Shen Dao Gongfu teaches traditional Chinese martial arts to empower our patients and students on their journey to whole body wellness. Since 2005, our experienced instructors have worked with students of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages to improve mobility, coordination, and strength. We invite you to join us for a class to see how qi gong and martial arts can be helpful and enjoyable for you!
Qi gong and the internal martial arts are a category of exercise and martial arts that focus heavily on the internal cultivation of a healthy and balanced system. These arts include baguazhang, xingyiquan and taiji (taichi). The foundation of these exercises are based on the effort to strengthen and empower the body and mind and correctly express the martial forms and applications. Amara and Jason have been training and teaching in the Valley since 2008. They are certified instructors in the North American Tang Shou Tao. If interested, try a class and find the exercise system that works best for you and your lifestyle at Shen Dao Gongfu.
Baguazhang is one of the four main branches of the internal arts. Much of the nature of these arts involves circular movements, including joint rotation and mobilization exercises. We begin these classes with a warmup and then progress to the forms. There is an extensive curriculum of empty-hand (single-person) and two-person forms. All ages and abilities are welcome. We primarily practice these exercises outdoors and encourage folks to dress appropriately for the season.
Xingyiquan is another main branch of the internal arts. Where much of Bagua is circular, Xingyi drives through the midline. These classes involve a format of exercises that vary with the seasons of the year and correspond with challenges to our systems. There is a strong emphasis on cultivating connected and balanced strength, ranging between slow, breath-based, and vigorous/calisthenic-type exercises. Xingyiquan challenges many aspects of fitness and strength. There is an extensive curriculum of empty-hand (single-person) and two-person forms. All ages and abilities are welcome. We primarily practice these exercises outdoors and encourage folks to dress appropriately for the season.
Taiji and qi gong are two additional practices of the internal arts. These are particularly appropriate systems for aspiring practitioners because they move at a slower pace and are more methodical, which fosters a good foundation to build upon. During training, participants will harmonize their breath and movement. Qi gong can be particularly accessible as the short-form movements generally repeat slowly, while taiji forms can sometimes be more extensive and challenging to learn. All ages and abilities are welcome. We primarily practice these exercises outdoors and encourage folks to dress appropriately for the season.
Shen Dao Gongfu teaches qi gong and internal martial arts that focus on building strength through movement from the ground up. Practicing martial arts consistently delivers a host of benefits to participants. Most of our students discover improvements in strength, mobility, and balance that positively affects their daily lives. Practitioners often find that martial arts complement our integrative therapies by offering empowering exercises to improve circulation and range of motion.
Jason Heller has been practicing martial arts since the early-2000s and Amara Heller since the late 1990’s. They feel it is a privilege to share what has been taught to them by their teachers through direct lineage transmission of the various arts. Once students have familiarized themselves with our classes and understand the progression of the practice, we encourage them to learn more about the lineage of our teachings and become a supporting member of our association, The North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
When are the classes?
Check out our online scheduler to see a full list of classes.
How old do you need to be?
We don’t have any age restrictions on our classes. As long as the student can be present and focus on class instruction, they are welcome to join us.
Do I pay for individual sessions or a package?
Students may purchase one drop-in class or a package of classes at discounted rates.
How much does it cost?
Drop-In Rate:
Package Rates:
Please inquire if there are financial concerns.
What should I wear?
All our classes meet outside. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Are there accommodations for physical limitations?
We invite all people with different abilities and experiences to participate in classes. If you have physical limitations, accommodations can be made to provide opportunities to continue practicing.
Are there different classes based on experience level?
We tailor our classes to allow different levels and abilities to participate simultaneously. We find that this inclusive system allows students to learn from each other and experience the benefits of practicing together as a community. As students progress in their abilities, we offer continued opportunities to challenge them and develop their skills.
Jason Heller is an educator and practitioner, training his students in qi gong and the internal Chinese martial arts of gong fu. Chinese medicine and martial arts are closely entwined, and Jason weaves their complimentary benefits into a diverse practice suitable for different aged groups and physical abilities. As a licensed acupuncturist and experienced instructor of various martial arts, Jason helps patients and students strengthen their minds and bodies to live healthier and move with greater ease. Jason has always been active, spending most of his childhood playing soccer, swimming, and riding bikes. He competed on the mountain biking team at Towson University while studying Psychology and pursued ACE personal training certification after he became inspired by the parallels between physical activity and mental and physical health.
After graduation, Jason moved to Arizona, where he became familiar with the area by backpacking, hiking, and biking. While out west, he took his first yoga class and subsequently went through an extensive certification process to become a yoga instructor. While pursuing his acupuncture education, his teachers introduced him to qi gong and the internal martial arts of gong fu and the way those practices work in tandem with traditional Chinese medicine. Jason has practiced qi gong and gong fu since 2005 and continues to pursue continuing education internationally, studying under notable practitioners like Li Runxi (Shanxi Xingyi), Liu Shu Hung (Gao Bagua), Li Cang (Hebei Xingyi), and Li Ding (Jing Luo Qigong). When Jason is not in the clinic or teaching martial arts, he enjoys mountain and road biking in the Shenandoah Valley, playing hockey, and spending time with his family.
Amara Heller has an extensive history training and teaching martial arts. Having been introduced to the practices as a child, she trained on and off throughout high school and college before resuming a committed practice when she joined the North American Tang Shou Tao Association in 1998. After working as a chemist for several years, Amara’s martial arts teachers encouraged her to begin teaching and soon after she decided to transition careers into Chinese medicine, which shares many foundational aspects with Chinese martial arts. She completed her Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MSAOM) in 2006, studying herbology in addition to the standard curriculum, at the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Tucson, AZ.
During her training, Amara also apprenticed clinically with a well established practitioner of Chinese medicine and martial arts, and also taught Chinese bodywork as well as Craniosacral therapy at multiple acupuncture schools and massage schools. Amara has trained internationally with many highly respected practitioners of Chinese medicine and martial arts, both domestically and internationally, including Vince Black, Li Ding, Liu Shuhang, Li Runxi, Li Cang, and Liang Kequan. In 2007, she was appointed vice president of NATSTA and fulfilled that role until 2022. She currently serves as president of the organization. She is co-founder of Shen Dao Clinic and Shen Dao Gongfu. In 2021, she co-founded the Acupuncture Medical Center with her sister Berry Franko, L.Ac. Amara enjoys spending time with her family and friends when she isn’t treating patients or training martial arts.
