
Aaron Water Piepszny’s bodily presencing is profound and palpable. He draws on 25 years of somatic awareness practices as a professional dancer and educator, Buddhist studies, meditation immersions, multiple Vipassana retreats, and a wide variety of Chi Gung schools and teachings. A lifetime lover and student of nature, he was raised on a rambling few acres of yard forest in Western NY where he ate fresh pears endlessly, marveled at the powerful cottonwoods, adventured through the woods, and stared in respect and wonder at the bunnies.
He has certified with NLP master and author Jerry Stocking, Chi Gung Grandmaster Fu Wei Zhong, contact improvisation co-founder and somatic awareness pioneer Nancy Stark Smith, and deep ecologist/ Permaculturist Andrew Jones. Aaron is currently the head of horticulture at Menla, leading ecology/ herbalism walks, teaching Chi Gung, meditation, and dance.
Events with Aaron 'Water' Piepszny

August 11 - 13, 2023
Examining and practicing Buddha’s Foundations of Mindfulness, we will find connection and ease within the pristine natural environment of Menla. Exploring the Buddha’s words and teachings from the original source text, the Mahasatipatthana Sutra, we will find our own unique pathway of presence, relaxing in our bodies and with our breath. In the serene setting of the Catskills, we will connect our feeling bodies to the trees, earth, and streams, finding the wisdom and power of these elements illuminating our true nature. Rather than marathon meditation sessions, we will favor short bursts of depth explorations of breathing, relaxation, and awareness.…