Temple of the Dragon - Arts Taught: Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Yoga, Meditation

Arts Taught at The Temple of the Dragon

• Tai Chi and Internal Arts • Kung Fu and Shuai Chiao • Yoga • Meditation

Tai Chi and Internal Arts

For centuries Chinese people have practiced the life-enhancing art of tai chi and the internal martial arts of pakua and hsing-i, and today millions more around the world are joining them.

Tai chi is a unique form of "moving meditation" that calms the mind, relaxes the body and strengthens the spirit. Much of tai chi is practiced slowly and gently, ideal for people of all ages and health conditions.

Though most people take up tai chi for the tremendous health benefits, others are intrigued by the fact the style is actually a highly-effective martial art. Emphasis is placed on cultivating "chi," or internal energy, as opposed to simply developing muscle mass and brute force.

It is this focus on chi cultivation that makes Tai Chi so highly effective for cultivating good health and for developing unparalleled martial arts skills.

Pakua

Although not as well known as tai chi, pakua is an equally effective internal art, focusing on circular movements and methods of meditation and qigong and is a perfect complement to tai chi training. Much of pakua is practiced slowly and gently, making both styles ideal for people of all ages and health conditions.

The Peaceful Dragon offers rare classes in authentic pakua, passed on by Grandmaster DeMaria. Master Eric Sbarge also studied pakua with Master Park Bok Nam, an internationally renowned pakua teacher who is the top disciple of the late Lu Shui Tian.

If you are taking tai chi for health and stress reduction, pakua, with its sophisticated breathing, chi kung and circle walking, is a perfect complement to it. If you are interested in cultivating high-level fighting skills, you'll benefit greatly from the speed and efficiency of pakua regardless of which style you now take.

If you want to understand the depths of Taoist philosophy, pakua represents the essence of it.

Hsing-I

Hsing-I is based on the 5 elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. In this art form one goes directly into the opponent to attack, and comes out from the attack on guard. Even though hsing-i looks like an external art, it is an internal art. Many call it 'The Bridge Art' because it is on the line between an external and internal style.

Read more about pakua and hsing-i at Grandmaster DeMaria's site.

The Temple of the Dragon's Approach to Tai Chi and the Internal Arts

Our traditional and authentic approach to teaching includes theories and principles, not just forms and movements. Instruction is personalized to meet your interests. Sifu Aaron Arden, Director and Head Instructor at the Temple Of The Dragon is a 3rd generation student of the late Ch'ang Dung Sheng, the renowned Tai Chi master and undefeated Chinese national martial arts champion.

Great Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng demonstrates a Hsing-I Chuan form.

The Temple Of The Dragon is one of the few modern schools that can teach pure Tai Chi, Pa-Kua and Hsing-I. Whether you choose these arts for health or self-defense, or both, you'll quickly discover how much calmer and more at peace you feel.

Tai chi, Pa-Kua and Hsing-I are suitable for people of all ages and health conditions. And as with all the arts taught here, the rewards are great if you train diligently and sincerely.

At The Temple of the Dragon You'll Find:

Personalized instruction in qigong, forms, breathing methods, meditation methods, push hands, weapons forms, self defense applications, sparring, conditioning and more
Classes suitable for all ages and physical conditions
Highly motivated fellow students to train with

Shaolin Kung Fu

More than 1500 years ago, the Shaolin monks in China began studying martial arts as part of a lifelong journey towards enlightenment. Recognizing that body, mind and spirit are inseparable, they embarked on the "three pillars" of training. This training included: martial arts and qigong to strengthen the body, meditation to clear the mind, and spiritual inquiry to answer the deepest questions of the soul.

The Temple of the Dragon follows the Ethical Code of the Shaolin Martial Artist, or WuDe.

At The Temple Of The Dragon we adhere to the traditional "three pillar" approach, teaching authentic lineage Kung-Fu styles. The journey is a demanding one requiring self-discipline and dedication, but the rewards are always worth the effort.

Originating in the Shaolin Temple in China over 1500 years ago, Shaolin Kung Fu is perhaps the most comprehensive of all martial arts. Often referred to as the "grand daddy" of Asian martial arts, Shaolin has influenced the development of much later arts such as Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do. Kung Fu offers you great health and fitness, superb fighting skills, and it can be beautiful and exciting to watch, as in the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Shuai Chiao Kung Fu (Chinese grappling)

The oldest recorded martial art in East Asia, Shuai Chiao dates back more than 2500 years to the time of the Yellow Emperor.

With emphasis on grappling, throws and sweeps, Shuai Chiao offers a devastating arsenal of real combat techniques for the martial arts enthusiast. Our Great Grandmaster Ch'ang Dung Sheng was known as the "King of Shuai Chiao" and remained undefeated throughout the world in his lifetime.

Though not for the faint-of-heart or for people in poor physical condition, Shuai Chiao is the perfect complement for stylists of "stand-up" fighting styles such as Shaolin Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do or boxing.

The Temple Of The Dragon's Approach to Chinese Kung Fu

We motivate our students to strive to reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Like all traditional Chinese schools, our adult programs have no "belt rankings" or other competitive grading systems; the only test is whether you've made a little more progress today than you did yesterday. We look at martial arts mastery as a lifelong process and aim to help you build a strong foundation for optimal progress.

Personalized instruction includes qigong, forms, joint locks, pressure points, breathing methods, conditioning, meditation, self-defense applications, sparring, weaponry and more:

Diverse Kung Fu styles and forms including Tan Tui, Mei Jong, Lohan, Animal styles, Kenpo, and more
Progress at your own pace - no belt rankings
Highly motivated fellow students to train with

Yoga

Popular in Asia for thousands of years, Yoga incorporates advanced stretching and strengthening postures that loosen the body and quiet the mind. Yoga is a complete system for training the body, mind and spirit through breathing exercises, meditation, contemplation and reflection, in addition to the stretching postures.

Yoga is extremely useful for martial artists, tai chi students or athletes who need to increase their flexibility and reduce the chances of injury. Children especially benefit from and enjoy yoga, which is why we incorporate it into our Young Dragons martial arts program.

Many athletes and martial artists who try Yoga discover that the real value goes beyond the physical training, to the mental and spiritual well-being that arise from yoga practice.

The Temple of the Dragon's Approach to Yoga

We teach the postures and methods that have been practiced for centuries in the Shaolin and Taoist traditions of China. Many of the techniques we teach can be traced to the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, a haven where yoga, meditation and martial arts merged in the common quest for self-cultivation and enlightenment.

At The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon You'll Find:

A complete system of yoga, tai chi and meditation for mental, physical and spiritual development
Authentic Yoga practice - not just stretching exercises
Flexible class schedules

Meditation

The body, mind, and spirit are one. The knowledge of this truth is within each of us, obscured by the world of illusion. Meditation helps us see through this illusion.

The Temple of the Dragon's Approach to Meditation

There are many techniques and methods of meditation. At The Temple of the Dragon, Ch'an (Zen) and Taoist meditations are taught. Our meditation classes do not teach or preach religion. Students can be quite comfortable in their own religious beliefs, and still learn to meditate.

The ancient sages taught us that the mind cannot relax unless the body is relaxed. That is why we recommend Yoga and/or Tai Chi to complement your sitting meditation.

At The Temple of the Dragon You'll Find:

Expert guidance in a peaceful, quiet setting
Classes suited for beginners as well as advanced practitioners
Cushions and benches available
Intensive workshops and retreats to deepen your practice
Highly motivated students to practice your training with