Collecting Groups San Francisco

Dumpling Story

Collective Medicine Circle | Mindfulness & Community

The Collective Medicine Circle is a monthly mindfulness circle rooted in nature, seasonal rhythms, and nervous system regulation, held in Orinda, CA. This in-person gathering offers a steady, supportive space to slow down, ground, and reconnect — with yourself, with others, and with the natural cycles that shape our lives. Guided by mindfulness practices and nature-based reflection, each circle is gently shaped by the season we are in. Together we explore grounding tools, nervous system regulation practices, and shared inquiry that support presence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. This is not a class to perform or perfect — it is a circle to arrive, exhale, and be human. The Collective Medicine Circle is ideal for those seeking stress relief, mindfulness in community, and a consistent monthly ritual for nervous system support. No prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is needed. All are welcome to come exactly as they are. This is a scent-free, trauma-informed space that honors accessibility, inclusivity, and the wisdom of moving at the pace of nature. Facilitated by Erica Skone-Rees Founder of Mind Body Sound Collective, Erica is a mindfulness teacher, nervous system regulation guide, and integrative health coach. Her work weaves mindfulness, nature-based wisdom, and trauma-informed practices to support grounding, resilience, and meaningful connection. Erica has been facilitating circles, retreats, and group experiences for over 15 years, creating spaces where people can slow down and reconnect at a human pace. Learn more: [https://www.mindbodysoundcollective.com]( https://www.mindbodysoundcollective.com Cancel) Alycia Tumlin Alycia is a women’s circle facilitator and nature-based guide who supports reconnection to inner wisdom through seasonal awareness, embodiment, and community. Her work is rooted in deep listening, presence, and honoring the rhythms of the natural world as a pathway to grounding and belonging.

Drawing Nature in the Field

Join the Green Benefit District for a morning of sketching in the field. We will focus on a local, native plant and possibly the insects attracted to the plant. An overview of the site and instruction for drawing will be provided. In order that one on one time is possible, this fun artistic event is **limited to 15 people**. **Waiver and registration required in advance**. Contact eddie@naturetrip . com for location and additional information. **Suggested supplies to bring:** \- Basic drawing materials… - Pens, pencils, erasers, paper/sketchbook or notebook (thicker paper is better, but we can modulate to whatever people have) - Optional: color materials (watercolors, colored pencils, etc. whatever more experienced attendees might want to make art with!) \- Something to sit on\, like a travel stool or chair\, towel\, or seating pad -Loupe for detailed views \- Weather appropriate clothing \(we can check the weather closer to the date\) \- Generally\, appropriate gear to spending a few hours outside: sun protection\, layers\, closed toed shoes \- Water bottle **BIO:** [Amanda Konishi](https://www.akonishi.com/) is a scientific illustrator and fine artist with a focus on Entomological and Botanical subjects, and a special interest in pollinator ecosystems and gall forming insects. Her record as a fine artist working in abstraction paired with the heavily researched, hyper focused interpretation necessitated by science communication present two distinct bodies of work, respectively defining two avenues to engage with the natural world.

Lunchtime Yoga in the Park: Willard Park Yoga Collective

Join the Willard Park Yoga Collective every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Willard Park in Berkeley! Friday online! Integrated Hatha Flow classes are based on classical Hatha, mixed with the specializations of each teacher. We flow thoughtfully through poses taking time to notice the nuances, and match movement with breath. Chrissy, Carmen, and Jess integrate somatic modalities and the eight limbs into the yoga practice to increase body and breath awareness, and regulate the nervous system. Finding all of this in the present moment, we aim to foster agency, gratitude, peace, and joy. Teaching outside further deepens the practice by connecting to Nature and the elements. All levels are welcome and will be accommodated, judgement free. *"We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness"* **Thich Nhat Hanh** \*We work on a donation-basis, making yoga more accessible to all. Come as you are, pay what you can. Your teachers: Mondays 12:30pm Jess Tuesdays 12:30pm Carmen Wednesdays 12:30pm Chrissy Thursdays 12:30pm Carmen Fridays 5:30pm Chrissy (Online in the late fall-winter. Got to event for link) Sundays 10:00am Chrissy **Meet Chrissy:** Chrissy is a 500HR-RYT, Yoga Therapist, and Thai Yoga Massage Therapist. She came to teaching yoga with a 25+ year personal practice in vinyasa and kundalini, and training in modern dance, music, and theater. She also holds certification in ECE(12unit) and Social/Emotional Learning Facilitation. Her classes are integrated Hatha flow, influenced deeply by yoga philosophy and functional strength. With an emphasis on breath and accessing the present moment, she delights in walking the line between play and prayer. Chrissy strives to honor the origins of yoga while making it accessible to every body. She acknowledges her position as white, able-bodied, and cisgendered, aiming to be inclusive and trauma informed. Her classes are donation based with no one turned away for lack of funds. Private clients are sliding scale. In lieu of a studio, Chrissy teaches on line and outside in parks on the sovereign land of the Lisjan Ohlone. *Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu* May all beings be happy, healthy, and free. May we contribute to that. [https://chrissyyoga.com/](https://chrissyyoga.com/#home) **Meet Jess:** Jess is an artist and an athlete. At the beginning of her ceramics trajectory, working as a studio tech at a college clay studio, she realized she needed to be strong to load kilns and make large batches of clay. The physicality of her art became a driving reason to care for her body and its functional strength and mobility. Strength, agility, balance, flexibility and injury prevention (and recovery) were all things she found her personal yoga practice improved. In 2015 she became a certified 200 HR-RYT through Core Power and in 2021 she received a second 200 HR-RYT from Purusha Yoga. Jess guides a vinyasa flow based practice, with an emphasis on linking breath to movement and being in the present during practice. Jess teaches yoga in Willard Park and on the SF Bay on stand up paddle boards. She owns her own stand up paddleboard company, 510-Waterline, in Richmond, CA. [https://www.510waterline.com/](https://www.510waterline.com/). And she currently makes pots at her home studio in Berkeley, CA. teaches adult ceramic classes, workshops and has exhibited her work internationally. What she says in her artist statement about her pots also applies to her yoga practice “Strength lies in the fluidity of opposites – of line and mass, contraction and relaxation, tension and softness, push and pull. Ultimately, I want my pots to be graceful, elegant, and straightforward. It’s all about strength and beauty.”[ https://www.jesspots.com/](https://www.jesspots.com/) **Meet Carmen:** Yoga teacher and integrative somatic therapist Carmen Casado has long believed in the body's innate wisdom and capacity for resilience. She brings over two decades of yoga, dance, and mindfulness practices to her teaching, and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and ongoing student of Peter Levine. She weaves this body of work into her classes, both covertly and overtly, often teaching about our neurobiology as relates to the eight limbs of Raja Yoga. Her mission as a yoga teacher is to create a safe and supportive environment for her students to explore the eight limbs, while cultivating resiliency and a deeper connection to self. Carmen also co-facilitates wellness retreats, and works individually with clients offering integrative somatic therapy sessions. She is a registered E-RYT 500, SEP, and former practicing attorney in NY and CA. [https://carmencasado.com/](https://carmencasado.com/)

When was the last time you played catch?

Tossing a baseball around at Marina Green and meeting good people. No pressure. No teams. Just catch and conversation. Bring a glove if you have one.

Sunday Yoga in the Park: Willard Park Yoga Collective

Join the Willard Park Yoga Collective every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Willard Park in Berkeley! Friday online! Integrated Hatha Flow classes are based on classical Hatha, mixed with the specializations of each teacher. We flow thoughtfully through poses taking time to notice the nuances, and match movement with breath. Chrissy, Carmen, and Jess integrate somatic modalities and the eight limbs into the yoga practice to increase body and breath awareness, and regulate the nervous system. Finding all of this in the present moment, we aim to foster agency, gratitude, peace, and joy. Teaching outside further deepens the practice by connecting to Nature and the elements. All levels are welcome and will be accommodated, judgement free. *"We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness"* **Thich Nhat Hanh** \*We work on a donation-basis, making yoga more accessible to all. Come as you are, pay what you can. Your teachers: Mondays 12:30pm Jess Tuesdays 12:30pm Carmen Wednesdays 12:30pm Chrissy Thursdays 12:30pm Carmen Fridays 5:30pm Chrissy (Online in the late fall-winter. Got to event for link) Sundays 10:00am Chrissy **Meet Chrissy:** Chrissy is a 500HR-RYT, Yoga Therapist, and Thai Yoga Massage Therapist. She came to teaching yoga with a 25+ year personal practice in vinyasa and kundalini, and training in modern dance, music, and theater. She also holds certification in ECE(12unit) and Social/Emotional Learning Facilitation. Her classes are integrated Hatha flow, influenced deeply by yoga philosophy and functional strength. With an emphasis on breath and accessing the present moment, she delights in walking the line between play and prayer. Chrissy strives to honor the origins of yoga while making it accessible to every body. She acknowledges her position as white, able-bodied, and cisgendered, aiming to be inclusive and trauma informed. Her classes are donation based with no one turned away for lack of funds. Private clients are sliding scale. In lieu of a studio, Chrissy teaches on line and outside in parks on the sovereign land of the Lisjan Ohlone. *Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu* May all beings be happy, healthy, and free. May we contribute to that. [https://chrissyyoga.com/](https://chrissyyoga.com/#home) **Meet Jess:** Jess is an artist and an athlete. At the beginning of her ceramics trajectory, working as a studio tech at a college clay studio, she realized she needed to be strong to load kilns and make large batches of clay. The physicality of her art became a driving reason to care for her body and its functional strength and mobility. Strength, agility, balance, flexibility and injury prevention (and recovery) were all things she found her personal yoga practice improved. In 2015 she became a certified 200 HR-RYT through Core Power and in 2021 she received a second 200 HR-RYT from Purusha Yoga. Jess guides a vinyasa flow based practice, with an emphasis on linking breath to movement and being in the present during practice. Jess teaches yoga in Willard Park and on the SF Bay on stand up paddle boards. She owns her own stand up paddleboard company, 510-Waterline, in Richmond, CA. [https://www.510waterline.com/](https://www.510waterline.com/). And she currently makes pots at her home studio in Berkeley, CA. teaches adult ceramic classes, workshops and has exhibited her work internationally. What she says in her artist statement about her pots also applies to her yoga practice “Strength lies in the fluidity of opposites – of line and mass, contraction and relaxation, tension and softness, push and pull. Ultimately, I want my pots to be graceful, elegant, and straightforward. It’s all about strength and beauty.”[ https://www.jesspots.com/](https://www.jesspots.com/) **Meet Carmen:** Carmen has long believed in the body's innate wisdom and capacity for resilience. In her work as a Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner she helps this wisdom to emerge and transform. She completed her 500 hour (RYT) Yoga Therapy training at Purusha Yoga in San Francisco, a three-year professional Somatic Experiencing® training at Somatic Experiencing International®, is a certified Veterans Yoga Project teacher, as well as a trained wellness coach with the Kresser Institute. Carmen is currently teaching group yoga classes and offering private integrative somatic therapy and somatic wellness coaching sessions. Her mission as a yoga teacher is to create a safe and supportive environment for her students to explore the eight limbs of Raja Yoga, while cultivating resiliency and a deeper connection to self. Carmen also co-facilitates wellness retreats, and works individually with clients offering integrated somatic therapy sessions. [https://carmencasado.com/](https://carmencasado.com/)

Great Migration Photo Safari & Zanzibar Extension-a Journey of a Lifetime .

We all have seen Lion King in one form or another . . . It's now time to go to the source. Our meetup is off to Africa for The Great Migration Photo Safari! We did this amazing trip in the summer of 2024 and everybody had a blast! (see photos in the link below) Encounter the exotic wildlife of the Serengeti! Marvel at the lions, zebras, elephants and so many majestic animals we have only seen in the zoo or in movies. On Serengeti's vast, treeless plains tens of thousands of hoofed animals are constantly on the move in search of fresh grassland. This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to experience the best game viewing in Africa! **Like every trip we do with Meetup, this one is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.** ***The itinerary is:*** **July 5** Arrival Kilimanjaro Intl Airport and transfer to Arusha **July 6** Arusha to Tarangire National Park **July 7** Ngorongoro Crater full day game drive **July 8** Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park (Central Seronera area) **July 9** Serengeti (Central) **July 10** Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) **July 11** Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) **July 12** Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) to Lake Natron **July 13** Lake Natron to Arusha **July 14** Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport All of these locations don't mean much to you at the moment, but after the trip you will remember them forever as some of the best places you have ever visited! *How much does this cost?* **African Migration Safari $4998 per person, double occupancy.** **Single supplement $750. I.e. price for a solo accommodation $5748** We offer roommate matching for those, wishing to share and save. \*\*\*Airfare is not included.\*\*\* *RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.* ***The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $350 deposit:*** **[CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/WWNZ7X2FKQNDA)** *IF you need an airfare quote,* **[Click here to message Anna](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)**[ ](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) **Land Cost includes:** \- 9 nights accommodation \- 3 meals every day \- All park fees to Tarangire\, Manyara\, Serengeti and Ngorongoro\. \- All concession fees to Tarangire and Serengeti\. \- Crater service fees\. \- Professional driver guide \- Open roof land cruiser vehicles \- Drinking water during the safari **We offer an Optional Extension 5-day to Zanzibar:** **Price per person, Double occupancy $870.** **Solo room - $1285** **\*\*Airfare from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) to Zanzibar is not included\*\*** **To sign up for Zanzibar, pay the [$200 deposit through this secure link](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/32XB7TRQ46TNW)** For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: **[INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)** Have more questions? [Click here to message Anna ](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) [Click here to message Marc](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881) AND/OR We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered. [Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/297487010/) Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet other attendees. To see pictures from our Photo Safari adventure in 2024 [CLICK HERE](https://photos.app.goo.gl/kjwDb2nQn8oKTv557) We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister group we post our local free, local/reginal camping, and our overseas events too. [Click Here ](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events)for our other events: Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOT 200318-10

Backpack Gorgeous Yosemite

When your RSVP, text me at 530-450-5768 to set up a time to talk about your fitness level, details of the trip, etc. We will camp at May Lake on July 12th and hike Mt Hoffman on https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mount-hoffman-trail at May lake on July 13th and camp at May Lake on July 13th On July 14th we will backpack to Sunrise Lakes from Tenya Lake, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sunrise-lakes--3 and camp On July 15th we will hike to Clouds Rest,https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/tenaya-lake-to-clouds-rest-to-yosemite-valley and camp at Sunrise lakes again. Only July 16th we will backpack to Cathedral Lakes, and camp there July 16 and 17. On July 18th we will backpack out. Deposit of $100 required via PayPal to reserve your spot. $75 will be refunded after the trip I Kathi Simonsen reserve the sole right to modify the trip itinerary as I deem necessary at any time. * PARTICIPATION IN THIS MEETUP AFFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THE FULL LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY on [Meetup’s Backpackers of the American West's website](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5vagycqs7imueqnm4foud/Backpackers-of-the-American-West-Rules-and-Regulations-3-9-25.pdf?rlkey=q84l4kchrawlfa0yyugvkhvjo&st=zm3zzw76&dl=0).

East Bay Women's Book Club July Meetup: Soldier Sailor

Hello, fellow female readers -- The book for the July Meetup is Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy For those of you who are new, I will send out the address to my house by Monday, July 13. Looking forward to gathering together and discussing the book. Bonnie

Roaming Telegraph Hill and the Waterfront

It's two years now since I moved to Telegraph Hill. Of course I think it's one of the finest neighbourhoods in the city, but I have resisted roaming around it more than other areas. We haven't done it for a while though, so I thought it was time to visit again. This roam will take us to the foot of the Coit Tower, and across the north eastern waterfront. There will be plenty of climbing, though this time we will skip the bulk of the Greenwich and Filbert steps. We will meet on the stairs in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church on Filbert St by Washington Square. *Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go.* *These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.* *Punctuality is always appreciated. Please send a message on the app if you are running a little late - direct messages are best, rather than a comment on the event. I can usually respond to messages before we get underway, but then I put my phone away other than to take pictures.* *I know Meetup is notorious for no-shows and late changes of rsvp. I am not as strict as other organisers (we do talk to each other!), but since generally up to half the people who sign up don't show up, my tolerance for repeated flakiness is limited. It is especially unfair to people on the wait list who would like to attend.*

Western Addition Cleanup

Meet at Western Addition Library ([1550 Scott St](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Western+Addition+Library/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x40139d14e3c90e5c?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111 "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Western+Addition+Library/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x40139d14e3c90e5c?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111")) to grab our supplies and form our crew. Then, cleaning will occur from 11:00am to 12:00pm around the neighborhood. Sign up on Meetup, this [Civic Joy Fund Mobilize](https://www.mobilize.us/civicjoyfund/event/756109/) page or email info@refuserefusesf.org with event name. \*By participating or registering in a cleanup or volunteer event, I acknowledge and agree to the Civic Joy Fund and Refuse Refuse volunteer waivers: [https://civicjoyfund.org/volunteer](https://civicjoyfund.org/volunteer) - [https://refuserefusesf.org/waiver](https://refuserefusesf.org/waiver)

DISNEY MUSEUM /PRESIDIO TUNNEL TOP WALK/& LUNCH