Automation

Most language exchanges are built around **movement**. —fast rotations, brief chats, surface-level conversation. New table. New person. Start again. It feels productive. It isn’t. Real conversations don’t happen in 10 minutes. They start there. Then they get interesting. At Flip Lingoes, **you stay.** Same table. Same group. Enough time for real conversation and real connection, beyond the surface level. Every 5 minutes, you switch roles: **fluent speaker ↔ learner**, not people. Before you arrive, **[create a profile here](https://www.fliplingoes.com/language-exchange-dublin/)**[,](https://www.fliplingoes.com/language-exchange-dublin/) tell us what language you're learning. This helps our **automated matching algorithm** put you in the right small group. No awkward searching. No guesswork. Simply scan the QR code on arrival and it automatically matches you with fluent speakers of your target language. We host events at Zanzibar Locke: calm, well-designed, easy to hear, easy to focus. *** **Event Flow** 6:45–7:15 → Seamless check-in (QR code, get matched, sit down) 7:15–8:30 → Language Exchange (structured, focused) 8:30 → Optional social + snacks included **Crispy chicken wings. Cheesy loaded nachos.** Straight from Zanzibar Locke’s kitchen. Perfect for chatting, relaxing, and refueling after a great language session. **Entry:** €8 (tasty snacks included) **Bundles:** 4 events €24 \| 10 events €50\, purchase [here](https://www.fliplingoes.com/language-exchange-dublin/?pricing_filter=in_person#bundles-section) in advance for express check in. Save time and money. **Be generous and invite a friend for free:** It's simple. Create a profile [here](https://www.fliplingoes.com/language-exchange-dublin/), log in, and click “**Invite Friend** to sign up.” It generates a link and you send that to them. Easy and your friend will thank you later ;) If they register for the event before you, you both get free entry.🙌 \*P.S We ask if you consider to buy a drink at the bar upon arrival and support their venue and excellent hospitality in the heart of Dublin. *** **Why Flip Lingoes works:** * Go deeper: longer conversations at the same table * Speak with the right people via automated matching * Smooth, calm, focused environment * Fun social finish If you’re tired of restarting conversations and want to **actually speak beyond the greeting and small talk**, this is your place. [Flip Lingoes](https://www.fliplingoes.com) is a new and innovative language exchange event, with a clear vision: **To upgrade language exchange events online and in cities around the world.** Currently in Dublin, Zurich and Online. **Can you guess our next city?** **Flip into our world:** **[On Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fliplingoes/)** **[Sign up to FlipLingoes.Com](https://www.fliplingoes.com/language-exchange-dublin/)** ***

Our May book will be All Systems Red by Martha Wells, first book in the Murderbots Series. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32758901-all-systems-red

There are many resources available for guidance on how to write code that is efficient and results in more sustainable software applications, but applying these at scale can be challenging, and often isn’t a priority for busy teams. GitHub have recently released Agentic Workflows, a way of specifying automation tasks in human-readable format to be performed by an AI agent as part of a GitHub Actions workflow. In this talk, Max Mizzi from GitHub's Sustainability team gives an overview of Agentic Workflows, and will demonstrate how they can be used to improve software efficiency through both structured green software rules and autonomous performance engineering. He'll finish by walking through a real-world use-case showing how the technology helped to dramatically reduce the energy consumption - and carbon footprint - of a major website. Come along if you want to learn more about using AI to improve the energy efficiency of your software. Check out the Green Software Brighton [website](https://greensoftwarebrighton.co.uk/) for links to previous talks. Arrive from 18:00 for pizza and drinks. Event will start at 18:30. We always head for a drink and a chat locally afterwards too. --- ***Thank you to Runway East for use of their space to host our events and to Silicon Brighton and the Green Software Foundation for supporting us.***

Join us for a lovely evening of music and song in a relaxed, supportive space. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, all levels of musicians and singers are very welcome. We are adding a few sing along songs to our Wednesdays session. You will still get the opportunity to sing as usual we are just adding some sing along songs to add something new to the session. see comment section below for the sing along song list. ​Performers: Space is limited to 10 performers to ensure everyone gets their time in the spotlight. Please secure your spot by booking through the app! ​Listeners: If performance spots are full, we’d still love for you to come along, listen, and soak up the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful way to build confidence and get a feel for the session. ​The Details: There is a small €2 kitty fee. As the venue hosts us for free, we kindly ask that you support the bar by purchasing a drink or two. ​A Note on Parking: The car park directly outside is convenient but strictly monitored, so please double-check the rates to avoid a €125 unclamping fee! For a stress-free evening, there are several other parking options within a 5-minute walk, including the Tesco car park (which is usually free after 6:30 PM, but do check the signs!).

Get over the mid week slump and come down to meet some new faces and relax. We try and go to a different bar every week and you can join us anytime after 18:30. **How to find the group?** \*We have an area reserved just for us so if you are new and unsure please ask any of the bar staff for the area reserved under the organisers name or if completely lost on the night please contact the event host and they'll come and find you. **How does it work?** \*After finding the group either the organiser will approach you and ask if you are looking for the meetup or you can just ask anyone "Is this the meetup?" and normally that is a great conversation opener to join the group. After that it's up to you what you make of the event. That is pretty much it. Easy right? We normally encourage people to stand as it's much easier to mingle that way. **Nervous about coming to the event?** \*While it's quite intimidating meeting a bunch of strangers from the internet we are a very welcoming group. We normally look out for new people and remember that everyone in the group has been new in the group at one point. If are you'd like extra help just contact the event host on the night. **Interested in helping out?** \*Let me (Éamonn) know as it would be greatly appreciated. **Something happened?** \*Please report it to the organiser as we cannot do anything to prevent it from happening again if we don't know about it. Even if it's something small please let the organiser know as they are probably unaware. We aim to have the location up by Monday afternoon before the event. The bars we go to are all based in the city centre. **See you on Wednesday!**

***[Save 50% getting a ticket in advance (only first 20 people)](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/social-language-exchange-tickets-1985534555304?discount=EarlyBirdsMeetup&keep_tld=true)*** **✨ Dynamic Conversations** Enjoy small-group conversations (2–3 people per table) at dedicated language tables. There will always be **English-only tables**, and every attendee rotates through these tables during the **first and last rotation**. **🏷️ Language Stickers on Arrival** As soon as you arrive, you’ll receive: • **Native language stickers** (with flags + “native”) • **Practicing language stickers** (with flags + “practicing”) You may choose multiple practicing languages. These stickers help you join the right tables and connect with people who match your goals. **🔄 Rotations Every 30 Minutes** Every 30 minutes, the organizer rearranges groups based on preferred languages. We aim for **bilingual tables**, ideally with at least one native or advanced speaker. If no native speakers are available, we can still create a table as long as **two people want to practice the same language**. **🌍 Popular Languages** English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and any other language requested by at least two attendees. **📈 All Levels Welcome** Beginner or advanced—everyone is welcome. The only requirement is enthusiasm and willingness to communicate. **🃏 Conversation Cards + Complimentary Fries** Need inspiration? Conversation cards are available at every table. Enjoy complimentary **fries around 8:00 PM**. **💸 Pay-as-you-go (Cash / Card)** • €6 General Admission • €5 Students • €4 per person when you bring friends **⭐ Loyalty Card (Automatically Activated)** Attend **4 Language Exchanges or International Meetups**, and your **5th event is FREE**. **💳 [Membership Options (Save € & unlock perks)](https://buymeacoffee.com/newindublin)** **🟡 Regular Membership (€12/mo)** ✔ Free: Singles, Language Exchange, International Meetup ✔ –50%: Quizzes, Big Singles, Theme Party, Cultural Mix, Social Games, Music Challenge ✔ Extra perks **🔵 Theme Membership (€15/mo)** ✔ Free: Quizzes, Big Singles, Theme Party, Cultural Mix, Social Games, Music Challenge ✔ –50%: Singles, Language Exchange, International Meetup ✔ Extra Perks **🟣 Complete Membership (€20/mo)** ✔ Free access to ALL events ✔ Extra Perks **📱 Stay Connected** 🔗 **[Linktree](https://linktr.ee/newindublin)**[ ](https://linktr.ee/newindublin)– full weekly calendar 💬 **[WhatsApp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L8IcUuQzHVVLGaoUZ8ONRt)**[ ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L8IcUuQzHVVLGaoUZ8ONRt)– reminders & updates 📘 **[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/newindublinmeetup)**[ ](https://www.facebook.com/newindublinmeetup)– photos & highlights 📸 **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newindublinmeetups/)**[ ](https://www.instagram.com/newindublinmeetups/)– stories & behind-the-scenes 🌐 **[Website](https://newindublin.net/)**[ ](https://newindublin.net/)– all information about our events **🎉 Join Us!** A fun, relaxed evening full of languages, new people, and confidence-building conversations. **RSVP now! 🚀**

IFSC Toastmasters will hold its next meeting on Weds 20th May at 6.30pm. It will take place in the CIE Boardroom in Connolly Station, North Dock, Dublin 1. Please ensure that you are up on the Station Concourse outside Tom Stanley newsagents by 6:15pm sharp as late arrivals will not be permitted access. [Connelly Station Concourse Locator](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ew5HA8BxgfoFyHm28) (Eircode: D01V6V6) [Meeting Point Picture](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bKQNl_6wEXY6WrcbKBfYsqbY1nkqnhHo/view?usp=drive_link) You can expect to receive a warm welcome and experience the different ways we help our members and guests achieve their public speaking goals. Our meetings have a variety of speaking opportunities ranging from spontaneous topic discussions to prepared speeches and more formal roles. You can sit back and absorb the meeting or get involved a little and introduce yourself. Either way you can be assured of a fun and interesting evening of personal development. We really hope to see you there!

We've survived the Winter, and are looking forward to a busy Summer! To kick things off we're partnering with **MongoDB** to bring you our latest Meetup. We'll be hosted by **MongoDB** in their Dublin office on **Thursday 21st May from 6:00pm** and we'll have two speakers for you that evening. **MongoDB** need very little in the way of introduction, they've a strong presence here in the Irish tech scene and are big supporters of other communities we're all part of. We're delighted to have finally made that connection now ourselves here at Go Ireland and look forward to what's to come over the next few years together. We've got two speakers for you for this Meetup, the first is a Go Ireland regular Dmytro Lahoza, and the second is MongoDB's own Andrei Matei who'll be coming over from Manchester to join us on the night. **"MongoDB × Go: Inside the Ecosystem and How It Runs at Scale" with Andrei Matei - Software Engineer at MongoDB** **"Plugins Without Borders: A Language-Agnostic Plugin System for Go and Beyond"** **with Dmytro Lahoza - Software Engineer at Verda** Big thanks again to **MongoDB** who'll be supporting us for this entire event. As always, you'll be fed, watered, and we'll head to a pub nearby after the event to keep the conversations going. We've also got a new home on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-ire), going forward this will be the best place to find updates.

**We are trying out a new venue. Please allow for adjustments on the day as we settle** New people who know nothing about Linux are welcome and encouraged to attend, please don't be shy. If you are new please feel free to approach one of the organisers, and we'd be only happy to help explain things as best as we can, we honestly don't mind and don't judge. We were new once ourselves :) Please note that in general, these are adult friendly meetups, therefore, we are not responsible for those under 18 in attendance. We may have events targeted at children in the future. As with any Meetup, please try to stick to your RSVP or change it to No if you can't come.

**📚 Join us for a special evening with Meena Kandasamy** as we celebrate her powerful new novel, *[Fieldwork as a Sex Object](https://www.waterstones.com/book/fieldwork-as-a-sex-object/meena-kandasamy/9781840919448)* — an incendiary and fearless work exploring deepfakes, online misogyny, political violence, race, and the chaos of digital life. Set between London and India, the novel follows a young woman whose life spirals after a deepfake video of her goes viral, opening urgent conversations around feminism, surveillance, shame, and resistance in the internet age. The Irish launch of the book will take place at The Bread and Roses Festival 2026, and we highly recommend attending the festival on 22nd and 23rd May — [tickets are still available](https://projectartscentre.ie/events/bread-and-roses-festival/)! [Meena Kandasamy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meena_Kandasamy) is one of the most [vital literary and political voices writing today](https://www.kandasamy.co.uk/) — a poet, novelist, translator, actor, and anti-caste activist whose work spans fiction, memoir, poetry, and essays. Her acclaimed books include *[When I Hit You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_I_Hit_You:_Or,_A_Portrait_of_the_Writer_as_a_Young_Wife)*, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize, *The Gypsy Goddess*, *Exquisite Cadavers*, and the poetry collections *Ms Militancy* and *Tomorrow Someone Will Arrest You*. **Her translation of Salma's Novel Women Dreaming / Lux and was nominated for [Dublin Literary Award in 2022](https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/the-library/books/women-dreaming/). I**n 2022, she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL). The same year, in November, she was also awarded the PEN Hermann Kesten Prize for her writing and work as a ‘fearless fighter for democracy, human rights and the free word.’ During the event, Meena Kandasamy will read from her work (around 3:30 PM), followed by an open and informal conversation with attendees about books, contemporary literature, activism, feminism, politics, and creative practice. This is a casual, warm conversation-style gathering similar to Books & Social, where everyone is welcome to participate, listen, and connect. Whether you are a long-time reader of her work or discovering her writing for the first time, we warmly invite you to join us for an evening of conversation, ideas, and community. See you all on Sunday! ✨

Speaker: Neill Sweeney I will look back at a project I worked on a decade ago. I will outline the business problem, how I approached it and how it went live. Stochastic gradient method, discrete choice model, significance testing and purchasing power parity will be mentioned.

**Release +Reset + Rise Experience** Experience the integration of breathwork, bodywork, energy, and dance in our immersive events. Step into a space where reset meets empowerment. Release + Reset + Rise is not a class. It's a full-body initiation into clarity, strength, and power. LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE. THIS IS A PAID EVENT[ PLEASE BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE](https://www.releaseandreset.com/event-details/reset-release-rise-experience-dublin-2) **What Makes This Experience Unique** Wireless headphones create an immersive soundscape that cuts through noise and drops you straight into your body. Every track is intentional, moving energy, awakening emotion, amplifying presence. **The Journey** Across three immersive hours, you will move through: * **Guided Breathwork** — calm the mind, awaken life force, drop into deep presence. * **Somatic Movement & Bodywork** — release blockages and reconnect with your body’s intelligence. * **Immersive Sound Journey** — curated soundscape in wireless headphones for full-body release and embodiment. * **Energy Activation Practices** — awaken your inner power, open your heart, elevate your state. * **Dance & Free Movement** — liberate your expression, shake off stagnant energy, feel fully alive. * **Integration & Grounding** — lock the shift into your system, anchor the reset, and carry it into daily life. This is a full-spectrum reset — a space to breathe, move, release, and come home to yourself. LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE. THIS IS A PAID EVENT [PLEASE BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE](https://www.releaseandreset.com/event-details/reset-release-rise-experience-dublin-2) [Follow us on Instagram HERE](https://www.instagram.com/release_and_reset/) **The Shifts You May Notice** * Emotional release that dissolves old weight * Nervous system reset into deep calm and stability * Clear mind, anchored mood, vibrant energy flow * Breakthroughs as profound as psychedelic states — without substances * Expanded capacity for joy, intimacy, sensual aliveness, and creative expression * Anchored confidence, embodied self-trust, untouchable strength **Who This Is For** This experience is for you if… * You feel stuck in your head and long to feel grounded, alive, and at home in your body. * You crave more than a workout or wellness class — you want transformation. * You’re ready to reset your nervous system and rise into your full energy. Whether you’re new to somatic practices or already deep on your path, this journey meets you where you are and lifts you higher. LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE. THIS IS A PAID EVENT [PLEASE BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE](https://www.releaseandreset.com/event-details/reset-release-rise-experience-dublin-2) **What’s Included** * 3-hour guided immersion (breathwork, bodywork, energy, sound, dance) * Integration guide + reflection prompts * Take-home practices to anchor the reset **Event Details** **Time & Location** 23 May 2026 \| 17:00 – 20:00 Yoga Lab Dublin \| 1st Floor\, 28 Corrig Rd\, Sandyford, Dublin, D18 V274 [JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP TO GET SPECIAL DISCOUNTS](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BnkkS9W0ZUSAOKsjwKyH2p?mode=hqrt1) [Follow us on Instagram HERE](https://www.instagram.com/release_and_reset/) If you have any questions please contact us at **[carmen@releaseandreset.com](http://carmen@releaseandreset.com/)**

**ProductTank NoVA is back!** After a brief hiatus, we are relaunching the chapter with a format that cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the reality of building. Every product feed is flooded with AI hype right now, but what does it actually look like on the ground? Instead of a polished keynote, we are hosting **0 to 1 with AI: Real Product Talks**—a "Show & Tell" featuring 3–4 lightning talks focused on the intersection of AI and product. The framing for the talks is simple: *"Here is what I'm building, and here is what I'm stuck on."* We want to look at the messy, 0-to-1 reality of integrating AI into your workflows and products. *(Want to share what you are working on? Reach out! The bar is low-pressure, just 10–12 minutes to talk about a real AI problem you are trying to solve.)* **Agenda:** * **5:30 PM - 6:00 PM:** Doors open, networking, & name tags * **6:00 PM - 6:10 PM:** Welcome + Chapter Relaunch Intro * **6:10 PM - 7:30 PM:** Lightning Talks (Three 12-min talks + 5 mins Q&A each, with a 5-min stretch break) * **7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:** Open networking * **8:00 PM:** Soft close **Location & Logistics:** Herndon Fortnightly Library (Extended Hours Meeting Room) 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170 * **Parking:** We'll meet at the library, located just behind the Herndon Municipal Center. There is plenty of free public parking available around the municipal center. * **Metro & Bus:** Take the Silver Line to Herndon Metro Station, then connect via Fairfax Connector Route 921 or 950 to Historic Downtown Herndon. * **Driving (via VA-267/Dulles Toll Rd):** Take Exit 10 North (Centreville Rd, which becomes Elden St). Turn left onto Station St or Lynn St. * **Driving (via VA-286/Fairfax Co Pkwy):** Take the Elden St West exit. Turn right onto Lynn St. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting back to building!

Our first Technoverts meetup had a great turnout, so we're doing it again, this time with an optional conversation theme: **How people are actually using AI in everyday work and life**. This is not a panel or presentation, and I do not have a fixed agenda, it's just a relaxed coffee conversation for people in tech (or tech-adjacent fields) who are curious about practical AI use cases, useful tools, workflow hacks, weird experiments, and what's generally helping people right now. *Topics might include:* * AI tools people actually use at work * Productivity and automation * Prompting successes and failures * Writing, coding, research, analytics and creative use cases * What feels overhyped vs. genuinely useful. No expertise is required. It's completely fine to come mostly curious, skeptical, or just interested in meeting thoughtful people in tech. *What to expect:* * Low pressure conversation * A mix of tech talk and normal conversation Location: (Subject to change as I do more research) High Point Pub Tyson's Whole Foods, 1635 Boro Pl. (This is the cafe space on the second floor of the Whole Foods at the Boro, Tysons. Parking is free in the garage with validation). Time: 11 am (this is when the cafe opens). Everyone covers their own coffee/snacks. I'll arrive early and grab a table and will post details about location in the event discussion. Address: 1635 Boro Pl. Whole Foods 2nd Floor Cafe

📝 **Synopsis:** Last month we got the foundation in place. Now it's time to build on it. Join us as we pick up right where we left off and go hands-on with two of the most powerful services in the AWS ecosystem, EC2 and Lambda, all from your PowerShell prompt. 📘 **Description:** If you were with us in April, you already know how to set up the AWS CLI, install the necessary modules, authenticate securely, and manage IAM users and S3 buckets without ever touching the AWS console. This session picks up right where we left off. This time, we're heading into compute territory. We'll walk through spinning up EC2 instances from scratch—picking the right AMI, configuring security groups, and managing instance lifecycle with just a few clean lines of script. You'll see how to start, stop, and terminate instances programmatically, and why that matters when you're managing resources at scale. From there, we'll shift gears to Lambda, where you'll see how to invoke serverless functions, pass payloads, and pull CloudWatch logs directly from your terminal—no browser required. It's the kind of automation that makes your future self very happy. As always, expect live demos, real-world scenarios, and at least one moment where something doesn't go quite as planned—which, as it turns out, is usually the most useful part. Whether you were with us last month or are jumping in for the first time, you'll walk away with working scripts, a clearer picture of what's possible, and patterns you can actually take back to work on Monday. 📰 Extra credit: Bring your questions, your war stories, and your curiosity. This is a space for PowerShell enthusiasts to learn, share, and build together.

NOVA Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal, co-working session. People of all skill levels are invited. The concept is simple, bring a laptop and ideas, we'll provide the coffee and donuts! Here's how it works: 1. At 10:15 everyone introduces themselves and briefly describes what brought them to Code & Coffee today (project, homework, networking, etc) 2. For the rest of the day, folks work in the communal space on their projects providing one another help and conversation as needed. Oh and they usually drink coffee and tea too! That's it! Hope to see you there! **Location** Our hosts are the Fairfax City Economic Development Building: [10300 Eaton Pl, Fairfax, VA 22030](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d7298231ca2df594df822003f9a93517c788fceefe1fcbb79c8976696e341bc6JmltdHM9MTc1MzIyODgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=180d0745-3b7f-69a1-23a2-11433a7868e5&u=a1L21hcHM_Jm1lcGk9MTA5fn5Ub3BPZlBhZ2V-QWRkcmVzc19MaW5rJnR5PTE4JnE9RmFpcmZheCUyMENpdHklMjBFY29ub21pYyUyMERldmVsb3BtZW50JnNzPXlwaWQuWU44NzN4ODI4MTk2Mjg0NTk5MDM4MTU0MiZwcG9pcz0zOC44NjE0NDYzODA2MTUyMzRfLTc3LjMwMjE3NzQyOTE5OTIyX0ZhaXJmYXglMjBDaXR5JTIwRWNvbm9taWMlMjBEZXZlbG9wbWVudF9ZTjg3M3g4MjgxOTYyODQ1OTkwMzgxNTQyfiZjcD0zOC44NjE0NDZ-LTc3LjMwMjE3NyZ2PTImc1Y9MSZGT1JNPU1QU1JQTA&ntb=1) Conference Room A- Large, Floor 1 This is a new venue for us, so give us some time to get more details about it. Driving is the best option. There is plenty of free on-site parking. Otherwise, we are a 22 minute bus from the Vienna Metro Station. Bicycling from Vienna is possible but difficult, though once you are here, there's a bike rack in the garage behind the building, and there's also a Capital Bikeshare dock 15 min walk away. **Sponsored by:** Thank you [Fairfax City Economic Development](https://gofairfaxcity.com/) and [Mason Enterprise Center](https://enterprise.gmu.edu/) for making this event possible! **Thank you so much to our wonderful sponsors!** Organized by [DMV Petri Dish](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/) **[Code of Conduct](https://github.com/NoVACodeCoffee/admin/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md):** We value the participation of each member of the community and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To make clear what is expected, all delegates/attendees, organizers, and volunteers at any Nova Code & Coffee events are required to conform to our [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/NoVACodeCoffee/admin/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md).

\*\* Please go to [Ticket leap](https://events.ticketleap.com/events/greentara/women) to confirm registration \*\*\* In ancient Indian traditions, Chakras are seven spinning energy centers aligned along the spine that connect your physical body to your emotional and spiritual well-being. Each center represents a specific aspect of the human experience, ranging from physical safety to emotional connection to higher intuition and spiritual consciousness. In this series, we are going to explore the meaning of chakras and how to nurture them in our lives. This event is for women only. **January 4** Root chakra: security and foundation **February 15** Sacral chakra: Body and sexuality **March 15** Solar plexus chakra: Power **April 12** Heart chakra: Love **May 24** Throat chakra: Creativity **June 28** Third eye chakra: Knowledge and wisdom **August 2** Crown chakra: Spirituality Authentic Relating Women's Circle is an opportunity for women to be their authentic selves in a supportive and inclusive environment. In our society, women are often expected to take care of others and ignore our own needs. At Women's Circle, we give each other permission to voice our desires, frustrations, joys, and take up space. How do you REALLY feel? What is it that you want? How can we help you get there? Let us support you in finding out. Clarity, confidence, laughter, and friendship are likely outcomes. **What Is Authentic Relating?** Authentic is being real, honest, revealed, and transparent, allowing others to see, hear, and know our inner world. Relating is welcoming the other person's authentic self and weaving their reality and experience with our own. Authenticity and vulnerability are possible in an environment absent of judgement where we are confident that we will be received with openness, empathy, and compassion. Authentic Relating is about intentionally creating a space of equity, belonging, and inclusion. In a world where we often wear a mask, presenting some aspects of ourselves and hiding others in order to be accepted, Authentic Relating invites us to show up as we are. All parts, dimensions, emotions, and aspects that make us human are welcome in this practice. When we share from our authentic selves, we create the opportunity for genuine connections and self-understanding. The result is often moving and therapeutic. ### **Principles and Practices for Authentic Relating** Mindfulness: Slowing down, being present and aware of our inner state and surroundings. Empathy: Being aware of and releasing judgement, employing empathy, curiosity, openness, and recognition of multiple perspectives. Authenticity: Vulnerability, honesty, voicing our truth, self-awareness. Centering the other: No interrupting, giving advice, fixing, or telling your own story. Ask for permission to share your opinion, advice, your own story, and questions. Validating: acknowledging, appreciating, reflecting, empathizing, and presencing. Structure: Timed interactions where people take turns sharing, listening, and reflecting. Everyone has an equal amount of time to talk, listen, and be heard. Equity: Conversation partners are assigned randomly in order to avoid choosing partners based on personal preference. Group conversations typically involve going in order around a circle rather than popcorn style. Prepared questions: Directs conversation towards meaningful topics and deeper reflection. ### **Additional Information** What is Authentic Relating? [2 minute video ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJG7R7Da5xA)/ [15 minute video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJG7R7Da5xA) This event is open to woman identifying individuals. All ages, abilities, and sexual orientations welcome! If you would like to participate, please arrive early so we can start on time. Late arrivals jeopardize the emotional safety and flow of the event. Everyone who attends is invited to join a WhatsApp group to stay in touch and connect with others one-on-one. ### **Testimonials** "WOW OH WOW! It was total magic for me! When I got home last night and looked in the mirror, my face was aglow! At least 20 years were melted away! My face was glowing and beautiful! In the morning, I was happily surprised to see the same glow on my face! Somewhere deep inside of me was touched with healing energy. I had dropped my usual protective guard which I wasn’t even aware was there during the meeting. That you, Clara Fang! See you at the next meeting ☺️" "THANK YOU THANK YOU for hosting this event! It was amazing to connect with brilliant, authentic, and caring women, in person. I could not have asked for a more supportive and healing space. My heart is full. Everyone everywhere needs this, but especially here and now!" "Most social events are like fast food--stimulating but insubstantial. Authentic Relating feels like a carefully crafted and nutritious meal, made with love for you." "Clara is a warm and engaging facilitator who makes everyone feel welcome and comfortable to be their authentic selves." \*\* Please go to [Ticket leap](https://events.ticketleap.com/events/greentara/women) to confirm registration \*\*\*

Shut up & Write! meets at the Gum Springs public library room C. We hope to see you there! Shut Up & Write is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Libraries.