About Us
Pulse was founded by a cross-cultural team rooted in both China and the United States. Together, we combine backgrounds in education, movement therapy, wellness, media, and product design. We thoughtfully create experiences that invite guests to discover Eastern culture through meaningful moments, genuine connection, and everyday practice.
Angel K
Founder • Movement & Vision
Since opening my first dance school in New York in 2012, I have spent more than a decade working with children, teenagers, and adults through movement and education. Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching more than a thousand students. Those experiences taught me that education is about much more than learning new skills. It is about helping people grow in confidence, discover their strengths, and become more fully themselves.
As I worked with more people, I began to notice a common thread. The biggest obstacles people faced were rarely a lack of talent or ability. More often, they were the result of stress, emotional exhaustion, imbalance, or simply losing touch with themselves. That realization led me to explore new ways of supporting people, not only as an educator, but through experiences that nurture both body and mind.
Although I built my life and career in New York, I was born in China, and over time I found myself drawn back to the wisdom of my own culture. The more I learned, the more I appreciated its quiet emphasis on balance, presence, and living in harmony with the world around us. Those values continue to shape both my life and the retreats we create at Pulse.
To me, growth doesn't come from pushing ourselves harder. It begins when we give ourselves the time and space to slow down, reflect, and simply be present. Whether in a classroom or on retreat, my purpose has remained the same: to create a welcoming space where people feel supported, encouraged, and free to reconnect with themselves in their own way.
Juliette Zhu
Product Architect • Journey & Retreat Design
Living and working across Paris, Beijing, and Hong Kong has shaped the way I see the world. Every place taught me something different, but they all shared one lesson: life moves quickly, and it's easy to lose ourselves in the process.
In 2020, I founded a media company and embraced the fast pace of building a business. I loved the challenge, but over time I realized that moving faster wasn't always the same as living well. Returning to my cultural roots gave me a new appreciation for the quiet strength found in Eastern traditions and the importance of creating space for reflection, balance, and rest.
Becoming the mother of twin daughters deepened that perspective. It reminded me that well-being isn't something we save for vacations or special occasions. It's something we need to make room for, even in the middle of busy lives.
That belief became one of the foundations of Pulse. Today, I thoughtfully design each retreat, bringing together wellness, culture, and meaningful experiences that help our guests slow down, reconnect, and experience Eastern traditions in an authentic and welcoming way.
Founder & CEO, Five to Seven Cultural Communications
Mother of Twin Daughters
Always learning to live with greater balance and intention
Yelin Chen
Cultural Bridge • Culture & Guest Care
At the age of ten, I moved from China to the United States, growing up between two cultures that continue to shape who I am today. Living between East and West has given me a deep appreciation for both perspectives and a passion for building meaningful connections between them.
After earning my Master's degree in Chinese Adolescent Education from Hunter College in New York, I spent more than six years working in education before founding a bilingual early childhood learning program. Throughout my career, I have always been drawn to creating experiences that bring people together through learning, culture, and genuine human connection.
Becoming a mother deepened my perspective on well being. It reminded me that in today's fast paced world, taking time to slow down, rest, and reconnect with ourselves is not a luxury but a necessity. To me, a meaningful retreat is not simply about traveling. It is about creating the space for people to breathe, reflect, and return home feeling lighter than when they arrived.
This belief eventually inspired me to co-create wellness experiences with a team that shares the same vision. Together, we hope authentic Eastern wellness traditions are more accessible to people from around the world while honoring the cultures they come from.
I hope every guest leaves with more than beautiful memories. I hope they leave feeling restored, inspired, and with a deeper appreciation for themselves, for others, and for the wisdom that different cultures have to offer.
Jiajia Gao
Digital Product Manager • Brand & Product Experience
For years, I told stories in different ways. I began as a film journalist covering festivals in Cannes and Busan before moving into digital product design, where I helped create experiences for millions of users. I loved building products that connected people with stories, ideas, and new experiences. Looking back, I realized I had spent so much time creating meaningful experiences for others that I had forgotten to make space for myself.
Yoga is that space. It wasn't one life-changing moment, but a practice that gradually taught me to slow down, breathe, and pay attention. Earning my RYT-200 certification enhanced that journey and reshaped the way I think about well-being. I came to see it is not as something we find once, but something we return to through the choices we make every day.
That perspective eventually led me to co-found a cultural studio and later Pulse. Today, I bring together storytelling, design, and wellness to create experiences that invite people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover a different rhythm of life. My hope is that every guest begins to feel the warmth and spirit of Pulse long before they arrive.
MFA, East China Normal University
Former Senior Product Operations Manager
RYT-200 Certified Yoga Teacher. Storyteller, designer, and lifelong student of mindful living.
Contact
Every journey begins with a conversation. Whether you're curious about our retreats or have questions along the way, we'd love to hear from you.
929-410-4759