Proud Asian Men Bay Area Retreat Vol. 2 2025
Asian men are experiencing a mental health epidemic.
In 2015-2019, Asian men were the least likely to use mental health services compared to any other race and gender combination (SAMHSA, 2021).
In order to combat this, Proud Asian Men was created.
Proud Asian Men is a support group and initiative created by JinShan Collective and hosted under Asian Mental Health Project whose mission is to create a safe and brave space for Asian men to explore the intersection of their culture and masculinity in a supportive environment.
This is the second Proud Asian Men daylong mental health retreat in the Bay Area on 11/1 from 9 AM to 6 PM hosted at JACL SF.
Programming is as follows:
9-10 AM: Introduction and Ice Breakers
10-11 AM: Opening Movement/Dance Facilitation by Jackson Xia
11 AM-12 PM: Discussions led by Leo Xia
12-1 PM: Lunch
1-3 PM: Taiko Drum Facilitation by Noel Garcia
3-4:30 PM: Movement/Dance Facilitation by Jackson Xia
4:30-6 PM: Acknowledgment Circle and Closing
What you should bring:
- an open heart and mind
- journal and pen
- plenty of water
- comfortable clothes to move and dance in
Spots limited to 20 male-identifying Asians for the retreat on 11/1. If we have reached capacity, please sign up for the waitlist in case someone drops out at the last minute. This will allow us to gauge interest in future events as well.
DISCLAIMER This event is not providing professional therapy services. Please seek professional medical and mental health services for treatment needs and advice.
ABOUT LEO:
Leo Xia is a Los Angeles-based men’s work facilitator and Alt R&B/Lofi performance artist going by the name Lowhi.
He facilitates weekly men's support groups through his own company JinShan Collective as well as Proud Asian Men in collaboration with Asian Mental Health Project. He has 5+ years of experience in holding conversations about masculinity, culture and identity for Asian men. He created these spaces to combat the global male loneliness epidemic and support men in creating the life that they dream of through emotional intelligence and communication.
ABOUT JACKSON:
Jackson Xia is a dancer, video producer and facilitator striving to create playful, personalized dance art and community experiences.
He is a dancer of 15 years, a Teaching Artist at UniverSOUL Hip Hop, and the founder of Soulful Sundays, a free dance picnic that encourages dancing in nature for mental health. Compiling his dance journey, he created Soulful Shifters, empowering people to reclaim their sense of self and reconnect with their bodies by experiencing artistic expressions from street/club dance cultures.
ABOUT NOEL:
Noel Garcia (he/him) is a professional artist, educator, and visionary in the world of Taiko - Japanese drums, dedicated to using rhythm and movement as a medium for self-discovery, creative expression and healing.
With over 25 years of experience - both in the U.S. and Japan - Noel brings a deep, holistic approach to his work. As an instructor, artistic director, and composer, he founded his own taiko team (Genbu Daiko) in 2015 in San Diego, California, focusing his craft on emotional storytelling and the power of vulnerability. He cultivates safe and inclusive spaces where the drum becomes a portal to mental wellness, personal transformation, and connection to community. Through his guidance, participants are encouraged to honor Self, embrace their creativity, find harmony with others in togetherness and discover their own unique rhythm - both in taiko and in other facets of life itself.
ABOUT MICHAEL:
Michael Ly is passionate about helping people cultivate healthier, more authentic relationships with themselves and others. Over the past year, he has co-organized community events for Asian men centered on mental health, vulnerability, and collective healing. He currently leads a men's integration group (open to men of all backgrounds) in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Guided by non-hierarchical healing and community support, Michael aims to create more spaces where men can practice vulnerability and active listening—reconnecting with their full emotional potential and challenging patriarchal norms.