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.

Charlotte's only Chang-style Tai Chi Chu'an and Kung Fu school offers programs for children and…read moreadults, including Yoga, Meditation, and the Zen Weight Loss Boot Camp. I've been attending for a year and a half and have seen tremendous improvement in my balance, stress levels, focus, and general well-being. The instructors at The Peaceful Dragon have to complete a ten-year training period before teaching others... this is NOT your fly-by-night strip mall martial arts school, but they make Tai Chi and Kung Fu accessible to all ages and abilities.

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.