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• Special Services
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Master Eric Sbarge (left) and Grandmaster Frank DeMaria demonstrate a push hands pattern.
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Lineage of The Peaceful Dragon's Head Instructor
The Peaceful Dragon is a lineage school. Many of
the authentic martial arts taught at our studios have passed directly from
Great Grandmaster Ch'ang Dung Sheng to his adopted son Grandmaster Frank
DeMaria, and from him to Master Eric Sbarge. Students are indeed fortunate to
have access to training and knowledge of this caliber.
Grand Master Frank DeMaria, left and Great Grand Master Ch'ang Dung Sheng
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Great Grandmaster Ch'ang Dung Sheng was born in Hopei, China in 1905.
While still a small boy, he began to study Shuai Chiao -- the Chinese art
of grappling -- possibly the earliest martial art for which there are records.
Many Shuai Chiao holds and throws are hidden in Shaolin Ch'uan Fa -- the
corpus of specialized arts that make up what Westerners know as Kung Fu,
a term that means hard work.
In 1933, then only 18, Great Grandmaster Ch'ang
became China National Heavyweight Shuai Chiao Champion even though he was
not a heavyweight. Due to his tremendous power and expertise, this China
national treasure remained undefeated in his lifetime.
Ch'ang learned T'ai Chi Chuan from General Li Chien Lin
in the 1930s and because of his complete mastery of Shuai Chiao,
was able to perfect the style called Ch'ang Shih
T'ai Chi Chuan which incorporates the techniques of this ancient art of
Shuai Chiao, and is unique among T'ai Chi styles for its combat potential.
Ch'ang was also expert in the arts of Hsing-I, Pakua and Shaolin Kung Fu.
Grandmaster Frank DeMaria has over forty-five years of experience in
Chinese cultural and martial arts. His greatest martial arts teacher was
the late Great Grandmaster Ch'ang Dung Sheng who adopted Frank DeMaria
as his son. His greatest meditation and philosophy teacher was the renowned
Shen Yen, Abbott of Nung Chan Temple in Taipei.
Out of his desire to preserve and pass on these arts in a
traditional way, Grandmaster DeMaria founded the American Center For Chinese Studies
(ACCS) with which The Peaceful Dragon is affiliated. In 1995,
the ACCS became an official brother school of the Society of
Shaolin Temple in New York, headed by Reverend Guo Lin Shi.
Reverend Guo Lin Shi -- 34th generation Shaolin monk of the Song
Mountain Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province, China, and slated
successor to the current Abbott -- presided over the ceremony.
The ACCS is one of the few martial arts organization to have this honor.
Master Eric Sbarge and Hu Wan Chih, husband and wife, founded The Peaceful Dragon
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Master Eric Sbarge has trained for over 25 years in Tai Chi Ch'uan, Pakua,
Hsing-I, Shuai Chiao and Shaolin Kung Fu. He was for fifteen years a private student
of Grandmaster Frank DeMaria, who is the adopted son of Great Grandmaster
Ch'ang Dung Sheng, and founder of the American Center For Chinese Studies
with which The Peaceful Dragon is affiliated.
Master Sbarge has extensive knowledge of the arts he teaches, and
has written a number of articles both scholarly and practical for
Inside Kung-fu, Black Belt and other magazines. He has
participated in demonstrations at many major arenas including
Madison Square Garden, and taken firsts in the black belt
divisions of a number of tournaments, among them the United
Nations Open.
Continuing in the footsteps of his own master,
Master Sbarge, along with his wife, Hu Wan Chih, envisioned and
brought into being The Peaceful Dragon Cultural
Center. Master Sbarge teaches with the certification and sanction
of the ACCS, the Kuo Shu Federation of the Republic of China, and
the American Kenpo Association. He also taught tai chi at Central
Piedmont Community College and kungfu at South Charlotte Middle School.
While all schools and styles have valuable things to offer, we believe
that the serious student prepared to make the commitment to this unique
path of learning and development will find none better than The Peaceful Dragon.
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"Mr. Sbarge remains loyal to all he has
learned and continues to grow as a martial artist. His
love for the arts is shown by the efforts he puts
into it. His students are all a reflection
of his teachings and a credit to our art. Shao-lin
is sure to grow because of his efforts."
Grandmaster Frank DeMaria
"Our instructor's knowledge and ability to
teach both physical and mental aspects of
martial arts is what I appreciate."
David Block, Sales
"Sifu Eric Sbarge sets such a beautiful example of
leadership and integrity."
Kathy Crowe, Designer/Illustrator
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