Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Santana.
Hi Carolina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a single mother, and in many ways, this all began with my daughter.
One day, she asked me why her friends didn’t know how to do breathwork—something that had always been natural in our home. That question stayed with me. It made me realize that what we were practicing wasn’t common, and that there was a real gap in how we support emotional well-being, especially for children.
I grew up in Colombia without much access to emotional education, safety, or guidance. From a young age, I was searching for ways to understand myself—first through psychology studies, and later through my own healing practices.
At the same time, I built a career in events and marketing in New York City, producing experiences at a large scale. But in parallel, I was always on a personal path—training as a mindfulness and meditation teacher, studying somatic therapy, and using art as a way to process and express life.
Movement, especially dance, has been part of my life since I was five years old. It was my first way of navigating chaos—coming back to my body when things felt overwhelming.
Over time, all of these paths merged.
Today, I create immersive experiences rooted in mindfulness and connection. Each event is intentionally designed in partnership with the community it serves—no two Mindful Circles are the same. The goal is to create spaces where people feel safe to reconnect with themselves, build confidence, and experience self-love in a real, embodied way.
In many ways, I’m creating what I didn’t have growing up—and what my daughter intuitively knew should exist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No—it hasn’t been a smooth road. Not even close.
I grew up in an environment where safety, stability, and emotional support were not always present. I was exposed to a lot at a very young age—both within my home and in my surroundings. I had to become independent early, working from a young age and learning how to navigate life largely on my own.
Coming from Colombia, from a non-affluent background and an underrepresented indigenous lineage, opportunities were limited. I had to create my own path with very few resources and very little guidance.
There were moments of deep hardship, loss, and adversity—but what carried me through was faith, creativity, and a deep inner instinct to keep going. Art, movement, and my connection to something greater—what I understand now as my ancestors and my inner wisdom—became anchors for me.
People often say I’m strong, but for me, it never felt like a choice. It was simply what was required to keep moving forward.
Over time, I’ve come to see that journey as a kind of initiation—a hero’s journey that shaped the way I hold space today. It gave me the ability to understand people deeply, to create environments that feel safe, and to build something meaningful from lived experience.
I still carry that same perseverance with me. I don’t give up—and that’s why Mindful Circles exists. My intention is to transform the way people gather and connect, and to help build communities rooted in presence, care, and belonging—one circle at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mindful Circles. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Mindful Circles is a thoughtfully curated experiential practice that reimagines how we gather, celebrate, and connect.
We design bespoke, mindfulness-based experiences for private clients, families, school communities, and organizations—ranging from intimate circles and retreats to refined birthday celebrations, family gatherings, and community events. Each program is carefully tailored and written in direct response to the needs of the client, ensuring that every experience feels personal, relevant, and deeply considered.
Our work integrates somatic practices, meditation, movement, and artistic expression, creating spaces that feel both grounded and quietly transformative. Art is an essential thread throughout—whether through movement, visual creation, or sensory elements—offering an accessible entry point into presence for both children, teens and adults.
What distinguishes Mindful Circles is the level of intention behind each experience. With a background in experiential production in New York City, I bring a strong foundation in design, flow, and execution—ensuring that what we create is not only meaningful, but also seamless and beautifully held.
We are known for creating environments that feel safe, elevated, and deeply human. No two gatherings are the same; each is developed in close collaboration with the client or community, honoring their culture, their rhythm, and the intention behind the moment being held.
For private bookings, school partnerships, and collaborations, each experience is designed in close conversation to ensure it feels fully aligned and intentional.
What I’m most proud of is bringing depth into spaces that are often overlooked—especially within celebrations and educational environments. A child’s birthday, a classroom, a family gathering—these are moments that shape how we relate to ourselves and to one another.
Mindful Circles exists for those who are seeking something more considered. A different kind of gathering. One rooted in presence, care, and connection.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is presence—simple, real moments of connection.
Seeing someone feel safe enough to be themselves, watching my daughter move freely, or witnessing a group come together in a meaningful way.
I also find joy in creating, designing experiences where people can reconnect with themselves through mindfulness and art.
For me, happiness is quiet, grounded, and shared. It lives in the moments where something real opens.
Pricing:
- All bookings begin with a brief exploratory call to understand the needs, intention, and vision of each client or community.
- Each experience is custom-designed; pricing varies depending on scope, duration, group size, and level of production.
- Mindful Birthday Celebrations and private gatherings begin at $1,500, with options to expand based on creative direction and add-ons.
- We offer tailored programs for schools and community organizations, with tiered pricing available to support accessibility—particularly for public schools and under-resourced communities.
- Select offerings such as group circles, workshops, and seasonal events may be available at accessible rates or sliding scale, depending on the format.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circlesmindful/
