February, 2003

Message from Master Eric Sbarge
Director and Head Instructor

Happy "Chinese" New Year to you and your families. Hopefully you were all able to enjoy our new-year celebration dinner. I congratulate those Peaceful Dragon students who were promoted during the ceremonies. Those who have trained here at least a year are eligible to be considered for promotion to "official" student, and if promoted will be listed on the family tree with A.C.C.S. lineage. Those who have trained at least five years are eligible to become "disciples," which is a significant achievement and is specially recognized and honored on the family tree.

The strength of any school is measured not by the number of people who sign up, but by the number who continue to train and develop themselves, and in turn help newer students to start the journey. I am delighted to see so many students advancing within our ranks, and I know that bodes well for the future of the arts we teach and for the future of The Peaceful Dragon.

Again, congratulations to those of you who were promoted, but also a word of caution: Avoid complacency. Progress stops when you stop, so whatever your level keep training and don't be fooled into thinking you've learned it all. Enjoy the process of self-cultivation right up until your last breath - after which you can lie down and relax...hopefully.

Special Announcements

Promotions

The following "new" students after one year of practice are now formally recognized as Peaceful Dragon students on the traditional path of self-cultivation.

The following "older" students who have been on the path for five years now join our other Disciples.

Congratulations to all promoted students. Young Dragons have separate testing and promotions throughout the year that adult students do not. However, Young Dragons are still promoted exactly like adults on the ACCS lineage family tree, so some of those named above are children in the Young Dragons program.

Sifu's Monthly Lecture

This month's lecture is on Wednesday, February 5th at 7:30pm. The topic is "Wu-de." Topic March 5th is "Personalizing Your Training Schedule." Please plan to attend.

Students should know:

If you've moved, or changed phone or email we can't reach you and you may be missing out. If you are out of touch and don't want to be, please give your updated info to george as soon as you can.

Lots of exciting events are already planned for 2003. A flier listing them is enclosed with this newsletter. Those that are coming up soon are described in more detail below. Continue to read the newsletter for information about valuable and one-of-a-kind opportunities.

Workshops and Events

Master Park Here in March

Many of you have had the chance to study with Master Park in the past. As you know, our school has a very special relationship with this top international Pakua expert. Those who have not experienced one of his workshops won't want to miss this. Saturday, March 15th, 11am - 5pm, Master Park will conduct a comprehensive workshop open to beginners and experienced practitioners, offering challenging information and applications for all.

The cost is an unbelievably low $100. And for those interested, Master Park will do an intense, special self-defense application seminar Friday, March 14th, 7pm - 9pm for just $30.

Take both classes for only $120. As usual, add $20 if you wait until the day of the workshop. Make your plans now, since this workshop fills up fast!

All-Day Tai Chi Retreat

Many of you have been to our annual four-day mountain tai chi retreat in the fall and it's always been given an enthusiastic and unqualified thumbs-up by everyone. Now that we have our own beautiful facility and surroundings we are offering the first ever one day tai chi retreat at The Peaceful Dragon.

If the mountains were always too far away, here's your chance to discover the benefits and fun of intensive focus for an entire day of tai chi training with no distractions.

This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students whether you have studied tai chi or not. Beginners will receive detailed support on fundamentals; advanced students will learn several new push-hands patterns and self-defense applications as well as rigorous training of the solo form.

Join us, February 22nd from 8:30am to 8:30pm. Students, sign up early for just $29, public $69. After February 18th, add $10.

Lunch and dinner tickets are available for $6.50 each. Remember that the regular menu is closed to workshop attendees; however you may bring your own vegetarian meals if you wish.

Annual Mind & Body Fitness Festival

Saturday, March 23rd, Noon - 6pm FREE classes, demonstrations, talks and exhibits, with the Carolinas' leading experts in:

Students will want to plan now because this event, which gathers alternative health experts from all over the Carolinas. It's a Peaceful Dragon tradition and always crowded. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer setting up booths, doing demos for the public, talking with the curious, signing up new students, making copies, and so on. It's going to be a wonderful day to showcase our new building and grounds so bring your family and friends and enjoy!

Workshop with Grandmaster

Set the dates of May 16-18 aside for the training opportunity of a lifetime. While this is still a few months away, as a Peaceful Dragon student attending this intensive workshop with your Grandmaster should be of the highest priority, not just because wu-de (Chinese martial ethics) presumes strong support of your school's Grandmaster, but because you are guaranteed to be overwhelmed with new and valuable knowledge that you will mine for years to come. And you'll have a great time.

This three day workshop is designed for every Peaceful Dragon student younger or older. Focus will be on tai chi applications and chi kung for tai chi students, and for those wanting more rigorous kung-fu training Grandmaster will teach self-defense against knives, guns and other street weapons. In case you were not aware, in addition to being a world-renowned kung-fu expert, Grandmaster is a certified FBI weapons instructor and spent 20 years teaching tactical self-defense to the county police force of New York.

For Young Dragons, Grandmaster will for the first time hold a special one-hour class tailored to their needs and capabilities. This is a super opportunity that no Young Dragon should miss out on. Prices and schedule, etc, will be announced soon.

Valentine's Day Dinner Celebration

The Peaceful Dragon is presenting a romantic candle-lit gourmet dinner February 14th with seating anytime between 5 and 9PM. Reservations are required. The meal includes:

• a complimentary bottle of wine or champagne, or a pot of our finest exquisite tea
• Love Potion for Two appetizer
• Rocket Salad with shaved fennel ice and vanilla oil
• Creamy parsnip soup
• Braised artichokes stuffed with shitake and hazelnuts served with a saffron cream, or Jasmine rice cakes with wild mushroom, leeks and asparagus ragout
• Banana wontons with coconut cr�me anglaise, raspberry sorbet and chocolate truffles.

During the evening, also receive a free Lovers Horoscope reading by Rachel Pennington, a local astrologer and long-time friend of The Peaceful Dragon.

The price for the evening: a mere $75 per couple. Make your plans early. Call 704 504 8866 to reserve your "love"ly experience.

International Dinner Series

Our own fine student and chef, Geoff Bragg, has created an International Gourmet Dinner Series for those of you who enjoy truly special vegetarian dining.

There will be four dinners in the annual series, with the first being held on March 4th and featuring cuisine from the Mediterranean. The other three dinners will include specialties from South Asia, Latin America, and East Asia. Each dinner will include multiple courses with a specially-selected regional wine available to complement the meal.

What's Up?

• Our first ever gardening day is scheduled for Sunday, February 16th from 10am to 3pm. Help prepare the beds, plant, weed and water, and then share in the fruits - and vegetables - of your labor! In the Taoist tradition, martial artists were close to the earth, so an organic vegetable garden can be a useful and fun part of your training.

• Visit the peaceful dragon at this site, www.thepeacefuldragon.com, courtesy of hard work from Kathy Crowe. She's done an outstanding job of developing and improving our website. This and past newsletters are always posted there, along with event information and lots more.

• Flight miles for monks is a wonderful idea proposed by Sifu's wife Debra as a way to provide travel solutions for world-renowned monks who would love to come to The Peaceful Dragon. Debra envisions a series of lectures and workshops by visiting monks from various traditions to teach the principles of meditation, Zen mind, Tibetan philosophy and more. We have many excellent contacts around the world but no money for transportation. Perhaps you have frequent flyer miles for a monk? If you would be willing to contribute to this plan, please contact Debra as soon as possible.

Young Dragons

Congratulations to Our Recently Promoted Young Dragons

Congratulations to recently promoted Young Dragons. 4-6 years old, White Sash was awarded to Aine Grady, Julian Moreno and Andrew Weaver. 7-10 years old, Yellow Sash was awarded to Billy Carr, Jr.

The next promotion will be on Saturday, March 1st, time to be announced. Eligible Young Dragons will get a letter with all the details including a form that must be signed, parents, and returned by noon, February 22nd.

Make your plans now for our "Spring Fling" and celebration/promotion day on Saturday, April 26th. There'll be a lot more games and activities for Young Dragons and their friends. If you missed our New Year's celebration, here's another chance to get in on the fun!

Volunteering

Not everyone "gets it" but that doesn't matter. The Peaceful Dragon is a traditional school in which the students have always taken care of everything possible so the teacher could "just teach." We don't quite do that here, but it's close and there is a lot to do.

You can help by signing on with one or more action committees without any obligation, and if you're contacted by one of our committee heads, you're free to say yes or no depending on your own schedule. Help more directly by volunteering for events or other regularly scheduled activities that are announced in this newsletter. Check out the bulletin boards regularly.

Plan to help with our quarterly cleanup and maintenance day, Sunday, March 2nd. Your school needs your help. Work begins at 10am, with a second crew starting at 3pm to do carpet cleaning and other jobs that can only be done after we close. Just mark your calendar, set the alarm and be there. See ya there!

A volunteer board next to the women's bathroom lists things that must be done on a regular schedule and you can help with any of these at any time without waiting to be called. Volunteering is a vital part of Wu-de, the martial code of ethics by which all students of traditional schools abide.

Dragon Classified Ads

The Attorney is In!
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Office: 704-665-6363
1101 Tyvola Rd., Suite 202
(Tyvola @ South Blvd.)

NOW Vitamins and Health Supplements
Ask at the front counter about NOW brand vitamins and health supplements, available to students at a big discount. These are among the best products on the market, carefully researched and offered as a benefit for Peaceful Dragon students.

Massages!
Debbie Nelms is offering one-hour massage therapy for Peaceful Dragon students only at the on-going special price of $65. Call 704-564-2179 to schedule your session.

Your ad can be here too! Forty words for $10. Got a lot to say? Up to forty more words, add $5.

My Peaceful Dragon Experience

Share your experience with us. What does The Peaceful Dragon mean to you? How has it affected your life? Many students have had wonderful stories to tell...doesn't yours belong here too? Leave your copy with George or email the editor, bmk@carolina.rr.com

Words to Light Your Path

"The PURPOSE of life is to discover your gift. The MEANING of life is to give your gift away."
David Viscott

The strength of any school is measured not by the number of people who sign up, but by the number who continue to train and develop themselves, and in turn help newer students to start the journey.