Neighbours practicing Baduanjin together on the grass at Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park in Richmond.

Member-Led Community Project · Event Recap

Slowing Down
Together in the Park

Twenty-two neighbours, a sunny patch of grass, and one gentle morning of movement. We came to learn Baduanjin, and found how naturally breathing, stretching, and simply being together can turn a park into a small community space.

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Saturday, September 5, 2026

For a little while, everyone moved at the same unhurried pace

This member-led community project took place at Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park on a beautifully clear day, with funding support from neighbourhood partners. Twenty-two people joined us, spreading out across the grass with enough room to move, watch, learn, and laugh together.

The instructor introduced Baduanjin, also known as Eight-Section Brocade, along with several gentle qigong exercises. Some were practiced standing; others could be done sitting or lying down. The movements were slow and coordinated, making the session approachable even for people who had never tried Baduanjin before.

There was something familiar in the rhythm: a little of Tai Chi, a little of yoga, and a meditative quality in the way attention kept returning to breathing and the body. No special experience was needed. People simply followed along at their own pace.

Participants extending their arms during a Baduanjin exercise on the park lawn.
Slow, coordinated movements made it easy for first-time participants to follow along.

What surprised us most

The activity did not quite stay inside the circle we planned

While our registered participants practiced together, people walking through the park began to slow down. Some stopped to watch. A few stayed for a while, and some started following the movements from the side.

That small, spontaneous moment became one of our favourite parts of the morning. There was no stage and no barrier between “the event” and “the park.” The practice was simply visible and welcoming enough that people could become curious, pause, and join in.

A community activity can be very simple: enough space to participate, something worth trying together, and a reason for strangers to stop feeling quite so strange.

Scenes from the morning

The session moved gently between different forms of qigong practice, leaving room for people to participate in the way their bodies allowed that day.

Participants lying on mats and blankets while learning a gentle qigong exercise outdoors.
Part of the session shifted from standing movements to gentle exercises that could be practiced while sitting or lying down.
A group practicing Baduanjin beneath a wide blue sky in Richmond.
Sunshine, open grass, and plenty of room to move made the park feel like a shared outdoor studio.

What we heard at the end

“Is this really the only session?”

The clearest feedback came as the session was wrapping up. Several participants asked when we might do this again. Others said they would happily return for another class.

For us, that response said a great deal. A low-barrier activity does not need to be elaborate to create connection. Traditional cultural practices can be shared through participation rather than performance: people learn by moving together, asking questions, and experiencing something directly.

We also came away with a practical lesson. Outdoor community events require some flexibility: watching the weather, thinking through backup space, and keeping the setup simple. But when the conditions come together, the openness of a public park can become part of the activity itself.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, followed along, stopped to watch, or simply helped make the park feel a little more connected that morning.

With Thanks

Member-led, supported by community partners

This free gathering was initiated by a Vancouver Shengmi member, who led the neighbourhood grant application. We are grateful to the organizations and community partners that provided funding and support.