www.ThePeacefulDragon.com August 2019 704-504-8866
Inside
Upcoming Events Student Promotions
Peaceful Dragon School News Students of the Month
Did You Know? Students Ask Master Sbarge
Family Program News Classifieds
Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Yoga and More
The Peaceful Dragon For the Contemporary Mind, Body and Spirit
The Peaceful Dragon has been selected “Best
Martial Arts School” by: Charlotte Parent
Magazine
The Charlotte Observer
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Did You Know?
With over 20 years in business, we maintain an A+ rating by the Charlotte Better Business Bureau.
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Message from Master Eric Sbarge
The approximate number of combined years of experience of The Peaceful Dragon’s current kung fu teachers is over 200 years, and of our tai chi teachers over 220 years. Virtually all of them have at least 10 years of experience, most have at least 20 years, and our master instructors have 40+ years under their belts (or sashes as it were).
Time in the arts is important, but I’m reminded of the quote that “Some people have 20 years of work experience, and other people have one year of work experience repeated 20 times.” I’m happy to be able to say that our instructors haven’t just learned a year or two’s material and then taught and repeated it over and over – they’ve all been training diligently for at least ten years to even learn our curriculum and become a certified teacher, and then most have continued to train hard and expand their knowledge by attending regular classes, attending the weekly disciple and instructor classes that I lead, and rarely missing workshops with world-renowned visiting masters such as Shaolin’s master Guolin Shi, Shuai Jiao grandmaster Roger Soo, world-champion Jeff Smith, and the like. So take advantage of the experience of your teachers, but more importantly do your best to emulate their dedication. The only way they can transfer their experience to you so that you can enjoy the same physical, mental and spiritual benefits they have is to come to class regularly and practice diligently. Happy Training!
“Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play.” ― Immanuel Kant
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 www.ThePeacefulDragon.com 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.
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Upcoming Events
Junior Black Sash/Disciple Sash Test Saturday, August 3
rd, 12pm
Come cheer on your classmates as they test on everything they’ve learned over the last 5 years. Good luck to our testing students, Sophia Mullis and Alex Japit!
Parents Night Out Friday, August 9
th, 6:30-9pm
August’s Parents Night Out is Back to School Buddy Bash. We encourage all friends to bring a buddy for a fun night of games and activities that will teach focus and concentration while encouraging confidence in preparation for the upcoming school year. Friends of Peaceful Dragon students must have a permission slip filled out in full before the start of the event. We suggest that you bring snacks or money for the vending machine for your child. Due to the possibility of food allergies, we cannot provide food. Please register at the front counter by no later than Thursday, August 8th so we can properly staff this event.
Our complete 2019 Special Events Calendar is now posted at http://thepeacefuldragon.com/specialevents.shtml.
Mark your planning calendar now!
“Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.”
― Alan Watts
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Equipment Needed for Classes
Weapons
Shaolin All Blocks: none
Tai Chi All Blocks: none
All Mastery and Junior Mastery students in our Kung Fu programs should always bring their full sparring equipment to every class.
Monthly Classes, Seminars
and Discussion Groups
Yoga Seminar – Thursday, August 1, 6:30-8:30pm Topic: Mudras & the Art of Communication - How to Direct your Prana Led by Yogini Diane La Croix Corah 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.
Mastery Roundtable Discussion – Tuesday, August 6, 8pm Topic: Living the Tao: Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu Open only to Mastery Program students.
Jr. Mastery Program Seminar – Saturday, August 10, 12-1pm Topic: Dealing with Bullies Open only to Junior Mastery Program students.
Lecture and Discussion – Thursday, August 15, 8pm
Topic: How to Permanently Overcome Bad Habits Presented by Master Eric Sbarge. Open to all adult and teen students.
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Peaceful Dragon School News (All Real!)
Book Chapter of the Week
Each week, every kung fu and tai chi class includes a five-minute “mat chat” discussing principles and examples from the book “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield. We are covering one chapter per week, so please read the Introduction and the first chapter for discussion. We are confident this will not only help you achieve success in your martial arts mastery, but also maximize your success in your personal and professional aspects of your life. If you have not picked up your complimentary copy of the book yet, please do so ASAP at our front service counter. 8/5 Ch. 29: Complete the Past to Embrace the Future 8/12 Ch. 30: Face What Isn’t Working 8/19 Ch. 31: Embrace Change 8/26 Ch. 32: Transform Your Inner Critic into an Inner Coach
Kuoshu Tournament in Baltimore Thanks to our instructors who went to Baltimore to volunteer as judges for the Kuo Shu Tournament. Congrats to the Troyce who medaled in several categories.
Movies at Ayrsley Grand
Here’s a list of upcoming family-friendly movies for you to enjoy! August 9 Dora and the Lost City of Gold (PG) August 16 The Angry Birds Movie 2 (PG) Playmobil: The Movie (Not Yet Rated) September 27 Abominable (PG)
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Send Us Your Event Photos or Short Video Clips If you get some nice shots of Peaceful Dragon events please send them to [email protected] for display in our newsletter and social media pages.
Did You Know…
Contrary to the popular belief that most rapes and assaults are carried out by hardened criminals (or more absurdly by immigrants), most perpetrators are actually friends, lovers or acquaintances of the victims?
Master Sbarge began his teaching in Charlotte with a handful of students who met regularly in public parks, and his plan all along has been to return to teaching students informally in parks when he someday retires from the full-time management and responsibilities of running The Peaceful Dragon?
Meditation and mindfulness training is not required to become a better person, or a better fighter, but those practices can be of great benefit for both?
Children and Family Program News
A Message from Mr. George
Training like a Black Sash is not just for during Kung Fu class time. A real martial artist
uses his or her Black Sash attitude in every situation. When we’re away to a summer
camp, or stay over at the grand parents’ for a week, the young students should be
showing their Kung Fu respect. The training of punching and kicking the basics of the
martial arts, but being helpful, respectful and kind is the higher level of the
training. When the young students are doing the “right” things when no one else is
looking over their shoulders, they have just become a Black Sash. Keep up the hard
work!
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Student Promotions
Congratulations to our students who promoted!
Young Dragons 3-6 Years Old
Orange Sash White Chevron - Kaashvi Sanjay
Orange Sash - Zander Borges Lopez
Yellow Sash Brown Chevron - Victoria Burke
Yellow Sash Purple Chevron - Amaia Pizarro
Yellow Sash Green Chevron - Noah Brady Audrey Giustozzi Nathan Gibson
Yellow Sash Orange Chevron - Derek PeBenito Greyson Evans
Yellow Sash White Chevron - Alexander Salvador Anabella Potts David Melendez
Yellow Sash - Malek Tapia
Young Dragons 7-12 Years Old
Brown Sash Level 4 - Jordan Baker
Blue Sash Level 4 - Myra Hoellein Paul Campanelli III
Blue Sash Level 3 - Sahana Sanjay Benjamin Mullis
Blue Sash Level 2 - Michelle Tan Max Tan
Purple Sash Level 2 - Hurditya Katta Kyle Hoellein
Green Sash - Alexander Kelly
Orange Sash Level 2 - Annalise Turner Nicolas Rabassa Harrison Rabassa
Danai Tsoukalas Luka Bozovic Param Parmar
Orange Sash Yellow Chevron - Summer Tan
Orange Sash - Jacob Finney Annabelle Burke Ethan Gibson Trung Nguyen
Ari Norman Zuri Norman Arden Smith Zoe Rabassa
Yellow Sash Level 2 - Phoebe Averdick Benjamin Averdick Chloe Strawn
Yellow Sash - David Sanz
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Kung Fu
Brown Sash Level 2 - Eric Dennison
Brown Sash - Alexandra Hoellein
Blue Sash Level 4 - Paul Campanelli Balamir Sahin Kieyanna Morgan
Purple Sash Level 4 - Kate Lyons
Purple Sash - Samir Masih
Green Sash Level 2 - Demico Guy
Green Sash - David Mullin Jason Baker
Orange Sash Level 2 - Dirk Hoellein Devaki Karempudi Rita Mullis Marc Gibson
Orange Sash - Corbin Mangum Tony Giustozzi Brian Smith
Michelle Monteilh Dillon Smith Leslie Wise
Yellow Sash Level 2 - Narendra Nigudkar Peter Averdick Lisa Yarrow
Michael Strawn Komala Chandran
Yellow Sash - Jennifer Allen Kristine Huynh Jennifer Cox
Tai Chi
High Advanced Level 4 - Alexandra Hoellein
High Advanced - Paul Campanelli
Low Advance Level 4 - Kieyanna Morgan Kathy Campanelli
High Intermediate Level 4 - David Brashear
High Intermediate - Jose Cardoza Alan Aronoff
Mid Intermediate Level 2 - Cathy Luben Jennifer Allen Gregg Slaughter
Mid Intermediate - Ray Spears Jason Baker Jeffrey Allen
Low Intermediate Level 2 - Tammy Ahlers Emilie Giustozzi Vaughn Weathers
Jennifer Cox Solange Perret Tony Giustozzi Linda Mullin
Low Intermediate - Macie Imholt Teresa Dessi Brian Patalocco
Novice Level 2 - Mick Mohr Parag Patil Bonnie Jones
Elliott Blackwell Doan Tran
Novice Level - Aiden Hanger Sean Henry Amanda Ritzau David Mullin
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Student of the Month Recognition
Adult Student of the Month— Sophia Mullis Runner up— Sean Henry
Runner up— Dawn Baker
Sophia always brings a positive attitude to class. She consistently trains
hard and always offers to help out with things. Good job, Sophia!
Child Student of the Month— Nicolas Rabassa
Runner up— David Sanz
Runner up— Chloe Strawn
Nicky has improved quite a bit in his focus, attitude and sparring skills. He shows his Level 10 during
class and a great example to other students! Keep up the great work Nicky!
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
2nd Kyle Hoellein 17th Lori Eidsness
4th Cheryl Telk 17th Corin Brown
4th Eric Lyons 19th Chuck Denhart
5th Teresa Dessi 19th Ari Koulpasi
5th Paul Campanelli 19th Sean Henry
5th Lucian Patalocco 20th Kate Lyons
12th Pat Rosa 21st Tameka Carpenter
12th Parag Patil 26th Maxwell Tan
13th Issac Cuthbertson 30th Malek Tapia
13th Brandi Small 31st Emilie Giustozzi
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Students Ask Master Sbarge
Question: Now that I’ve moved up into the Mastery Program, how long should I work at getting into shape before I can attend the Saturday Competition Class? Answer: The Competition Class will help you to get into better shape, so you should join it right away if you are looking to really accelerate your progress in your forms, sparring or push hands.
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.
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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
[email protected]. Pay at the front counter.
George runs two social clubs in Charlotte through Meetup.com:
http://www.meetup.com/North-
Carolina-Mountain-Biking/
http://www.meetup.com/Charlotte-Pool-Shootin-Fun-Meetup/
Mountain biking, shooting pool, hiking, trying out new restaurants or cruising
to the Bahamas!