Group: Strong Back, Soft Front

A space for men to slow down, speak honestly, and reconnect
|with themselves and others.

Closed Group

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Live Online

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6 Weeks

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90 Minutes/Week

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$300 per participant

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What the Group Is About

Strong Back, Soft Front is a 6-week therapist-led group for men seeking greater emotional clarity, steadiness under stress, and more authentic connection in their lives and relationships.

Rather than focusing only on advice or coping strategies, the group emphasizes mindful
self-awareness, honest conversation, and real-time interpersonal connection.

We explore that real strength isn’t about shutting down. It’s about learning how to stay grounded without losing connection to yourself or others

The name of the group is Inspired by Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax’s teaching of “Strong Back, Soft Front”

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Strong Back means developing the ability to stay grounded under stress — to hold boundaries, tolerate discomfort, and remain present instead of collapsing, avoiding, or shutting down.

Soft Front means developing the capacity to stay emotionally open — to connect honestly, express needs more clearly, and allow yourself to be seen without losing your strength.

Emotional Attunement: Building the skills to relate more deeply—to partners, family, and friends—by noticing what’s happening in the moment and responding with clarity and care.

“All too often our so-called strength comes from fear, not love; instead of having a strong back, many of us have a defended front shielding a weak spine… If we strengthen our backs, metaphorically speaking, and develop a spine that’s flexible but sturdy, then we risk having a front that’s soft and open, representing choiceless compassion. The place in your body where these two meet—strong back and soft front—is the brave, tender ground
in which to root our caring deeply.”

— Roshi Joan Halifax

Why Join?

If you’ve ever felt like you:

1.

Struggle to express what
you really feel.

4.

Want deeper relationships but don’t always know how to open up.

2.

Feel pressure to always “hold it together.”

5.

Long for honest male friendships where you don’t have to perform.

3.

Get stuck between being “too hard”
or “too soft.”

6.

Feel emotionally alone,
disconnected, or isolated.

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You’ll Learn To

Manage stress without
shutting down

Stay present under pressure

Communicate with clarity
and empathy

Build emotional awareness
and resilience

Balance independence with connection

Let go of unhelpful coping strategies

Navigate conflict without escalation

What to Expect

A sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on a patterned blanket.
A sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on a patterned blanket.
A sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on a patterned blanket.
A sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on a patterned blanket.

6 guided sessions led by a therapist and mindfulness teacher who knows men’s work

A proven framework blending psychology, mindfulness, and real-world practice.

Community support—a space where you’re not alone in figuring this out.

Practical skills you’ll take straight into your relationships, work, and daily life.

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Opportunities to practice honest communication, emotional awareness, and connection in real time with other men.

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Group Details

Interest List Now Open
These programs run several times per year. If you're interested in joining the next cohort, you can pre-register or express interest by emailing me directly.
This helps me notify you as soon as new dates open.

Email: claudio@calmaonline.com
Include the program you're interested in,
and I’ll reach out with next steps.

Closed group (same members for all sessions)

6 week program (via Zoom)

$300 for 6 week program

90 minutes per week

Limited to 10 men per group

Join the Next Cohort