From Golden Light to Deep Earth: An Autumn Tea Tasting & Story Circle

From Golden Light to Deep Earth: An Autumn Tea Tasting & Story Circle

Autumn offers an invitation to slow down—to gather what has nourished us, loosen our hold on what feels complete, and make room for a quieter season.

Join tea practitioner and breathwork facilitator Yuna Lee for an afternoon of guided tea tasting, sensory exploration, and thoughtful conversation. We will journey through three distinctive Chinese teas, moving from golden brightness into roasted warmth, earthy depth, and stillness.

Each tea offers a different expression of place, craftsmanship, and time. Together, they create a gentle rhythm for noticing both what is in the cup and what is unfolding within us.

Three Teas, Three Expressions of Autumn

Mengding Huangya · 蒙顶黄芽
Yellow tea from Sichuan, China

Our journey begins with a delicate yellow tea shaped by the traditional menhuang (闷黄), or “sealed yellowing,” process. This carefully controlled resting stage softens the tea’s fresh character. We will attend to its subtle fragrance, gentle texture, and lingering finish—a quiet beginning that invites us to slow down enough to notice.

Charcoal-Roasted Tieguanyin · 炭焙铁观音
Oolong tea from Anxi, Fujian, China

Next, we explore the meeting of floral fragrance and fire. Charcoal roasting adds warmth and depth to Tieguanyin’s aromatic character. As we taste, we will notice how fragrance, roasted notes, and texture unfold across successive infusions, and how warmth changes our experience of the cup.

2007 Wuliang Mountain Ripe Pu-erh · 2007年无量山熟饼
Aged ripe Pu-erh from Yunnan, China

We conclude with a mellow, earthy ripe Pu-erh shaped by fermentation and nearly two decades of aging. Its deeper character brings our tasting toward stillness. We will explore its aroma, body, and finish, allowing time to notice what remains after the last sip.

Tea as a Practice of Presence

This gathering is both a tasting and an opportunity to experience tea through the body. Guided invitations will help you notice the warmth of the cup in your hands, the arrival of an aroma, the texture of a sip, and the sensations that follow.

There is no need to identify the “right” flavor or have a particular experience. Curiosity is enough. Through successive infusions and quiet pauses, we will give each tea—and ourselves—time to unfold.

The Story Circle

Our conversation will center on one seasonal question:

As the season turns, what are you ready to gather, release, or carry inward?

You might reflect on something worth keeping close, a responsibility you are ready to set down, or a part of yourself asking for more care. Sharing is always optional. You are equally welcome to speak, listen, or simply enjoy the tea in silence.

What to Expect

• A guided tasting of three Chinese teas, with multiple infusions
• An introduction to their origins and distinctive processing methods
• Gentle prompts for sensory awareness and personal reflection
• Quiet pauses between cups
• A welcoming story circle with optional sharing

No tea experience is necessary. Whether you are new to tea or already have a daily practice, you are welcome to arrive as you are.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 · 1:30 PM
Santa Barbara Yoga Center
Early Bird: $45 · Day of Event: $55

Enrollment: https://api.hellowalla.com/previews/148236?b=11237&type=enrollment

About Yuna

Yuna Lee is a Korean tea ceremony practitioner, breathwork facilitator, and sound healer. Trained in tea with Yi Il Hee, she brings an attentive, welcoming approach to her gatherings, inviting participants to explore tea as a practice of presence, connection, and embodied awareness.

www.iamyunalee.com