Holding Space with Grace: The Art of Deep Focus in Coaching

I’ve been thinking about the word tightrope dancer. In fact, I was thinking about the German word: Seiltänzerin.

The English term I knew was tightrope walker, but the image that comes to mind with that is usually a man. In contrast, when I think of the German word Seiltänzerin, I picture a woman balancing with deep focus on a rope, watched by others—not in a circus-like way, but in a way that connects to how I sometimes feel in a coaching conversation.

I have long been interested in analogies between dancing and coaching or reflective practice. I guess, for me, the possibility of getting into a flow state whilst dancing is the main similarity. There are so many analogies that come to mind. This time, it was the tightrope dancer. I couldn’t find an image of a tightrope walker, but this dancer, getting ready to go on stage, might capture the idea.

A tightrope dancer moves with graceful elegance across the taut rope. Her steps are careful, almost floating, as she maintains her balance with outstretched arms. Her posture is upright, every muscle tense, ready to adjust to even the slightest movement.

It’s not the act of tightrope walking itself that resonates with me but rather the deep focus it requires. To stay on the rope, you need absolute concentration and a clear mind—just like in coaching. It’s not about searching for the right question or trying to help in a conventional sense. It’s about letting go of my own agenda and being fully present so the client has space to think.

That balance between focus and clarity is what allows us to be the best coaches for our clients. And maybe, in those moments, we are all tightrope dancers.

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If you’re feeling stuck in your current situation and would value support in moving forward, I’d love to help. As a coach, I work with people who are ready to break through that sense of stuckness and create real momentum. If you’re curious whether I might be the right coach for you, we can explore this in a free chemistry session. Feel free to get in touch!