Valentine’s Day Singles Meetup Brings Yoga and Real Connection to The Heart Yoga Studio In Flagler Village
- Evan Snow
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
In a culture dominated by dating apps, bios, and endless swiping, meeting someone in real life can feel unexpectedly difficult. This Valentine’s Day, two community builders are coming together at The Heart Yoga Studio in Flagler Village (Fort Lauderdale) to offer an alternative that feels both refreshing and deeply intentional.
The Valentine’s Day Singles Meetup is not a speed dating event and it is not built around pressure or performance. Instead, it is a community-centered gathering designed to help people connect the way humans always have. In the same room. In real time. Without filters or algorithms shaping the experience.
Hosted at The Heart Yoga Studio alongside community builder Evan Snow and co-host Lesley Carney (Lead Teacher/Director Of Education), this unique event was born from a shared realization that modern dating tools may be creating more distance than connection.
Why The Heart Yoga Studio Is the Ideal Setting
For those familiar with The Heart Yoga Studio, this event feels like a natural extension of its mission.
More than a yoga studio, The Heart has established itself as a community-driven wellness center in Flagler Village, known for creating spaces where people feel safe to slow down, be present, and genuinely connect. Through accessible classes, workshops, breathwork, sound healing, and community gatherings, the studio consistently prioritizes experiences that support both individual well-being and collective belonging.
In previous Choose954 coverage, The Heart was highlighted as a neighborhood anchor. A space rooted in inclusivity, intention, and human connection. Rather than chasing trends, the studio focuses on creating the right container and allowing meaningful experiences to unfold organically.
This singles meetup fits seamlessly into that philosophy.
Rather than forcing interaction, the event invites presence. Rather than encouraging curated versions of ourselves, it creates space to show up as we are. It is less about dating in the traditional sense and more about creating the conditions for authentic connection.
From a Shared Realization to a Real-Life Experience
The idea for the Valentine’s Day Singles Meetup emerged from a short film and a series of conversations about how disconnected dating has become in an app-first world.
“I really loved how this event came together,” Evan Snow shared. “It started with watching a short film that really highlighted how tough it’s become to meet people in real life.”
(Watch the short film that helped inspired this idea about fostering connection - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRc8AjBkT1h/)
What followed were honest conversations about dating fatigue and the pressure created by profiles, bios, and algorithms.
“There should be a place and a way for people to connect without all the layers,” Snow said. “No bios. No pictures forcing the conversation. Just a more natural way for people to vibe and see if they actually like one another.”
For co-host Lesley Carney, those conversations felt especially validating.
“As a woman, it was comforting to hear that the other side is feeling it too,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like the apps are doing the opposite of what they’re meant to do. Instead of bringing people together, they can actually divide us.
There’s so much pressure, and it doesn’t make for an organic or authentic experience.”
Creating Space for Connection Without Pressure
What sets this event apart is its intention. The evening is designed to help people arrive, relax, and connect without expectations.
“Some people just flow better in real life instead of on an app,” Snow said.
“Dating has become very algorithm-driven, and that doesn’t leave much room for real chemistry. People are yearning for in-person experiences. Authentic, engaging experiences where they can just be human together.”
That yearning is something The Heart Yoga Studio has long recognized.
“For me as a community builder, this is what it’s all about,” Snow added. “We are all trying to be part of something. An experience. A community. A relationship. This event is about creating space for that.”
Carney believes the timing feels right.
“It feels like everything has reached a breaking point,” she said. “We went all-in on being online, connecting through apps, and now people are realizing they want to go back. Back to being in a room together and actually seeing one another for who we are.”
What to Expect at the Meetup
The evening begins with a gentle, beginner-friendly Yin Yoga practice designed to help everyone settle into the space and arrive fully.
For those unfamiliar, Yin Yoga is a slow, floor-based style of yoga where poses are held comfortably for longer periods of time. It is not about sweating, strength, or flexibility. Instead, it encourages stillness, relaxation, and awareness. Yin Yoga helps release tension, calm the nervous system, and quiet the mind, making it an ideal way to transition into a social experience without pressure.
Following the Yin practice, guests will be guided by Lesley through a short Yoga Nidra meditation, often described as guided rest. Participants remain lying down while being gently led through a calming visualization that helps the body relax and the mind reset. It is deeply restorative and accessible, even for those who have never meditated before.
This grounding portion of the evening is intentional. By helping everyone slow down first, it creates a more natural, relaxed environment for connection.
From there, the experience transitions into light partner-based yoga and connection exercises. These are non-intrusive, consent-forward activities designed to support presence, communication, and ease. There is no forced physical contact, and clear guidance is provided throughout. Participation always stays within each person’s comfort level, and anyone can opt out of an exercise at any time with a simple instructed hand gesture.
As part of the experience, attendees will be guided through conversations using Connection Cards, a simple but powerful tool designed to help people move beyond surface-level small talk.
The cards feature thoughtfully crafted prompts that encourage reflection, curiosity, and presence. Rather than scripted questions or awkward icebreakers, they create openings for genuine conversation in a way that feels natural and human. Attendees can engage at their own pace, choosing how deeply they want to participate while still feeling supported by the structure.
Connection Cards are especially helpful in group settings, offering a gentle way to start meaningful dialogue without pressure. They help shift the focus away from performance and toward listening, shared experience, and authentic exchange, aligning seamlessly with The Heart Yoga Studio’s intention to create spaces where connection unfolds organically.
The afternoon also includes time to mingle organically, allowing conversations to unfold naturally without rigid structure.
Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that allows them to sit, stretch, and relax easily. Yoga attire is welcome but not required. The focus is comfort, not performance.
No prior yoga experience is needed. Everything is guided, approachable, and designed with first-timers in mind.
A Return to How People Used to Meet
There is also a subtle sense of nostalgia woven into the experience.
“This used to be the only way,” Snow said with a laugh. “You met someone at a café, around town, maybe at a jukebox. You talked. You asked for their number. Maybe you wrote it down on a napkin.”
Lesley Carney added, “When was the last time you wrote your name and number on a napkin for someone?”
It is not about going backward. It is about remembering what connection feels like when it is unfiltered, imperfect, and human.
Giving Back: Yoga 4 Change
This is a donation-based event, with a suggested donation of $25. A portion of proceeds will benefit Yoga 4 Change – South Florida Chapter.
Yoga 4 Change is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making yoga and mindfulness accessible to underserved communities. Their trauma-informed programs bring movement, breath, and self-regulation tools into correctional facilities, recovery centers, and community organizations where access to wellness is often limited.
Supporting Yoga 4 Change aligns deeply with the intention of this experience: creating access, safety, and meaningful connection for all.
Event Details
Location: The Heart Yoga Studio, Flagler Village
Date: Valentine’s Day
Time: 2-4:30PM
Tickets: Available via Eventbrite - https://choose954-valentines-day-singles-meetup.eventbrite.com
Space is limited to 15 men & women, advance registration is required.
Why This Event Matters Right Now
As Flagler Village continues to grow as one of Fort Lauderdale’s most vibrant neighborhoods, events like this reflect a broader cultural shift. People are seeking experiences that feel real. Spaces that prioritize presence. Gatherings that foster genuine connection.
This Valentine’s Day, The Heart Yoga Studio is offering more than a singles event. It is offering a reminder that connection does not need to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with simply being in the same room.
About Choose954
Choose954 is a hyper-local cultural platform spotlighting the people, places, and experiences shaping Broward County. Follow along and submit story tips at Choose954.com or via e-mail to choose954@uniteusgroup.com
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