Soul Seated Journey

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Between endless notifications, the pressure to "hustle," and the quiet anxiety of figuring out your future, your nervous system probably feels like it’s on a high-speed treadmill.
We're here to help you step off the rollercoaster and understand why you’re feeling this way, plus learn actionable tools to regulate your nervous system.

## What We’ll Cover:

• Understand the 'Why': Learn why your nervous system gets stuck in 'high alert' and how to spot your own stress triggers.
• Manage Your Emotions: Discover simple ways to handle anxiety and overwhelm without the pressure to 'fix' yourself.
• Real-World Tools: Walk away with practical, easy-to-use techniques that you can use anywhere, anytime.

## Who This Is For

## Whether you’re working in a high-pressure role, balancing a side hustle, or just navigating the messy transition into adulthood, this is a space to breathe, reset, and learn how to exist in the world without being constantly drained by it.

## This [virtual] event is free to attend

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What to Bring
Yourself, a quiet-ish spot, and some honesty about how rested you actually are.

About Our Speaker:
Yikai Xu is a PhD candidate in Clinical/Counseling psychology at the Culture, Emotion, and Health Lab at New York University and a member of Mind & Life’s Research and Program Council.

About Soul Seated Journey
Soul Seated Journey is a contemplative wellness community for emerging adults built around one simple belief: that you are already whole. Our Soulful Sanctuary series brings together real conversations, lived experiences, and evidence-informed practices to help you feel more grounded, connected, purposeful in your own life.

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Between the constant scroll, the pressure to "figure it all out," and the pace of city life, it’s rare to find a moment where you can actually exhale. But there’s a quiet truth waiting when you slow down to let the world around you land. This is the heart of forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku), a Japanese practice of therapeutic relaxation. Research shows that when we engage our senses with intention in nature, it acts as a powerful reset for our nervous system - reducing stress and helping us feel more grounded, creative, and alive.

​In this Soulful Sanctuary experience, we’ve partnered with certified nature guide Andres Edwards to invite you into a restorative mindfulness walk through the serene El Polin Spring Picnic Area in the Presidio. This is not an interpretive nature walk, nor is it a hike. Instead, it’s an experiential way to practice awareness, belonging and compassion by staying in the present moment. One breath, one sound, one step at a time.

​What to Expect

• ​Explore how Awareness, Belonging, and Compassion (the ABCs) can show up when you take the pressure off and simply exist in the moment.
• ​Learn how to engage your five senses as an anchor to help you arrive more fully in the here-and-now, away from digital noise.
• ​Notice the shift in your body as nature helps lower stress and clears space for genuine joy and creativity.
• ​Come together for open hearted community time - no networking or expectations

​Meeting Time and Location
​Please arrive at the Paul Goode Field Parking Lot in the Presidio by 9:45am on Sunday August 9th. Andres will meet the group there and we will begin our 5 minute walk down to the El Polin gathering space together, departing at 10:00am sharp. Please plan to arrive on time as we will begin promptly.

​Parking
​The Paul Goode Field Parking Lot is a paid parking lot. Participants are encouraged to carpool where possible to reduce cost and make the experience more accessible. Public transit options to the Presidio are also available. Please refer to the El Polin Spring official website.

​Mobility
​This experience involves approximately 2 hours of walking on natural terrain. Participants should feel comfortable walking at a gentle pace for that duration. If you have any questions about accessibility or mobility, please reach out to us before registering [connect@soulseated.org].

​What to bring

• ​Comfortable walking shoes
• ​Water
• ​A hat and sun protection
• ​Layers and rainwear if needed

Weather

​This event is weather dependent. If it rains, the event will be rescheduled and all registered participants will be notified directly.

​Cost
​This event is free to attend. Donations are welcomed and go directly toward our mission of serving young adults in San Francisco.
​The event is first come first serve.

​**About Your Nature Guide, Andres**

​About Soul Seated Journey
​Soul Seated Journey is a contemplative wellness community for emerging adults built around one simple belief: that you are already whole. Our Discover events are open to everyone, through creative expression, shared ritual, and real conversation. No prior experience needed. Just curiosity.

Register here