About our Testing for the Next Color Sash
There are never any fees for testing at The Peaceful Dragon. Advancement in rank via testing will be recognized by a new colored Sash or a colored Chevron attached to the sash, as well as a Promotional Certificate. Testing will take place during regular classes during the last couple of weeks of each quarterly cycle.
An instructor will observe your required physical curriculum, and make sure you have completed any required Character Development or reading assignments as well. Attendance will be checked to ensure that you have completed an average of two classes per week during the testing cycle.
Kung Fu students will receive Stripes that are physically taped to your sash. Tai Chi students will have stripes noted on your student cards. All required stripes must be completed in order to promote.
If you have any deficiencies during the first or second month of a quarterly testing cycle, make every effort to ensure that you can and will pass.
Quarterly Promotion Ceremonies
In the week or two immediately following quarterly testing, a celebratory ceremony is scheduled for you to receive your new sash and rank from our head instructor, and receive awards and recognition for completing Character Development lessons.
Ceremonies are held on Saturdays, and we encourage you to invite your family and friends to recognize your accomplishment and celebrate along with you.
In addition to presenting new sashes, certificates, and awards at the Saturday Promotion Ceremonies, students participate in exciting Lion Dances and demonstrations by students and instructors. Refreshments are brought by our staff and volunteers to enjoy while socializing after the Promotion Ceremony.
Mastery Students Note: You must wear your long-sleeved demo top to every Promotion Ceremony!
Quarterly Promotion Requirements for Character Sheets and Attendance Cards
Attendance:
A minimum of three purple attendance stripes (check marks only for tai chi) each for kung fu or tai chi per quarter are required for all adult and family class students. One stripe is earned for every eight classes attended each month. Be sure to make up missed classes as promptly as possible!
Character Sheets:
Practice, Acts of Kindness, and Book Reading are highly encouraged for all adults. Practice in particular is expected of all students, but adults are not absolutely required to record it.
Practice Time
A minimum of six red practice stripes (or check marks only on cards for tai chi students) required each quarter. If you train in both kung fu and tai chi, each art requires six stripes. One stripe is earned for every eight entries on your practice sheet. An entry should be for 20 minutes or more of consecutive practice in your chosen art(s). After completing your required two classes per week in each art, additional classes in that art can count as practice sessions (competition team, yoga, or hsing-i/pakua classes do not count for kung fu or tai chi practice). You can certainly practice more than once per day, but please only record one session per day.
Acts of Kindness
A minimum of six combined blue kindness stripes and yellow reading stripes (check marks only for tai chi) required each quarter. One stripe is earned for every eight entries on your sheet. Acts can be big or small – simply must have the intention of doing something kind for others. Only record one session per day, please.
Book Reading
A minimum of six combined blue kindness stripes and yellow reading stripes (check marks only for tai chi) required each quarter. One stripe is earned for every eight entries on your sheet. Any book reading counts (paper or e-books) for at least 15 minutes per session. Only one session per day, please.