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

Creative Loafing

Charlotte’s Best Magazine

Did You Know?

With over 20 years in business, we maintain an A+ rating by the Charlotte Better Business Bureau.

Like us on Facebook here!

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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 Holly@thepeacefuldragon.com 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

holly@thepeacefuldragon.com. 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!