We are at the Peaceful Dragon 4-5 times per week for Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and seminars on Chinese…read moremedicine and philosophy. Our 10 year old has been going for 5 years and is now working towards his junior black sash. Our 7 year-old just started, and wants to take classes every time they are offered. Both are members of the Leadership Club and are currently reading "The West Point Way of Leadership" as part of their training. I have been taking Tai Chi and Kung Fu for a year now, and have lost 20 pounds, plus have gained much greater strength, stamina, flexibility, and confidence. Classes are more than what you might pay at a strip-mall martial arts school, but you are getting a richer, more vibrant community and a more robust training.

I cannot speak enough praise for how much I love the peaceful dragon and the family that has come…read morewith it, for how much it has changed my life overall. I have severe anxiety to name just a few of my struggles and yet the people here have managed the challenging feat of balancing: (1) Pushing and encouraging a person to move forward just as far as you don't think you can go, without pushing you to your breaking point, (2) all while supporting and encouraging you along the way in a compassionate way; until little by little you are doing things you never thought you could do. The peaceful dragon has always pushed me past my comfort zones, and has never let me get away with living my life saying "No, I can't do that." And more than anything they've never given up on me or let me give up on myself. Every year I grow a little more and walk out with a more enhanced perspective on life. I genuinely don't think I'd be where I am today without their gentle guidance and encouragement and that is worth the tuition it costs to attend a school that will build you up into a person you and others around you can be proud of. This year, is my second year and I am in awe beyond words for how many who have come before me to whom I aspire to, people who have been here 20, 14, 10 even 7 and 5 years. Some began as adults some grew up practicing here from the time they were children now headed to college. It has to be so amazing to be able to watch your students grow and transform. I can't help but look up to all of these people who have loved, supported and adopted me and others like me as family in the 2 years that I've been here and that was without me having any history in martial arts under my belt. I hear some people gawk at the price. I make less than 9k/year and yet I still have found ways to attend. I know some people who have given up (literally) everything just to come here with no regrets. And so I've always believed that people find ways to afford things that matter to them, if something matters to you enough you'll find a way to make it happen. To that end it's not about the money. It's about keeping a tradition and a school alive. Money is a tool needed to grow and maintain the school whose rent we all share. If you walk into the school you'll see pictures of the peaceful dragon being built; and if you listen to the teachers who have been there for 14 or more years you'll hear them talk about when they were all out practicing together in parks. You can't know what it's like to have a roof over your head to practice until you've had to practice without one. How many people can say they started out learning in a park only to see those funds reinvested to build a bigger and better building made just for them and future students like them to practice in. How many schools can say that their students grow on to become teachers with them or others if they so choose to walk that path? How many people can go to a school where the students grow to become teachers, and where each member is not just a 'member' but a part of a family? And how many schools have teachers where teachers, students and their families are recognized and honoured for all that they do to keep the spirit of the martial arts tradition and school alive? That is genuinely a combination of good leadership and community. For *me* to be able to practice in a school like this one among family like this one is a privilege and a honour. To be among people who have been training here since before there was a building to practice is equally a privilege. I love my school, and I know that not only am I lucky to attend a school that offers all that it does but that my continued success as a student is dependent on the success of my school. If you decide to be a student and are locked in on "why can't I have dirt cheap prices", I do hope that you're able to grow from a "me-first gimme gimme what can I get at bargain prices" mindset to a how can we help each other, how can I help my family succeed mindset, because the two are interdependent. I went in with a me-first mindset and I've come out with a sense of connection and otherness that I wouldn't have otherwise had without this school. I could go on but I'll stop and hope that that leaves anyone who might read that with enough food for though.

Let's just say I'm not the martial arts type. But I really wanted to learn Tai Chi as a form of…read moregentle exercise. Camilo Sanchez is the proprietor and is a thorough and patient instructor so I was happy to find his studio. He teaches "Chen" style tai chi which is one of the oldest styles and is more close to a martial style than others. But I was still able to keep up and appreciated the level of detail explained in each movement. FYI he also teaches Qigong and I have spoken to several students who swear by his teaching. He offers various levels of certification as well.

I have been seeing Dr. Camilo for over a year now. I was very sick, I was not able to drink even…read morewater without getting terrible gastritis. My life (if you can call it life) was a nightmare. I saw the general doctor, the Gastroenterology's and the ENT doctor (the best that I was able to afford in Charlotte). they each have a different theory of what it was happening to me. I lost my voice, I could not breath or eat well. They kept giving me medications, and with each pill I got prescribed I felt how my life slipped away in my hands. I finally found a naturopath doctor that helped me some, then a Chinese Doctor that helped me a bit more, then a friend of mine recommended Dr Camilo. I have recovered my voice, I am able to eat almost everything without pain, and I can breathe fine. My diagnosis were chronic stress and anxiety due to problems at work, the anxiety gave me reflux, the reflux affected my vocal cords which gave me Vocal chord dysfunction and it did not allow to breathe and talk for almost 4 years. Thanks Dr. Camilo for all your help

Looking for something different instead of the same old routine? Or maybe you have always avoided…read moreexercise before, like me! I finally decided to try this Tai Chi class. It is a wonderful way to get in better shape. But the side benefit is that it really helps lower stress (and who doesn't have stress nowadays?) Great experience!

From the owner: Take a Free intimate class to learn the ancient arts of Kung Fu, Tai Chi as well as the healing…read morepowers of Meditation & Yoga.

Confession-this review is strictly for there once a month lady safe class that focuses on self…read moredefense for women. The class is free for women to attend and only $10 for men who's like to attend. This gym offers all different kinds of classes for boxing, aikido, Muay Thai, and tai chi. The professors/senseis team up The first or second Saturday of the month to teach a self-defense class for women. The class is usually from 1 PM to 3 PM and consist of maneuvers and strikes. They are very informative and very patient when teaching. They don't mind going over the techniques over and over again until you are sure you get it right. You definitely feel like you were in a safe space with people who truly care about you, trying to teach you. They check in with the students to make sure that nobody is uncomfortable especially for those who have suffered an attack before. I can't say enough good things about this particular class. The only reason I have not signed up for one of their aikido classes is because the schedule doesn't work for me. You can follow them on Facebook to learn about their lady safe events, give it a shot and that will help you determine if you would like to continue coming to this gym for other classes.

I came here when I was 16 when they were located in their NoDa location. Took some boxing classes…read moreand I loved it but had to focus more on school and I couldn't wait to come back since. I started Muay Thai a couple of months ago and the training is impeccable. Learning from the ground up I have learned so much in two months. As much as I have always wanted to learn martial arts, I have always had a love for weight lifting and this place is perfect for that as well with a free weight room and many powerlifting amenities!! The best of both worlds, a great place to sweat, work hard on yourself, and learn about the arts. This place feels super intimate and you start feeling welcomed and comfortable after a few weeks. It's like a 2nd home for me :)

The must see yoga place to go in Lake Norman area. I managed to go to the Express Yoga at 11 AM…read morewith Amy for $5. At the website they offer a free pass but I wanted to cash on the free pass on another day. Amy is probably one of the most unique yoga instructors I have ever met. She made yoga cerebral, soulful, and beautiful. She focused on the HOW you do each pose. I like that she encouraged you to play and to LISTEN to your body during yoga. She was adept in giving simple and easy to follow directions and examples of variations and modifications. Her mini massages, nurturing touch, and adjustments were heavenly. It was evident she was very intuitive in reading a person's body and providing adjustments to give relief to whatever was tense or needed relief in one's body. Peace, Love, and Yoga, GG aka Grace of God

Unfortunately I've been to studios where I have seen the same teachers dozens of times & they don't…read moreknow my name, don't greet me, or seem to care that I'm there. This is the only studio I've ever been to where I feel welcome & that's all that matters to me. The teachers here actually care about your needs and respect that your time there is YOUR PRACTICE.