“My practice at the Blue Dragon School means so much to me that I cannot fathom the thought without it in my life. Practicing martial arts has given me so much in a short time that I cannot think of any other activity that can match it. It gives you better health, learning to enjoy and experience the present moment the way life was meant to be. I’ve also enjoyed an improved body that is becoming leaner and more flexible by each passing day. It has made me a better dad, husband, employer and has made me handle daily situations in a much more reasonable and logical way. I always know I’m prepared for challenges!”
“Since practicing here I’ve really gained more control of myself. I don’t get all worked up like I used to in stressful situations. The practice has definitely changed my life. It has changed the way I see things. I used to get very upset over things that I couldn’t control. Now I focus on better things, like people helping each other, and not so much about what is bad in everything I see. It’s also the humbleness and integrity of the school that really keeps me coming back, and not really caring about other styles. And I just like the practice. There’s a lot less ego than I think a lot of other places have.”
“I wanted to take a minute to let you know how grateful I am that I found Blue Dragon. Less than five months ago, I was in the hospital, having suffered a stroke that left the right side of my body virtually useless. I did not have enough strength to grip a pen, walk more than a few feet, or even hold my 2 young daughters. After I finished rehab, I enrolled at Blue Dragon. Having participated in the kung fu, chi kung and meditation classes for the past few months, as well as taking acupuncture treatments, I’m confident I’ve found a program that gives me the opportunity for full recovery and more. My wife has been so impressed with the results she’s observed that she’s joined Blue Dragon as well!
“When I came to the Blue Dragon School I heard about the weekly meditation class and figured I would check it out. That was 3 years ago and I’ve been attending ever since. Having had the opportunity to listen to Shifu Ahles share his insights and experiences has not only facilitated my understanding of the practice but has altered my perspective on handling the challenges life has to offer. “Change your thinking; change your life.” Funny thing is…it’s actually true. I can honestly say I live a healthier and happier life as a result. I think that if more people knew what they were missing…fewer people actually would.”
"At Blue Dragon, as I practiced more, I felt better about myself, physically and mentally. As the cold weather came on in my 3rd year of practice, I found I was tolerating the cold better. I found that my hands and feet were not getting painfully cold as they used to. Mrs Fries was surprised when I came in on the 1st really cold day that winter. I have not missed class since then because of the cold. I also started to notice that I was not getting hot flashes as severely as I heard my friends were getting them, and it was not on a regular basis. In fact, it seemed like I was no longer getting them. Great! But then, every few months, I’d start getting them, then they would stop again. Was this normal? Then one day it clicked, I was getting them when I stopped practicing for a while – went on vacation, etc. I would start practicing again, and it would go away completely. I had found the right hormone therapy for me. It makes sense though, through my martial arts practice, I am achieving balance, mentally and physically.
“A year and a half ago, when I began Chi Kung classes, I could barely make it through the 13-Exercises Warm-up without wheezing and using my inhaler. When I added the Kung Fu classes, I couldn’t get through palm strikes without resting. I have lung disease, and last August we found spots.
Fear is an incredible motivator. Meticulously following a regime of both classes, acupuncture, breathing exercises and meditation; combined with my own indomitable spirit, I can now do back to back classes, and I don’t even know where my inhaler is.
“There would be a large void in my life without the Blue Dragon School of Martial Arts. I would miss the hard training, the expert tutelage of Shifu Ahles and the friendships that have been created with some of the other students. Attending class always has a positive affect on me no matter how tired I am or how difficult my day has been. Because of the training I have become stronger, healthier and fitter. How can I argue with that? With the meditation and the hard training I have become more productive at work and perform at a much higher and calmer level. Also, my wife Jennifer has seen a positive change in my duties as a husband and a father.”
“When I first started at the Blue Dragon, I couldn’t fully participate because of the condition of my knees which were stiff and arthritic. During my first year, through rigorous practice and hard work, I was able to progress. I attended the Qi Gong class at least three times a week. My knees became progressively better... Although I am young at heart, I will be 68 this summer. Normally, the arthritis might have taken over, however, it has mostly been controlled. I attribute this success to my work at the Blue Dragon School."
"One night in Meditation Classes Shifu said you cannot run away from society and it’s problems, you have to learn to live in it. With some 20 people or more in Meditation Class that evening, it was as if he was speaking to me and me alone. Today I no longer think of leaving the area. I have learned to live in our society and more important be happy within it. There have been many other nights in Meditation Classes when Shifu’s talks seemed to be just for me and all of the other people just happened to be there to hear it.
Since starting Martial Arts and learning that it is “a way of life”, and bringing my practice into my everyday life, my life has become so much better. Studying Martial Arts has been a turning point in my life.”
When you come in for your free trial lesson, you will also get your choice of one of the DVD or DVD + CD