Teachers’ Day and I would love to take a…

    Read more: Happy World Teachers Day!
  • Illustration: four nested plum and lilac arches connected by an orchid ribbon beneath a marigold circle

    Weekly Recap 9.18.2026

    Friday already! Below is my weekly recap: 🎭 Coliving Conference flights booked!: I’m really looking forward to working with the brilliant team again and to…

    Read more: Weekly Recap 9.18.2026
  • A laptop open on an email inbox, beside a large window looking out over an airport runway on a grey day

    Every Voice Matters

    How do we make sure everyone has a real chance to participate and be heard? I’m currently en route to Billund, Denmark, in London on…

    Read more: Every Voice Matters
  • Elana in sunglasses smiling in the sunshine, with a rocky green coastline and the sea behind her

    Weekly Recap 9.4.2026

    Back from August, and feeling refreshed and ready for the final quarter of the year! I really enjoyed taking a step back, resting and spending…

    Read more: Weekly Recap 9.4.2026
  • Three people standing at the front of a training room, two holding up a drawing to show the group

    Weekly Recap 7.31.2026

    𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 ✨ 🎭 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗩𝗧𝗦 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗡𝗔𝗖: Each session builds more confidence, more clarity, and a…

    Read more: Weekly Recap 7.31.2026
  • An empty meeting room with a long table, materials laid out at each seat and a large abstract painting on the wall

    Soft Skills Training This Week

    Ready for my training this week on 21st Century Skills: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration. I’ll be welcoming participants from Romania, Italia and Slovenia…

    Read more: Soft Skills Training This Week

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Ideas for bringing people together.

Every so often, I share practical activities, facilitation tips and reflections on creative, human-centred learning. Useful whether you teach, lead or bring groups together.

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