Sheng Zhen Practice

Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Six sessions, Sept. 6, 13, 20 & 27 and Oct. 4 & 11

Upper Farnham Hall, Memorial Episcopal Church, 1407 Bolton St.

On Thursday evenings this fall, certified teacher Peter Van Buren will offer a Sheng Zhen class in the Upper Parish Hall. During the six 1-hour sessions, participants will learn a graceful and powerful form called Heaven Nature Contemplation (formerly known as Kuan Yin Standing, see this YouTube video), as well as some related standing and sitting forms.

The Heaven Nature standing form involves a series of eleven movements that are both easy to do and to learn. As the gentle movements stimulate qi to flow in the body, the practice calms the emotions, reduces stress, enlivens the spirit, and energizes the person.

Sheng Zhen is Chinese for "unconditional love". Arising from the ancient practice of qigong and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sheng Zhen Meditation is a comprehensive system of moving forms, meditations, philosophy, and contemplations that tap into the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

The weekly classes are open to everyone, and beginners are welcome to drop-in any time. As a creative fundraiser, 100% of the class proceeds go to Memorial Episcopal Church for their building & grounds fund. We suggest a donation of $10/class, or the 6 class package for $50.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Qigong can be practiced in shoes, socks or bare feet. No equipment is needed - just bring yourself and enjoy the practice of unconditional love.

Peter was first introduced to tai chi practice in 1978, studying with Paul Gallagher in Hadley Massachusetts. Over the years since then, he studied and practiced tai chi regularly, including locally with the Great River Taoist Center in Washington DC in the 1990's, and the Baltimore School of Tai Chi, at which he was an assistant teacher in the mid-2000's.

In 2005, he was introduced to Sheng Zhen and gradually turned all his attention to this new form of meditation, eventually becoming convinced that he wanted to become a teacher and share this powerful practice with others.

After logging hundreds of hours of training with Master Li, and teaching classes himself for hundreds more, Peter received his Teacher Certification in June 2016. He now teaches weekly classes in Baltimore, including a Thursday evening session at Memorial Episcopal Church in Bolton Hill.

For more information, visit Baltimore Sheng Zhen Gong here.