Inside. Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Yoga and More The Peaceful Dragon For the Contemporary Mind, Body and Spirit. At a Glance

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1 Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Yoga and More The Peaceful Dragon For the Contemporary Mind, Body and Spirit April Inside Upcoming Events Peaceful Dragon School News Did You Know? Children s Program News Students of the Month Welcome New Students Disciple s Forum Students Ask Master Sbarge Holly s Recipe Corner Classifieds At a Glance What The Peaceful Dragon Offers Adult Programs Tai Chi Kung Fu Zen Meditation Yoga Asian Culture and Philosophy 2014 and 2015 Winner of TWO Charlotte Observer Reader Awards! Best Martial Arts Studio Best Yoga Studio Children s Programs Kung Fu and Leadership Classes Other Services Seminars and Presentations School Field Trips Community Demonstrations Corporate Team Building Like us on Facebook:

2 Message from Master Eric Sbarge While we all learn from others, a few words of caution: Don t get your financial advice from your twice-bankrupt uncle on food stamps; don t turn to a Buddhist monk or Catholic priest for marriage counseling; don t trust Joe the Plumber for political guidance or a Harvard Law School graduate to fix your leaky pipes; don t ask your auto mechanic with three kids in college what kind of maintenance you should get done on your car; don t ask a surgeon whether surgery is your best option I would complete this list, but I ve got other plans for the rest of my life. The point is, always learn from others, but be sure to distinguish between learning what to do -- and what not to do. In martial arts and yoga, everybody has an opinion and everybody has something to teach you. But that doesn t mean you should follow their advice or accept everything they teach you. Sometimes you should observe what they say and do, and then figure out how to do the exact opposite. If your tai chi buddy explains how yin and yang theory can bring more balance to your life, but he models it by drinking six shots of bourbon every night and six espressos every morning, exercise caution. If your yoga friend cries while she tells you how happy yoga has made her, give her a tissue but don t take her advice. If your kung fu teacher waxes poetic about the peace and harmony kung fu offers, but then describes how just this past week he has totally fuc*ed up eighteen different people using eighteen different techniques while out drinking bourbon with your tai chi buddy, you might find an alternate source for harmony lessons. Remember that advice is free, but few of us can afford most of the advice that s offered. Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own. Bruce Lee If you are not a current student of The Peaceful Dragon, there are many ways to improve your mind, body and spirit through the programs available at The Peaceful Dragon. Visit and click on Adult Classes or Children s Classes. You can then register for a Free Semi-Private, No- Obligation Introductory Class and an Introductory Tour. 2

3 Upcoming Events CACMA Tournament Saturday, April 2, all day All students are encourage to attend the Carolina s Association of Chinese Martial Arts Queen s Cup Tournament. There are categories for all ages and skill level. Even if you aren t competing, go to support your classmates. This is an excellent learning experience where you can see many different forms and styles. NOTE: The Peaceful Dragon will be closed since most of our instructors and senior students will be attending the tournament. Shuai Chiao 10 Week Course Begins Wednesday, April 6, 8-9:15pm Shuai Chiao is a type of Chinese wrestling that involves sweeps and takedowns. This series of classes is open to Mastery Program students only, aged teen and up. Regular attendance of this course will provide a solid base foundation for beginners and expand the skills of advanced students. There is no charge for this course, since it s already included in your tuition. Please sign up at the front counter, as a minimum of 8 students is required to hold this class. Spring Yoga Workshop Saturday, April 9, 1-5pm Join Marayogini for a workshop introducing the yogic meanings of Fascia, Flexibility and Freedom. The group will explore the concepts and practices that underscore yogic transformation via tensegrity, conductivity and the inherent patterning repeated throughout the human complex. Students will come away with a new understanding of the channels (nadis) of the body both on a physical, energetic and mental level. This will all be explained through the vehicle of Samkhya Philosophy and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This workshop is free to all Peaceful Dragon students, and to the public for a fee of $49. Please register at our front desk by April 2nd. We require a minimum of 6 confirmed students to hold this workshop. 3

4 Children s Promotion Ceremony Saturday, April 9, 11am Makeup Promotion Thursday, April 21, 5:30pm Congratulations to all of our testing children. Parents Night Out Friday, April 21, 6:30-9pm This month s Parents Night Out is Friday Night Lights. All students are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite team s uniform. Whether professional or college football, basketball, baseball, or cheerleading, we are going to have an exciting night. They will learn team work and organization while playing awesome sports games with a kung fu twist. Please register at the front counter no later than Thursday, April 20 th so we can properly staff the event. Shaolin Workshop with Venerable Guolin Shi Friday-Sunday, April Nicknamed the Iron Arhat, Venerable Guolin Shi was the former head monk and teacher at China s famed Shaolin Temple who is world-renowned for his expertise in all facets of Shaolin training. He is a long-time friend of The Peaceful Dragon, and while he rarely travels from his own Overseas Shaolin Temple in New York, he has led nearannual workshops here at The Peaceful Dragon. Shaolin includes the practices of Chan (Zen) meditation, qigong (energy work), internal and external forms of kung fu, and much more. This comprehensive workshop is ideal for students who have at least some experience in tai chi, kung fu or qigong, though beginners with no experience are still welcome and can surely benefit from it. The curriculum in this workshop will include a combination of traditional Shaolin qigong and meditation, empty-hand forms, and self-defense techniques and applications. You will learn an Internal/External form called Shaolin Chang Hu Xin Yi Men Quan Form. Workshop hours: Friday 6-9pm; Saturday 9-5pm; and Sunday 10-4pm. Early-bird savings before April 9: Public $299, Peaceful Dragon introductory-level students and their families $229, Peaceful Dragon mastery-level students $199. After April 9 add $25. 4

5 Children s Class with Venerable Guolin Shi Saturday, April 23, 12-1pm Master Guolin will teach a special one hour Children s Class for our little and young dragons on Saturday, April 23 from 12-1pm. Sign up today for this exciting opportunity. Early Bird Special is just $25! After April 1st add an additional $10. Children 8 years and older, Green Sash and above, are welcome to attend the entire weekend workshop. Register Now for 100-Hour Level One Yoga Teacher Training Course This May With Andrey Lappa, Founder of Universal Yoga May 28 June 7, 2016 Andrey Lappa, founder of the Universal Yoga system taught at The Peaceful Dragon, will be leading 100-hour teacher training courses right here at The Peaceful Dragon in For details see the Yoga Institute section of our website at Plan Now for Our Mountain Tai Chi Retreat This September Friday-Sunday, September 30 th -October 2 nd Relax and rejuvenate while enjoying intensive instruction and practice in the Chinese arts of tai chi and pakua, complemented with sessions of qigong, Zen meditation and yoga. Led by Master Eric Sbarge, director and head instructor of The Peaceful Dragon in Charlotte, NC, the retreat will be held at the beautiful YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC, just 10 minutes from Asheville. Suited for beginners or advanced practitioners, from teens to senior citizens, the retreat includes all instruction, comfortable lodging, and all meals except for Saturday evening when you ll have free time to explore downtown Asheville or simply relax on your own in the wooded mountains with hundreds of acres and many beautiful vistas and trails. We have a limited number of rooms available, register early! 5

6 Early-bird savings by September 1, 2016: Double occupancy: $550 public; $425 for Peaceful Dragon and affiliated schools students AND their family members! (We will gladly assign you a roommate if you wish). Single occupancy: $670 public; $545 for Peaceful Dragon and affiliated schools students or family members. After September 1st if there are still openings available, add $75. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot. Full payment must be received no later than September 20th. Our complete 2016 Special Events Calendar is at Mark your planning calendar now! Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. Lao Tzu APRIL BIRTHDAYS 10 th Fernando Orbegoo 18 th Carrie Chun 12 th Dean McDaniel 19 th Angela Ingram 12 th Don Kodzai 19 th De Edda Powell 12 th Brad McAlister 21 st Dale Saufley 14 th Andy Barber 21 st Hurditya Katta 14 th Gabriel Jugan 28 th Frank Farro 15 th Nancy Lonsbury 29 th Hugh Harris 16 th Zoe Newell 6

7 Monthly Classes, Seminars and Discussion Groups Mastery Roundtable Discussion Tuesday, April 5, 8-9pm Topic: Advanced Breath Cultivation Practices Open only to Mastery Program students. Lecture and Discussion Thursday, April 14, 8pm Topic: Comparing and Contrasting Martial Arts Styles Presented by Master Eric Sbarge. Open to all adult and teen students. Jr. Mastery Program Seminar Saturday, April 16, 12-1pm Topic: Open only to Junior Mastery Program students. Future Instructors Saturday, April 23, 11am Open only to Junior Mastery Program students. Yoga Seminar Thursday, April 28, 6:30-8:30pm Topic: Mandala (cross-mat) with Emphasis on Arm Balancing Presented by Yogini Mara Healy. Open to all teens and adults: FREE for Peaceful Dragon students, $29 for guests. Note: There will be no regular yoga classes on the evenings of the monthly yoga seminars. Equipment Needed for Classes Adults Shaolin Block C : Broadsword Shaolin Block D: Jien Tai Chi Block C and D: Staff Kids 4-7 year olds: White Sash and above: Single Stick 8-12 year olds: White Sash and above: Double Stick 7

8 Peaceful Dragon School News Great Work by Our Students on Quarterly Cleanup Day Many thanks to all of our students and family members who pitched in for our Spring quarterly cleanup day, and a special thanks to our student Sherry Kordecki who brought in her professional carpet cleaning service for us. The place looks great thanks to your efforts! Just Added: Autumn 200-Hour Teacher Training Led by Our Director of Yoga Studies, Mara Healy, Right Here at The Peaceful Dragon The training group meets each weekend for a total of 9 weekends. Each weekend is a 20 hour commitment with reading assignments, guided asana practices, lecture, discussions, and detailed explanations on how to both deepen your personal yoga practice while also laying the foundation for being a skillful yoga teacher. You do not have to want to teach in order to join the program! Check the yoga page for the weekend dates and more information, to be posted soon! Tuition Investment Non-refundable deposit of $500 is due with the application/registration form. Tuition Investment is $2600 if paid in full by July 31st, After July 31st, tuition is $2800. Your deposit is applied to the full tuition. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido 8

9 Send Us Your Event Photos or Short Video Clips If you get some nice shots of Peaceful Dragon events please send them to for display in our newsletter, social media pages and our new upcoming lobby-area TV! Did You Know Shuai Chiao (Chinese grappling) is the oldest recorded martial arts style in China? Even wheel-chair-bound people can practice tai chi and yoga, since these are arts of the mind and breath and the body is secondary? A large glass of water with lemon or apple cider vinegar first thing upon waking is one of the healthiest habits you can develop? Be sure the water is room temperature or warm, not cold. Children s Program News A Message from Mr. George This month Master Guolin will be here for a kung fu workshop with us. I ve known Master Guolin since in 1993 when I was still in high school, and he is one of the top Shaolin Masters in the world. The workshop will be 3 days for the Teens and Adults. Saturday there will be an hour class for the younger students to train with Master Guolin. The signup sheets are at the front counter. I m fortunate to be Master Guolin s translator at his kung fu workshops over the years. Though he teaches in English language in New York area, but he s more comfortable to teach in Chinese. I believe Master Guolin is 51 years this year and he started training when he was 3 years old. At the age of 27, he was the Head Trainer at the famed Shaolin Temple s Kung Fu Demo Team. The National Geographic and Discovery Channel had featured Shaolin Temple, often the young Master Guolin is in the video showing his skills. I hope all the students here can attend Master Guolin s workshop this month. Powerful Words This month s Powerful Word is Manners! Manners means polite words and respectful actions that show other people that they matter. Dr. Robyn s letter to the parents discusses how to encourage your children to learn proper manners. 9

10 Student of the Month Recognition Adult Student of the Month Wayne Johnson 1 st runner up Pike Pullen 2 nd runner up Gina Granda-Huaylinos Child Student of the Month Maitland Vanourny 1 st runner up Nelly Hokstam 2 nd runner up Haniya Suleiman Welcome New Students Congratulations to all of our new students! Tai Chi: Aparna Swaminathan Kevin Spitzmiller Marc Sizemore Kung Fu: Kimberly Gerace-Mason Nicole Miller William McLean Aaron Savage Karthik Kannan Rebecca Ruddy Young Dragon: Raghav Karthik Congratulations to our promoting students! Tai Chi Block A to Block B: Lisa Messerschmidt Shaolin Block A to Block B: Paul Campanelli Felipe Anthony Clayton Vail Jon Hall Taylor Riley 10

11 Disciple s Forum Just Beginning By Disciple Katherine Snider I am still getting used to the idea of being a Disciple. The time went by so quickly. The time from my days as a white shirt (when I had a regular spot on the back row by the drums) to now has been five years. Yet I still feel like a beginner. When I first started in tai chi, I couldn't get through 50 raise and lower palms without huffing and puffing. There were times I was sure I would never get all the way through "Push the Mountain, Move the Sea" or the first part of the solo form. Or the second part. Or the third part. But I did. And I don't huff and puff as much. What got me through it? My instructors' encouragement, other students' encouragement, Sifu's support, and showing up. I attend The Peaceful Dragon for more than physical fitness. I know that I need mental exercise and discipline as much as I need physical exercise - healthy body, healthy mind. The tai chi, yoga and meditation classes give me that and more. With the knowledge that these are life-long arts, I have settled in for the ride. I'll have this body and this mind till the end, so I might as well stretch them and flex them, keep them limber and flexible. Even when it hurts (which it often does because I have arthritis and I work at a computer all day), when it's hard, when it's boring, when I get frustrated, embarrassed and tired. Because for every bit of effort I put in there is a benefit that I get out of it. When I apply tai chi principles to my tai chi, the effect is positive - I slow down, control my movements and breathing, calm my mind (or put my thoughts on a shelf and just go with it), and things start to flow. Things start to make sense and then learning happens. That's when it feels fun and rewarding. I know that coming back, showing up, practicing - whether it's fun or not - really does make a difference. What's next now that I'm a Disciple? More of the same. In the scheme of things, at five years I guess you could say I'm now a toddler. I know enough to get around on my own and to feed myself (by practicing what I've been taught, asking questions, reading and studying), but I still have a lot to learn. Forms, applications, breathing, the myriad subtleties of every stance and technique, and attitude. Like a toddler, I still have a short attention span, I get impatient (with myself), and sometimes I'd rather throw down my toys and go home than sit still and try something hard. Lucky for me, like a toddler who learns from her older siblings, I have my elder Peaceful Dragon brothers and sisters to watch and to emulate. I see the focus they give to their practice. I see how Wu De binds them and the instructors and all of us in a respectful teaching community. I see that we are all students and we are all teachers, no matter what level we're at. When I get 11

12 to 10 years, I'll be an older big sister, but I'll still be just a kid in terms of a lifetime of practice. What a great way to stay young while getting older. Students Ask Master Sbarge Question: I feel like I can barely do the fundamental postures in yoga, and when I see Mara or some of the other teachers doing the advanced moves so easily, I feel like it s hopeless. Is yoga hopeless for me? Answer: Doing the asanas (postures) like Mara or anyone else does them may be hopeless for you. Or you may be able to do them some day. But truthfully, the entire premise of your question misses the mark. Yoga is a practice of developing the mind to elevate the spirit. The development of the body and breath is simply to serve the development of the mind and spirit. The outward appearance of the postures is incidental to your awakening of your spirit. Do we rejoice in a great work of Shakespeare because of how beautiful his calligraphy was when he wrote it? So why equate your possibilities of awaking your spirit, which is yoga s true purpose, based just on the appearance of your postures? Holly s Recipe Corner Shepherd s Pie This recipe is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes. Ingredients for Pie Filling ½ pound dry brown lentils 1 bay leaf 2 c. water 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 diced onion 1 c. diced carrot 1 c. diced celery 1/3 c. flour salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp. paprika 1/8 tsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. crushed rosemary 3 cloves minced garlic 1 tbsp. tomato paste 1 tsp. sriracha ¼ c. chopped parsley (reserve 1 tbsp. for garnish) 1 c. frozen peas 1 c. corn 2 ½ c. water 12

13 Ingredients for Potato Crust 2 pounds potatoes 1 clove garlic, whole ½ c. milk ¼ pound shredded white cheddar Instructions Peel and quarter the potatoes. Place them in a large pot with the garlic clove and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. Rinse and clean the lentils. Use caution as sometimes there are small stones in the bag! Place the lentils and bay leaf in a pot with 2 cups of water. Cook until the lentils are tender, but not mushy. Drain well and remove the bay leaf. Set aside. In a large pan, drizzle in the oil and start the onions over medium heat. Sauté until the onions start to soften. Add the carrot and celery. Cook an additional 3 minutes. Add the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cinnamon, rosemary, garlic, tomato paste, and sriracha. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender crisp. The flour should soak up most of the liquid and become like a paste. This is the start of the gravy. Add the lentils, parsley, peas, corn, and water and continue to cook until the broth starts to thicken. Remove from heat. When the potatoes finish cooking, drain thoroughly. Mash the potatoes and now tender garlic clove together. Add the milk and shredded cheese, mashing until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Lightly butter or spray an oven safe casserole dish. Evenly spread the lentil and vegetable filling in the dish. Carefully top with spoonfuls of the potatoes. You want to spread them to an even crust without mixing them with the filling. Add some texture if desired. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 375 for minutes, until the potatoes start to turn golden brown and the gravy bubbles on the sides. Sprinkle with the reserved parsley for garnish and enjoy! Mission Statement for The Peaceful Dragon Our mission is to help each of our students reach his or her fullest potential for physical, mental and spiritual development through the teaching of traditional Asian health arts and martial arts. We accomplish this by offering the most authentic and effective curriculum, by providing the best possible service to our students and their families, and by maintaining a warm and caring family environment in which every student, guest, and staff member is treated with respect, dignity and love. 13

14 Classifieds Your ad could be here! Text and graphics, a scan of your business card, or artwork you submit. The cost is $5 for students, $10 for the public. Send your copy to holly@thepeacefuldragon.com. Pay at the front counter. George runs two social clubs in Charlotte through Meetup.com: Carolina-Mountain-Biking/ Pool-Shootin-Fun-Meetup/ Mountain biking, shooting pool, hiking, trying out new restaurants or cruising to the Bahamas! 14 Planning to buy something for the house or garden, indulge a favorite pastime, or get that hot new DVD or the latest gadget? Consider shopping through Amazon first, where you ll find competitive pricing on everything PLUS - through arrangement between The Peaceful Dragon and Amazon a percentage of your purchase goes to help our school flourish. Get what you want and support your school, too! Go to: thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml and use Search Amazon.com in the upper right corner to find the products you want.