Great testing day!

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Congratulations to all the students who earned new ranks today.

Little Dragons

Joseph Fleicher - White Sash
Krystian Isaacs - Beginner Level 1
Dean Bennett - Beginner Level 1
Jaxon Ruth - Beginner Level 2
Kyle Bates - Beginner Level 3
Caroline Melnick - Beginner Level 4
Michael Saari - Intermediate Level 2
Sam Huchouski - Intermediate Level 2
Luca Mailloux - Intermediate Level 3
Rowan McGaffey - Intermediate Level 3

Element Phase

Kimberly Ortega - Orange Sash
Conner Daniel - Fire Sash

Element Phase Adults

Lauren Daniel - Orange Sash
Kreg Howk - Orange Sash

New ranks earned at Dragon Gate!

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Congratulations go out to all the students (and parents) at this latest test session.

Following some heavy snow the last week in January, we had our test on Saturday the 31st. Test day was a bit slow going with a power outage that forced us to improvise. Thanks to all for your understanding. 

Here is a list of students and their new ranks.

Little Dragons

Jaxon - Beginer Level 1
Landon  - Beginner Level 1
Dean - Beginner Level 1
Jael  - Beginner Level 3
Caroline  - Beginner Level 3
Kyle - Beginner Level 3
Jonathan - Beginner Level 3
Shane -  Intermediate Level 1
Luca-  Intermediate Level 1
Michael-  Intermediate Level 1

Element Phase

Hayden - Fire Sash
Delaney - Yellow Sash
Angela - Yellow Sash
Mason - Yellow Sash
Thomas - Water Sash
Andrew - Metal Sash

We also presented Meghan McNamara with her Dragon Gate name. A name is given to those students that make it to the Element Sash level and show dedication the their art and Dragon Gate. 

Shifu Eric LEcuyer, Shifu Umar Arrastia, Andrew Le, Shifu John Bradley, Thomas Smith, Jarod, Mason Engall, Shissu Eric Matta and Meghan Manamara.

Shifu Eric LEcuyer, Shifu Umar Arrastia, Andrew Le, Shifu John Bradley, Thomas Smith, Jarod, Mason Engall, Shissu Eric Matta and Meghan Manamara.

The Dragon Ring

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A Family tradition in Pai Family Martial arts. The Dragon Ring signifies commitment and dedication to the art and is rarely awarded. Students that show the utmost respect, love and dedication to the art and school are granted the priveledge to wear dragon ring and be recongized as a Pai Family martial arts practitioners. 

Where the ring is worn indicates the generation and rank of the practitioner. In our tradition the ring is not awarded to any student below Adult intermediate/advanced level which means the ring would be worn on the ring or middle finger. Instructors wear the ring on the index finger. 

Though there have been a few designes over the years from 1st through 3rd Generation. This Design is very commonly recognized as the Pai Family ring.

Over the course of the past 20 years your instructors have only granted 4 rings. We hold the priveledge precious. If you keep up your training and show genuine love and effort, you may earn a ring on your path to the Dragon Gate.

Many People Think That Martial Arts Is Just About Fighting, But This Neuroscientist Disagrees!

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Many people think martial arts are solely about honing your fighting abilities, but could they really be more about developing the mind? This film interviews Tai Chi, Hapkido and Taekwondo practitioners as well as a scientist and clinician who has been putting these ideas into practice when working with people with mental health issues.

December 6th Testing

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On Saturday Dec 6th Dragon Gate Kungfu held their regular Rank Evaluations. It was a great day with students being evaluated for several different rank levels from the various student programs Little Dragons, Kids 5 Element Phase, and Teen/Adult 5 Element phase. 
Congratulations to all of them for showing effort and dedication to themselves and the art! We look forward to heling them all progress. 

5 Element Sash - Meaghan: This Sash is a big deal because it symbolizes the end phase of the 5 elements as she prepares to enter the 5 Animal phase of her training. Meaghan is only the third student to reach this mark. 

Kids 5 Element phase. White Sash - Kimberly 
Kids 5 Element phase. White Sash - Isaac
Little Dragon Beg. Level 3 - Luca & Shane 
Little Dragon Beg. Level 2 - Jonathan, Sam, & Kyle 
Little Dragon Beg. Level 1 - Danika 

Dragon Gate Kungfu holds rank evaluations once every session to ensure each student has an opportunity to try and advance. In some occasions students don't meet the minimum score to advance in rank, but we focus on the effort; offer remedial training and the student always comes back, tries again and passes the second time. That lesson is more important than just about any we can teach. 

"fall down seven times, stand up eight"
-martial proverb

Happy Holidays
Your Dragon Gate Kungfu Instructors