Slow Dating

An evening of intentional connection for singles ready to meet their life partner. A NEW KIND OF DATING EXPERIENCE IS COMING TO BOULDER. In a world that keeps enticing us to go faster and faster, we can lose connection with ourselves, and then struggle to create meaningful connection with anyone else.This happens in dating, too. The dating process can feel like a race to swipe, match, message, meet, decide. What if you slowed it all down? Step into the version of yourself that is fully present for the journey toward committed life partnership during this night of vibrant, playful connection with other intentional singles. This isn't a night of sitting across from strangers and interviewing each other for the role of “potential partner.” It's a playground for connection. Dating doesn't have to feel like a job interview. Bring your authentic self, your curiosity, your playfulness. With attachment-centered warm up practices, connection stations to inspire meaningful moments, and space to share from the heart, this evening brings pleasure and possibility to our personal and collective journeys toward deep, soul-level love. Slow Dating invites you into a playful landscape of connection where you can laugh, create, flirt, explore, wonder, and have real conversations with other intentional singles. WHAT IS SLOW DATING? Slow dating is an intentional approach to kindling romantic connection where you focus on the present moment, curiosity, and emotional safety rather than feeling pressured to check off boxes, put on masks, or play a role that doesn’t fit you. This is a space for people who are genuinely interested in building a committed partnership. What slow dating actually feels like is: • less performing • less checking boxes • less trying to impress • less rushing toward a decision • more curiosity • more presence • more embodied connection • more opportunity to actually feel what it's like to be with someone Slow Dating is for you if: • You are genuinely ready to meet a life partner • You are tired of the swipe-and-scroll dating cycle • You want something more intentional than a typical singles mixer • You have tried speed dating and wished for something more human • You want to meet like-minded singles without forcing an outcome • You want to practice communication, curiosity, and connection in real time • You are willing to be present, playful, and a little bit vulnerable WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE AT SLOW DATING? You won't be thrown into a room full of strangers and left to figure it out on your own. We'll guide you through a thoughtfully designed evening that moves from arrival → warming up → playful connection → deeper exploration → closing. Through the evening, you'll: • Be guided by a trio of heart-centered intimacy facilitators • Arrive early to mix, mingle, and sip on adaptogenic elixirs • Begin with an opening circle and guided group warm-ups to help you drop into the present moment • Meet other intentional singles through facilitated connection experiences and mini "slow dates" • Explore a variety of playful connection stations designed around conversation, creativity, embodiment, curiosity, and attraction • Practice the intricacies and importance of embodied consent • Have opportunities to laugh, play, flirt, create, move, and share from the heart • Learn more about relationship styles and your own patterns of relating • Have space to follow your curiosity and attraction while also knowing that no particular outcome is expected • Gather together at the end to reflect, connect, and close the evening About the Connection Stations Throughout the evening, you'll have opportunities to explore a playful mix of conversation, creativity, embodiment, and connection. Stations may include guided conversation, values exploration, creative play, movement, eye contact, touch exploration, and other invitations to experience what it feels like to connect in the present moment with a new person. A few examples we're dreaming up: clay shaping, connection cards, playful poetry, eye contact, embodied practices, and more. The final lineup is still taking shape! FAQ’s Is this speed dating? Nope. Slow Dating is intentionally designed as an alternative to speed dating. Rather than moving through a series of rapid-fire dates and trying to decide who makes the cut, you'll have opportunities to slow down, get present, and experience genuine connection through conversation, play, creativity, and embodiment. Do I need to be looking for marriage or children? You don't need to have a specific timeline or life plan, but you should be genuinely interested in finding a committed life partner. Whether or not children or marriage are part of that vision is entirely up to you. What if I'm shy or nervous? You're in good company. You won't be expected to walk into the room and work the crowd on your own. The evening is facilitated from beginning to end, with guided warm-ups, structured connection experiences, and plenty of invitations to participate at your own pace. Will I have to touch people? No. Consent is central to this experience. Some stations may include optional invitations for embodied or touch-based connection, but you are always welcome to say no, choose another activity, or simply observe. What if I don't feel attracted to anyone? That's okay. The goal isn't to force a match. We're creating opportunities to practice being present, curious, playful, and authentic with other people, and sometimes meaningful connection is the unexpected gift. What should I wear? Come dressed for comfort, movement, and play. Wear something that makes you feel like yourself. You are invited to bring a little color, drama, or flirtation if that feels fun for you. Is this a sober event? Yes. This is an intentionally sober space designed to keep the focus on presence, connection, and the people in the room. Adaptogenic mocktails will be served. Will there be an age range? This event is 18+, and we welcome singles across the adult age spectrum. We're intentionally creating a space where people can meet across decades and learn from one another. Is this a heterosexual event? This event is designed primarily for women-seeking-men and men-seeking-women. If you are looking for a rainbow connection, please reach out to us at [email protected] as we’d love to know if there is enough interest in creating a Queer Slow Date in the future. NUTS AND BOLTS Registration: Because we're creating a room of people who are genuinely ready for partnership, all participants will complete a brief registration questionnaire before attending. Volunteer Positions: The Volunteer Application Form will be released soon! This event is for ages 18+. Past that, we welcome singles of all ages, as we are here to learn from and with each other in this slow dating process. Can't make it to this event, but want to stay in the loop about ongoing offerings to build real, transformational intimacy in your life? Join our Whatsapp Group to stay in the know about future Slow Dating events. ABOUT THE FACILITATORS Crista Reid is a somatic therapist, artist, and permission-giver. She weaves the art of communication, creative expression, sensuality, archetype, and movement as pathways to greater intimacy, desire, and inner aliveness. Crista studied somatic psychotherapy at Naropa University and has over a decade of experience leading heart-centered intimacy events. A life-long Coloradoan, she is often found meandering in the mountains with her beloved hound dog, flowing on the dance floor, or moonlighting as a typewriter poet. Dylan Jonlynn is based in Boulder, CO and online for over a decade. He is a Webster Certified Whole Family and Animal Chiropractor, a Network Spinal Analysis practitioner trained by Dr. Donny Epstein, and a teacher with the Luminous Awareness Institute.