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“The best thing I ever did for my kids was start them in martial arts classes at The Peaceful Dragon.”

A Message From Master Eric Sbarge, Director and Head Instructor

Dear Parent,

Watch your child develop amazing self-discipline, a positive attitude, and an unstoppable "can-do" level of confidence. It will happen with our Kids and Family Martial Arts Classes at the Peaceful Dragon!

Experts agree that a quality martial arts program is one of the very best ways to help children gain self-discipline, respect and confidence—essential traits for success in school, at home, and in life. At The Peaceful Dragon's top-rated program your child will achieve these traits plus:

We'll help improve your child's attitude, behavior and self-sufficiency—which will help make your life much easier and more peaceful, too.

And as valuable as our program is for children, it does equal wonders for parents. With our kids and family classes, you have the option of taking martial arts classes right along with your child and enjoying the same great fitness, confidence and security that your child will attain.

See for yourself why The Peaceful Dragon was chosen "Best Martial Arts School" by Charlotte's Best Magazine and Charlotte Parent magazine Readers' Favorite "Best Martial Arts."

Since 1997, The Peaceful Dragon has grown into one of the top martial arts schools in the country. We're home to over 300 children and adults who enjoy our authentic and traditional classes in Kung Fu, Kempo Karate, Tai Chi, Yoga, Zen Meditation and more.

We've been featured in The Charlotte Observer, Lake Wylie Living, Creative Loafing, Today's Charlotte Woman, Ft. Mill Times and over a dozen other publications. These articles have praised us for our high-quality instruction and the positive results that our students are achieving.

Our students achieve life-changing positive results because we focus on the traditional inner teachings of martial arts: the development of a strong mind, body and spirit.

In keeping with the 1500-year-old traditions of Chinese Kung Fu—the same style that Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan made famous—our school emphasizes the cultivation of:

Of course our Martial Arts Program also teaches kids great self-defense and combat skills. Many of our students are top medal winners every year at one of the nation's largest and most competitive tournaments, the International Kuoshu Kung Fu Tournament in Baltimore.

But at The Peaceful Dragon fighting skills are never regarded as more important than the cultivation and improvement of one's character. We teach our students never to use or display their skills unnecessarily.

As head instructor I'm often asked if I've ever had to use my martial arts skills. My answer? I use my martial arts skills every day! No, not the fighting part. I haven't had a physical confrontation outside of the ring since I took up martial arts over 35 years ago.

But each day I enjoy reduced stress, greater relaxation, improved physical fitness, better tolerance and understanding, a more positive and generous spirit, and so much more. And these skills are a direct result of my martial arts training.

Here's a short Chinese story that we teach our students to help them understand how and when to use their skills correctly:

This story teaches that fighting and self-defense skills are not to be displayed arrogantly or unnecessarily, and that the wisdom and sensitivity one learns from martial arts can help avoid conflicts before they even arise.

We teach our students many stories like this one because the children love them—and they learn valuable lessons that stay with them for life.

Visit our Parents Blog for more information to help ensure
children's success at home, in school and in life.

The short video below shows you more about the exciting Children's Program at The Peaceful Dragon.

One of the top martial arts programs in the United States

You'll see your child build strength and flexibility.

By any measure - curriculum, facilities, number and quality of students, success of our students - The Peaceful Dragon ranks among the top martial arts schools in the country.

Our Teaching Approach

Though all martial arts schools teach kids how to kick, punch, block and grapple we focus on the inner teachings of martial arts: the development of a strong mind, body and spirit.

I've been in the education field almost as long as I've been in martial arts, as a school teacher and as an executive with McGraw-Hill and other leading educational companies. I can speak with some authority when I say that your child's biggest challenge likely doesn't come from physical threats at school or in the neighborhood (although our martial arts classes will give your child the confidence and skills to cope with that).

The challenge comes, instead, from battling the forces within. Often your child's greatest enemy is his or her own lack of confidence and self-esteem.

I've watched more than one student start out painfully shy and insecure, eyes glued to the floor, afraid to make a move. As they're guided and nurtured over the days and weeks and months, as they start to achieve real progress and feel their own strength, they're like butterflies emerging from cocoons. In fact, two of our most popular young instructors were themselves once hopelessly shy students in our children's program!

Take a look at this list of just some of the important lessons that await you and your child with our program:

• The difference between discipline and self-discipline, and the secret to getting your child to WANT to do what you want her to do
• Five key actions that every child and adult must know to protect against predators and strangers
• Our six proven steps for shy and timid children to turn into brave and confident go-getters
• Why it never works to tell your child to ignore bullies—and the strategies that do work most often
• The 11 Essential Principles for becoming a successful leader in school and in life
• The hidden reason that 1/3 of children struggle to get good grades in school, and a simple strategy that will help your child overcome those struggles
• The behavioral habits that nearly all top athletes share, and how they can become your family's habits
• The common strategic errors that even many martial artists make in a real self-defense situation—putting their lives or the lives of loved ones at serious risk
• The 12-step Shaolin path to cultivation of greater wisdom and compassion that has been practiced by Zen masters for centuries
• How to turn a disrespectful child into an angel—well, at least into a respectful child—in 60 days or less

Optimal Class Structure

Children as young as three love martial arts.

Our family classes are divided by age groups and by level of experience to ensure that each child progresses at an optimum pace: Little Dragons Family Classes for 4-7 year olds; and Young Dragons Family classes for 8-12 year olds. Classes are conveniently offered several days a week for you to choose from.

Top Martial Arts Styles

The styles we teach include China's 1500-year-old Shaolin Kung Fu, the grand daddy of East Asian martial arts, as well as Kempo Karate and grappling. If you've seen martial arts action movies with Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan, or some of the breathtaking martial arts dramas such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Jet Li's Fearless then you're already aware of the power and beauty of Kung Fu.

A recent Discovery Channel documentary on martial arts styles chose Shaolin Kung Fu as the Number One style in existence!

Today nearly every strip mall has a commercial Tae Kwon Do or Karate school, but it remains difficult to find authentic and traditional Kung Fu training with its rich history and true mind, body and spirit emphasis. The Peaceful Dragon is one of the few schools in the Carolinas to offer such genuine Kung Fu.

What's included when your child or family joins our classes?

Your family will enjoy a number of benefits and special services that go far beyond just the great classes we teach.

Weekly and Monthly Interactive Take-Home Lessons
Your child will receive Character Building Take-Home lessons that encourage active parental involvement in your child's development. Lesson topics include:

A Carefully Developed Curriculum
Your child will follow a carefully thought out curriculum that leads all the way to the Black Sash level. We'd be delighted to show you exactly how we will help your child develop the mental, physical and emotional skills needed to advance all the way from novice White Sash up to advanced Black Sash!

Boys and girls who earn their Black Sash stand head and shoulders above their peers when it comes to confidence, self-esteem, success skills, leadership skills and a positive view of themselves and the world around them. (And frankly, so do the parents who train along side their children.)

Think how important that confidence and positive self-image are for kids to be able to Say No to the negative peer pressures they face every day, and Yes to the positive challenges that lead to success in life. Martial arts really can change your child's life forever!

Our Student Creed

I will be
honest and humble,
respectful and polite,
self-disciplined and hard working.
I will strive for excellence in my martial arts
and will only use my skills and talents to help people.
I will seek to cultivate compassion, wisdom and love
above all else.

Children in the Black Sash and Leadership Clubs can learn to do lion dancing.

Students in our Kids and Family Program enjoy all of the following:

• Exciting and fun classes with our skilled professional instructors
• Private tutoring classes available to give your child the extra attention he or she might need
• FREE use of studios and all training equipment for practice 7 days a week
• FREE monthly newsletter
• FREE testing for colored sash (belt) promotions
• Pro shop for any martial arts supplies and gifts you might need
• Special social activities including Parents' Night Out parties, campouts—even a sponsored trip to China!
• 20% discount on fun martial arts birthday parties

As students progress we offer advanced Black Sash and Leadership Clubs where students enjoy additional intensive training in Chinese Lion Dancing, Demo Team, Leadership Skills, Success Principles and Strategies, and much more.

Our training facilities are unsurpassed in the Carolinas

When you come in to visit us I think you'll agree that The Peaceful Dragon's facilities are among the most beautiful and complete of any school in the Carolinas—or in the nation for that matter.

Located on 12 wooded acres, our 10,000-square-foot custom designed school has everything your child needs to excel in martial arts training. Four clean and spacious studios with hardwood floors and mats ensure plenty of healthy and safe space for classes, including a state-of-the-art equipment room and training room.

The Peaceful Dragon sits on 12 wooded acres, with gardens, outdoor training areas, walking trail, and more.

As a parent you are always welcome and encouraged to join the classes with your child. Even if you choose not to participate you can sit right inside the studios and carefully observe your child's class. Or you can relax in our large common area with full viewing windows that allow you to watch your child's progress.

Our outdoor grounds include gardens and training areas complete with heavy bags and stretching bars, a walking trail with circuit exercise equipment, a children's playground, and a large back yard where we often hold classes outdoors in nice weather.

How we compare to other schools:

• Size: The Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% of martial arts schools in terms of physical size of the facility and property.
• Amenities: The Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% of schools in terms of available equipment and training facilities.
• Experience: The Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% in terms of the collective number of years of experience of the instructors.
• Enrollment: The Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% in terms of number of active students.
• Longevity: We have been open since 1997—in an industry where fewer than 5% of martial schools ever make it past five-years.
• Stability: TThe Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% in terms of revenues, which helps ensure that we will be here for many, many more years to come.
• Value: Even though we are in the top 1% of schools in each of the above important categories, our average per-student annual cost falls somewhere in the 20th-40th percentile. And we offer our students much more than just classes: You get ongoing lectures, workshops, roundtable discussion groups, social events, special seminars, and much more.
• Popularity: Our average annual retention rate is more than double (and closer to triple) the standard for martial arts schools, meaning our students are two to three times more satisfied training here than are students at most other schools.
• Competition Results: Our students who choose to compete in forms, fighting and weapons at regional and national tournaments are consistently in the top 10% of medal winners.
• Advanced Ranks: The Peaceful Dragon is in the top 1% of schools both in terms of total number of students and percentage of students training past intermediate and into advanced levels. We have dozens of active students who have trained more than ten years, and more than 50 active students who have trained longer than five years.
• Authentic Chinese Curriculum: The Peaceful Dragon is among the less than 1% of schools that offer the life-changing benefits of training in traditional and authentic Ch'an (Zen), Shaolin Yoga, Tai Chi and Shaolin kung fu. Shaolin was selected as the number one martial arts style in the world on a popular Discovery Channel documentary, and is recognized as the "granddaddy" of East Asian martial arts styles.
• True Value: The Peaceful Dragon is among the less than 1% that offer the life-changing benefits of authentic Ch'an and Shaolin kung fu: the style that was selected as the number one martial arts style in the world recently on a popular Discovery Channel documentary.
• Lineage: The Peaceful Dragon's great-grandmaster, Ch'ang Dung Sheng, is widely regarded as one of the top three tai chi and kung fu stylists of the 20th century, and the number one Shuai-Chiao (Chinese grappling) stylist.

When your child or family enrolls in our program, he or she will be training as part of a highly-motivated and dedicated group of children.

We don't accept students who aren't dedicated, motivated and enthused about martial arts training.

Martial arts is a full-time, family-owned business for us. We could easily take in much more revenue if we accepted any student who walked in off the street. Most martial arts schools do just that: They'll take anyone's money.

Top professional instructors lead our Children's Program Master Eric Sbarge Master Eric Sbarge is founder, director and head instructor at The Peaceful Dragon. A highly regarded martial artist with over 35 years of experience in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Yoga and Asian culture, he was certified as a Master Level Instructor in 2001. In 2005 Master Sbarge was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is not only one of the most skilled and versatile martial artists in the Carolinas, but also one of the top educators. He was Education Program Director for McGraw-Hill Seminar Division in the early 80's, and holds certification as a public school teacher in both New York and North Carolina. He taught full-time for four years at South Charlotte Middle School, where his students consistently ranked among the highest academically both within the school and within Mecklenburg County. As a parent and teacher, Master Sbarge understands the wide variety of needs of different children, and our martial arts programs are designed to meet those needs. Academically gifted students, those with Attention Deficit Disorders, and mainstream students alike all benefit from the premier After-School Martial Arts Program that Master Sbarge has created. Classes are all divided by age groups and levels of experience so your child is sure to excel at his or her optimal rate. Master Sbarge has been a featured speaker or presenter at dozens of national and regional companies and organizations including B.F. Goodrich, Johnson and Wales University, UNCC, Discovery Place, the FBI, the U.S. Army, Wachovia, Bank of America, the Charlotte Asian Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, International House, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and many more. Children's Program Instructors The Peaceful Dragon has eight professional Children's Martial Arts Program instructors, each of whom has trained intensively under Master Sbarge for at least five years and in several cases for over ten years. They have been selected to teach in our Kids and Family Programs not only because of their high level of martial arts skills, but also because of their proven abilities to motivate, lead and communicate with children.

We carefully screen every application, and do our best to weed out the non-serious students and families. Why? Because your child can't reach his or her full potential without the support and example of other highly dedicated students.

I understand that The Peaceful Dragon can't be the right school for everyone

It's possible that we are not the kind of martial arts school that some parents are seeking for their child. We're not a babysitting service, nor do we give away Black Sashes to anyone who pays tuition. Your child will have to work hard at real martial arts training in our classes, and must develop the physical, mental and emotional qualities that a skilled martial artist is known for to be promoted to Black Sash level.

We are a top quality, full-time school offering authentic martial arts at a great value. We are competitively priced with other quality full-time martial arts schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've been teaching martial arts for a long time, and I hear many of the same questions from parents. Here are the some of the most common:

Can martial arts turn my child into a bully?
No. Martial arts training will do just the opposite. Children are taught respect, tolerance, harmony and compassion. The use of physical force is always reserved as a last resort, and only for self-defense.

My child has special needs. Can your program help?
We have students with ADHD, mild autism, physical disabilities, and other challenges. Martial arts is one of the best activities for children with challenges.

One of my favorite success stories concerns a boy with autism who came to us a few years ago. He acted out at home and at school, getting extremely angry and hitting other children. His parents were in despair. It might seem paradoxical that a child with hitting problems could find the answer in martial arts, but he did. He learned that if he couldn't control his impulses he couldn't attend the classes he clearly loved. The staff worked closely with him and his parents and we're all delighted to see how much he's progressed. In fact, he was recently named Student of the Month!

My child has tried other activities like music and sports teams, but always quits after a short period. What happens if my child wants to quit martial arts?
We understand the psychology of children, and we use scientifically proven methods to motivate children that many educators and coaches are not aware of.

Usually children want to quit an activity because of one of four reasons:
1. They find it is too hard early on and they become discouraged and intimidated.
2. They find it is too easy and lacks challenges, leading to boredom.
3. Something negative happens with a classmate or the instructor and the student prefers to avoid the class rather than resolve the issue.
4. They fail to get encouragement and participation from both the instructor and the parent.

With our program, kids get tons of encouragement and feedback, and they really have a blast in the classes. In fact, while the average retention rate for sports teams and other activities is under 10%, almost 80% of our students choose to renew!

Is your school's emphasis on competition and winning trophies, or is it on the development of my child?
Your child's development always comes first. And unlike with most sports teams, there are no bench warmers sitting on the sidelines. Every student participates fully in every class. For those students who wish to compete at tournaments, we offer comprehensive training for all major divisions. Our students consistently finish among the top medal winners at every major regional and national tournament we attend.

Having fun with new friends is one of the benefits of studying martial arts.

We would love the opportunity to meet you and give your family Two Free Introductory Classes and a Free Tour of our facilities. During the tour we will explain all of the features and benefits of our program, show you our facilities, and answer any questions you might have about our program.

The Peaceful Dragon accepts children who demonstrate good character, who want to have fun and enjoy the life-changing benefits of martial arts, and who have strong family support for our program. We accept students with or without previous martial arts experience, regardless of race, religion or similar factors.

Currently, due to the tremendous demand for our programs, we are pre-screening all applicants before scheduling the Free Introductory Tour and Classes.

To apply for your Tour and Classes, simply fill out the Application Form below. We generally respond to on-line applications within 48 hours to inform you whether your pre-screening application has been accepted, and to confirm your reservation for your Free Introductory Tour and Classes. Confirmation of your tour date, time, driving directions, etc. will be provided when we notify you of your application's preliminary approval.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed reading about The Peaceful Dragon and learning about the many benefits of our Children's Martial Arts Program. I look forward to meeting you and your child!

Sincerely,

Eric Sbarge
Director and Head Instructor
The Peaceful Dragon

P.S. Don't forget to inquire about our family discounts for two or more children in the program, or for our great classes for parents and teens in martial arts, tai chi, yoga, Zen meditation and more!

P.P.S. We often run special tour discounts—be sure to ask the instructor if one is currently running while at your tour!

P.P.P.S. I know there are many reasons to put off applying for your child, but please go ahead and apply now.  Without the confidence, self-discipline and positive attitude that a program like ours offers, your child potentially faces too many scary and unpleasant obstacles:  Poor health and fitness, susceptibility to negative peer pressure, a worsening of focus and concentration leading to poor performance in school, and lack of self-defense skills that could be vital to save your child's life some day.