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September, 1999 Message From Sifu Eric Sbarge Everyone knows the expression, "Charity starts at home." It's all well and good to give of your time and resources to your friends, co-workers and community - but not if it means neglecting your own family. In the conventional sense, this insightful expression reminds us to love and be charitable towards our family members first, and then spread our good will outwards. But taken a step further, the expression can have a more profound meaning. "Charity starts at home." What is home? Is home our house and family? If our families left us today and took our houses with them, would we be homeless? Or is home something deeper and more substantial than any footings for a house or marriage certificate could ever be? Miss something? Here are previous newsletters: August, 1999 June/July, 1999 May, 1999 April, 1999 March, 1999 February, 1999 Home is that source from which we came and to which we will return. Home is the center within each of us where we can feel rooted, secure and at peace. Home is that state of being where we remain connected to that which is eternal and universal. Home is God, Tao, Christ, Buddha - choose the language you are most comfortable with. I firmly believe that charity must start at our real home. Our love, generosity and sacrifice can't simply be on the surface, and can't be limited to our familiar and mundane relationships. Our real love and devotion has to be to God, or Tao, that which is eternal and universal. As creatures of the Tao, we must first show love and charity towards ourselves and care deeply about our own well-being. When we are well cared for from our own inner wellsprings, there is no limit to the charity we can show to our families and beyond. Remember that if your personal account is bankrupt, all the charitable donations you make will be nothing but bounced checks. When charity begins at our real home, it knows no bounds and has infinite resources. Simply meditating, or praying, or practicing tai chi can be a great act of charity at home - home being your inner self, a part of God, a part of each of us. What's New? Editor's Note: The primary goal of The Peaceful Dragon is to promote Asian culture. In our efforts to offer all the quality programs possible, conflicts over limited times, and the available space, are inevitable. Please pay extra attention to the special classes and workshops as you read this newsletter, because several dates have unavoidably been changed. I have noted the occurrence of these changes, We apologize for any inconvenience these changes cause to anyone, and ask for your continued support of the excellent opportunities we offer. Also especially read the new info for the tai chi retreat - dates are the same. Medical Chi Kung: An intensive Medical Chi Kung Workshop will be led by Sifu Eric Sbarge on Saturday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 24th. (NEW DATE) Emphasis will be on teaching practical medical chi kung (qigong) methods to help you maintain your health, or to help you overcome current illnesses and diseases. Discover for yourself how the mind impacts the health and balance of your vital internal organs, and how the state of these organs affects the state of your mind. Learn why dozens of "symptoms" may really be indications of greater illness or imbalance in the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys or digestive system, and learn specific exercises and meditations to help you overcome such ailments. Sifu Sbarge brings to this workshop two decades of experience as a student and teacher of chi kung, tai chi, meditation and yoga health arts. Many of the exercises to be presented are those of Master Liang Shou-Yu, a Chinese "coach of excellence" and author of the authoritative book Qigong Empowerment. Master Liang has practiced chi kung for more than fifty years, and has traveled extensively throughout China visiting hospitals and seeking the most effective chi kung methods. Sifu Sbarge holds a medical chi kung teaching certificate from Master Liang. Sifu recommends that interested students buy "Qigong Empowerment" before the workshop. The book is available from The Peaceful Dragon and major bookstores. Master Liang+s accompanying videos will also be available at the workshop at discounted prices. Workshop dates/times: Saturday, October 23rd from 1 - 6pm. Sunday, the 24th from 10am - 6pm. Prices: $199 public, $149 members, and $99 for Peaceful Dragon students. Lunch on Sunday is included. Chinese Language Classes are back. Beginning Mandarin is on Thursdays starting Sept 16th. Intermediate Mandarin is on Mondays starting September 20th. Time for both courses is 6:30 - 8:30pm. Cost is $119 for students, $139 for members, and $159 for the public. (NEW DATE) Young Dragon News: It's good to see a lot of our Young Dragons back from their summer vacations. There are many new students who joined this summer as well. If you're one of the newer students, welcome! You can get into the swing of things quickly by following the example of those who have been here longer, and asking them questions. You "long-timers" have a great wu-de opportunity to help newer students and be a good example. This will make a good year for everyone! Parents, we have lots of training equipment on sale, even kid-size heavy bags! For younger Dragons, come and check out our "kid kick" bags. The larger one - regularly priced at $49.95 - is only $29.95. The smaller one, which comes with top and bottom attachments and junior size gloves is a bargain at $17.95 (normally $29.95). For older Dragons who might need adult size bags, we're offering a huge discount on the full size heavy bag. Usually priced at $79.95, save $30 and buy one now for $49.95. Please understand that our regular student discount has already been included in these prices, and we expect these bags will sell out quickly so get yours soon! Reminders Go Club continues to grow. Come and find out what this perennially popular game is all about the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 4pm right after tai chi class. Mahjong players are meeting every other week on Wednesday for lunch around noon, and Tuesday for dinner around 6pm on the alternate weeks. Have a nice meal and play this classy game. Tai Chi Retreat: It's HERE, folks, the First Annual Peaceful Dragon Tai Chi Retreat. Four great days of training and learning, from Friday, September 10th - Monday, September 13th at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. Public $499, members $399, and students just $299 - price includes food and lodging. If you plan to learn the tai chi saber form and basics, you will need a saber. Inexpensive wooden and fine metal sabers will be available at The Peaceful Dragon before the retreat. NOTE: All sessions will be taught in school uniform, and many of them will be demanding, so plan accordingly and bring plenty of extra t-shirts. You might want a sweat-shirt for chilly evenings too. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success workshop was cancelled due to very low enrollment. There may be another opportunity later. The 3rd Annual Tai Chi and Asian Health Arts Fair is coming the first weekend in October. Tai Chi, Shaolin and Lion Dance demos, display booths and open discussion with the area's top Asian health experts, and a chance to hang out at the coolest place in Charlotte. The feng shui will do you good! Details to follow. Feng Shui: The Intermediate Course (NEW DATE) is scheduled to run Wednesdays for 6 weeks beginning September 15th.Ý Cost is $169 students and members, $199 public, and you must have completed the 12-week basic course to take it. There are still two 4-week courses (NEW DATE) scheduled back-to-back, Wednesdays starting September 14th- "Feng Shui For Business" followed by "Feng Shui For Your Home." Both courses are $89 members and students, $129 public and can be taken independently with no pre-requisite. Times are unchanged: 6:30 - 8:30pm. Dragon Classified Ads To place an ad, leave your copy and $10 payment for up to 40 words at the front counter. Each additional 40 words is $5 more. You can call your ad in and charge it to your credit card if you prefer; just ask for George or Wes. Lisa Gianikos NATIONALLY CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPIST Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Relaxation, Sports Massage, Aroma Therapy. LMT, NCTMB, Member AMTA. Huntersville, NC. Gift Certificates available. Will consider bartering. (704) 948-3811. "Where there is Balance, there is Peace." Enjoy a therapeutic massage in the comfort of your home. Massage is one of the oldest methods of healing, good for the mind, body and spirit. Phyllis Noble, CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPIST, 587-9661. ROOMMATE NEEDED to share large house. $400/month plus 1/3 utilities.Ý Large training area; quiet neighborhood. Non-smoker. No pets. 442-8479 Tom & Lisa Brien. Words to Light Your Path "T'ai Chi Ch'uan's effectiveness as a method of combat and its effectiveness as a health activity both result from common training methods. ... Students in the beginning stages of learning the principles should focus [on lightness, slowness, circularity and eveness.]" - Xu Zhi Yi in the August, 99 Tai Chi magazine. To contact The Peaceful Dragon: Call: (704)-544-1012 Write: The Peaceful Dragon 8324 Pineville-Matthews Road No. 509 McMullen Creek Market Charlotte, NC 28226 E-mail: comments and suggestions to staff@thepeacefuldragon.com