The Temple of the Dragon opened three months ago at 4125 Monroe Road.

“Traditional Chinese martial arts is a way of life; learning how to stay in shape, how to keep yourself healthy physically, mentally and spiritually,” said Aaron Arden, owner and instructor. “That’s the whole key point.

“We teach all-authentic Chinese martial arts,” he said, including Chinese Kenp, Shuai Chiao, Tai chi, Pa Kua Zhang, traditional Shoa-lin Kung Fu, yoga and meditation.

The academy is affiliated with the American Center for Chinese Studies and is accepting new students who are 4 and older.

“If you keep yourself healthy, your spirit it going to shine and you will be happier. The classes are teaching you how to exercise, but also teaching you how to relax, de-stress, look at things much easier and stop making things difficult and making life easier,” Arden said.

“Traditional martial arts is more of a way of life, based on philosophy,” he said. “And that philosophy is body, mind and spirit, which is basic philosophy in all religions.”

Tai chi is a popular class, especially amongst adults because of the benefits.

“They can do it at any age, any ability,” Arden said. “People can be helped dramatically with injuries or ailments they have. They go off medications they are taking and it completely changes their lives by taking traditional tai Chi classes.”

Tai Chi is different from other martial arts, such as Kung Fu.

“Kung Fu is a hard style, Tai chi is a soft style; it’s done very slowly,” he said. “Instead of just twisting the joints, you’re twisting, turning and strengthening your joints. It’s much better than walking, running, or going to the gym.”

The school offers free introduction classes every Wednesday and Friday. People can try the martial arts and can sign up for classes if they are interested.  Other than the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, martial arts is good for self defense, Arden said.

The academy is a brother school to the Shaolin Temple in New York, one of the few in the country, Arden said.

For more information, visit www.templeofthedragon.com or call (419) 344-1559.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 10:16 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Family Fun.
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