Conscious Connections

You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and invested time & energy to doing the inner work…

If you are ready to level up the fun, then

Step into a
circle of warm, conscious people you can practice with, learn from and grow alongside.

  • practice the listening and speaking skills that will deepen your existing relationships

  • cultivate new friendships rooted in compassion & integrity.

In our skill building community, we:

Meet Your Host
Mai Chen

I am an educator, facilitator, and RYT-400 yoga instructor. With a Master’s in Education from UCI and over eight years of public-school teaching experience, I contribute to the well-being of others by creating spaces where participants feel safe to show up as they are—messy, curious, tender, and open for deeper connections.

My experiences suggest that real changes happen slowly, intentionally, with a lot of self-compassion and the support of others. I foster conscious connections by blending thoughtful group discussions with playful somatic practices to support your shift from “knowing” to “embodying.”

Commitments for

Conscious

Connections

I provide the activities, tools and the space. You are invited to practice and reflect on the 5 key skills that will elevate any existing or new connection:

  1. Taking 100% responsibility for your own feelings & actions.

  2. Listening with the intention of genuinely understanding the experience of the other person.

  3. Listening for accuracy, emotion and the deepest longing, using your whole body.

  4. Speaking your authentic experiences in a way that is unarguable (without blaming the other person), knowing that your perspective is subjective.

  5. Making clear, direct requests instead of generalized complaints.

My Approach

IN PERSON & OFFLINE
Less screen time and more human to human connection. Being in person give us features that zoom can’t provide such as side conversations and warm hugs! Well worth the drive & hassle of getting yourself dressed and ready.

SAFE & SUPPORTED
In order to create a safe and supportive space for everyone to enjoy, we will warmly hold each other accountable to participate with compassion & integrity.

PLAYFUL & FUN
Research shows that tiny enjoyable actions add up, while big forceful efforts burn out. Our workshops are highly interactive! You will spend most of the time exploring & applying the skills with a partner or in small groups.

Join our upcoming events

  • Saturday, January 24

    1:00-2:30 PM
    Yorba Linda Public Library

    Release the need to protect, project, perform and be perfect. Connect deeper with others by first connecting deeper with yourself. Practice listening to understand and open your heart up to receive and be received by others.

    Donations are Appreciated.

    Learn More

  • Saturday, February 14

    11:00 AM - 4:00PM
    Lantern Bay Park, Dana Point

    “Purposeful Playdate”
    A Heartful Experience for Lovers & Friends!

    This Valentine’s Day, deepen your relationship with fun activities that will help you communicate more skillfully and create clearer, more enjoyable commitments toward each other.

    Learn More

Is this for me?

This is for you if:

  • you are willing to learn with others in community

  • you are willing to take full responsibility for your well-being

  • you are curious in getting to know yourself more fully

  • you are ready for deeper connections

  • you are interested in aligning your IQ with your BQ (body intelligence) via movements and embodied practices.

    No prior experiences necessary.

FAQs

  • All experience levels are welcomed. No prior knowledge necessary.

    You do need a willingness to learn with others and a desire to get to know yourself more fully.

    Our space is also welcoming and inclusive of all genders & identities. All participants must be 18 and above.

  • Simply fill out the RSVP or Waitlist form to reserve your spot.

    Once a workshop is full, you will be added to the waitlist and notified if a spot becomes available.

  • Most workshops will be held at Yorba Linda Public Library. There is a large parking lot, free of charge.

    For events at other locations, there is usually free public parking otherwise noted on the event page.

  • This is a skill building community guided by experienced teacher and coach. We are not psychotherapist and this is NOT group therapy.

  • Adults 18+
    This is for you if you are:

    • interested in getting to know yourself more fully

    • wanting deeper connection

    • willing to learn with others in community

    • interested in aligning your IQ with BQ (body intelligence) via movements and embodied learning

    This is NOT for you, if

    • you would rather judge & blame others and yourself for what is wrong in your life

    • you prefer passive learning, a guru to tell you absolute truths

    • you want to do it all on your own

    • you need intense processing or trauma work

    If you are interested individual support instead of learning in group, please reach out to Mai.

  • Your open mind and heart are the most important! Any handouts or other learning materials will be provided.

    Additionally, you may find these items helpful for yourself:

    • water or snacks

    • comfortable clothing

    • writing utensils if you like to journal

  • Fill out the contact form with your questions. If applicable, please include the best times to get in touch!

  • Perhaps, you value community and relationships and it seems as though maintaining a connection requires too much effort. When you do have the energy, interactions can feel shallow, and unsatisfying.

    You are not alone in noticing this rising trend. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy suggests that the pursuit of individual success, our addictive technologies plus various other factors are eroding our sense of belonging and togetherness.

    Priya Parker and Esther Perel both joined this conversation around loneliness by adding that community is built with one small action at a time. We believe that this space is a chance for those tiny moments of connections to be made and enjoyed!

Kind Words from Kind Hearts

  • “This experience allowed me to open up in a very supportive group setting. I felt grounded-physically and mentally, which is important as I am always either on the go or thinking of what else I need to add to my checklist. I felt less stressed and anxious than usual. Instead, I was intentionally listening, holding space, and taking up space! I noticed that I am becoming a better active listener, which I think is because I have more awareness and tools from the workshop to ground myself.”

    —N. Hui, Homemaker & Software Engineer

  • “The workshop helped me feel more open to building connection —coming from someone who is more closed off. I would recommend this to those who want to connect but is met with inner-resistance or just don’t know where to start!

    — L.Nguyen (Clinical Coordinator)

  • My experience felt reflective, bonding and supportive. My group was so attentive and it was clear to me they listened with the intention to understand. There was a particular moment when we were sharing and I related to so many of their experiences (perfectionism, struggles on communication with family and spouse). This moment reminded me that we are not alone on this journey, that many others share our struggles.

    —P. Lam, High School Teacher

  • Three words to describe my experience so far are connected, open, and curious. I would recommend this experience to anyone who is open to learning about others and genuinely curious about building deeper connections. If I had to tell a friend one thing about this workshop, I’d say: do it! It’s worth exploring. The worst that can happen is realizing that everyone else is feeling many of the same things you are.

    —E. Nguyen (Clinal Coordinator)