What is the Authentic Relating Lab?
ARL is a four-week experiential training designed to help individuals learn and embody the principles of authentic human connection. It’s a laboratory for relational intelligence, emotional presence, and the courage to be real.
What ARL is:
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An experiential training ground.
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A lab to practice and integrate skills.
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Focused on deepening relational intelligence.
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Rooted in body-based presence and emotional attunement.
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A structured, accessible, transformational container.
What ARL is not :
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Therapy (though it draws on somatic & relational wisdom).
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A lecture-based course.
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A protocol /script driven apprach to relating.
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A quick fix for relational challenges.
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About performing or perfecting communication.
Guiding Philosophy
“The quality of your connections determines the quality of your life.”
ARL is built around the belief that authenticity is an embodied skill—not just a personality trait. Staying with what's real (emotionally, somatically, interpersonally) creates the conditions for deeper connection and more fulfilling relationships. Most people were never taught *how* to truly connect; ARL aims to fill that gap.
Is ARL For You?
If you find yourself yearning for more than surface-level chatter, or if you feel stuck in relational patterns that no longer serve you, ARL offers a path to meaningful change. This lab is designed for those who value growth, self-awareness, and are ready to practice a new way of being in connection.
ARL helps address common experiences like:
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Feeling stuck in the same communication loops.
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Emotional disconnection in relationships.
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Struggles with naming needs, boundaries, or truths.
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Lack of real connection despite being “social”.
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Exhaustion from performing or people-pleasing.
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Over-reliance on intellect to navigate emotion.
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Frustration with relational patterns you can’t seem to shift.
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Craving community or more soul-nourishing conversation.
The ARL Journey
ARL unfolds over four weeks, with each 2-hour session building upon the last. The journey is a blend of brief teachings, experiential games, and the core "Present Moment Relating Practice." It’s a carefully curated experience designed for deep learning and integration.
Format: 4 Weekly Sessions, 2 hours each.
Group Size: Intentionally small, 6-8 participants per cohort for deep connection.
Week 1: Orientation to Sensation, Emotion & Presence
Learning how to identify internal truth and separate it from narrative. Exploring the foundational elements of authentic relating through somatic warm-ups, opening check-ins, and initial experiential practices.
Key Practices You'll Experience:
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Present Moment Relating: Core group practice focused on noticing, naming, and staying present with real-time emotion and sensation in connection with others.
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“The Discomfort Dialogue”: Scripted or lightly guided rounds of naming uncomfortable truths, followed by simple reflections.
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Push-Pull Card Exchanges: Exploring attraction and aversion in a structured way.
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Integration Prompts: Daily micro-practices to bring the work into your life.
Tools and games are often drawn from Authentic Relating Games, improvisational principles, and somatic-based exercises.
Skills You'll Cultivate
ARL is not just about feeling good; it's about building tangible relational skills that can transform how you interact with yourself and the world. These are capacities you can practice and strengthen over time.
You'll get ample time to practice :
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Differentiating sensation, emotion, and thought.
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Naming internal experience clearly and succinctly.
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Receiving feedback or impact with presence.
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Staying connected when discomfort or conflict arises.
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Building awareness of implicit relational patterns.
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Practicing non-performative connection.
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Increasing capacity to stay embodied and curious under pressure.
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Communicating your truth with empathy and courage.
Meet Your Facilitator
Aaron Thomas C.H.T.
Aaron brings over 25 years of experience in the healing arts, including somatic psychotherapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and body-centered relational work. ARL is an extension of his clinical work with couples and individuals, born from a desire to offer a “practice gym” for relational skills—not just insight, but real-time application.
His approach is grounded, soulful, and human, honoring nuance, emotion, and the beauty of imperfection in the journey of connection.
What Makes ARL Unique?
In a world full of advice and quick fixes, ARL offers something different: a commitment to real, embodied practice in a supportive community.
Experiential > Conceptual
You learn by doing, not just theorizing.
Presence > Performance
Focus on embodied truth, not polished communication.
Small Cohort Intimacy
Deep relational safety and trust are fostered.
Somatic & Improv Crossover
Embodied nuance meets creative risk-taking.
Local Roots, High-Caliber Depth
Not a franchise, but deeply personal, professional facilitation.
Grounded & Soulful
Honors your humanity, not corporate or overly clinical.
Who attends ARL?
ARL attracts adults from various walks of life, united by a common desire for deeper, more authentic connections. While currently offered in Durango, CO, the principles are universal.
This lab is primarily for those who:
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Value growth, self-awareness, and embodied practice.
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May be in therapy or personal development already.
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Are tired of surface conversations and crave depth.
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Want deeper relationships and real connection.
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Are frustrated with relational patterns they can’t seem to shift.
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Are open to exploring their inner world in a supportive group setting.
Many are middle-aged professionals, some are former therapy clients, others come by word of mouth. All are welcome. This training is for both individuals and couples. All couples will be having individual experiences while here. This is not a course exclusively designed for couples.
Voices from the Lab
Hear from past participants about their experiences in the Authentic Relating Lab.
"I am grateful, humbled, and fascinated by our first month’s gatherings. I received a new perspective about confidence in communication and openness to taking initiative—both which are already integrating into my daily life experience.” - Isaac K.
If anyone is even remotely considering this class I would strongly encourage them to take the leap. This experience was different, and so much more impactful, than anything I was expecting. - J. Clarke
"What began as a gathering of seven strangers blossomed into a genuine, heartfelt connection that bore witness to the power of authentic, present moment relating. Aaron created a safe environment for each of us to touch into what was real and connect from a place of truth and vulnerability. Relating in this way is a precious gift and will undoubtedly change the way you relate to yourself, others and the world." - Brooke G. Safford
Evolution & Vision
ARL is a living, evolving practice. Future developments include:
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ARL Level 2: For those ready to deepen their practice, focusing on more fluidity, real-world requests, increased complexity in relational dynamics, and enhanced embodied capacity.
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Daylong Immersions: Potential additions for deeper dives and integration.
Long-term vision:
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Ongoing practice groups.
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Multi-day Immersions
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Online offerings
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Contributing to a more connected, relationally intelligent community in Durango and beyond.