Bagua Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial art that integrates both health and self-defense into a dynamic discipline that is great for men and …
ADULTS PROGRAM (Ages 18 and Up) New students get FOUR WEEKS FREE! Adults have lots of options for fitness and conditioning, but those who train …
“ Kung Fu for Teens (12 to 17 years) New Students get FOUR WEEKS FREE! Martial Arts is the perfect activity for teens, and our …
Junior Kung Fu (Ages 8 to 12) New Students get FOUR WEEKS FREE! Martial Arts is the perfect activity for young boys and girls, and …
Martial Arts Classes: Training for the Body, Mind, & Spirit There are many martial arts schools in the Bergen County, NJ area that can teach …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Shopping for gifts, decorating the house, baking goodies, attending parties, visiting family…there are so many fun and …
Want To Be Better At Sports? Martial Arts Can Help! An athlete is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a person who is trained or skilled …
How Our Martial Arts Classes Help Kids and Teens To Develop Better Effort and Focus ‘Try as hard as I can at everything I do!’ …
How Our Martial Arts Classes Help Kids and Teens To Develop More Positive Feelings and Behaviors Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? …
How Our Martial Arts Classes Help Kids and Teens To Develop More Positive Social Relationships We cannot properly learn martial arts without plenty of interaction …
How Our Martial Arts Classes Get Kids and Teens Excited To Learn and Better Able To Remember Have you ever wondered why children and teens …
The Benefits of Game-Based Learning In Our 8-12 year-olds When we hear the word “learn” we often think of children sitting in a classroom, …
Only $199 – Use COUPON CODE ‘VIP’ To Save! Get Some Structured Fun This Summer! Kids and Adults (Separate Classes)!!
Benefits to SKILLZ Training Over Summertime During the school season teachers, assistants, and counselors are focused on helping your children learn and grow. But what …
Patience Take a few extra seconds when responding to poor behavior. This demonstrates compassion, empathy, and self-control on your part. Sometimes all you need to …
Kids Are Happiest When They Feel Connected With Their Parents One of the most important things that you can do as a parent is to …
We Provide A Clear Path To Find Out At the Blue Dragon School of Martial Arts, we want to make sure you and your …
Why Our Little Dragons Are Getting A BIG Upgrade The Science & Psychology Behind SKILLZ Master Melody, as she is known to her students, started …
Recommended Articles For Blue Dragon School Students (Getting Started): ‘Think About It! Pa Kua Chang’s Infinite Strategies’ (Inside Kung Fu Magazine, May, 1995) ‘Yin & …
This archived article list exists as a reference for students who are familiar with our former website and wish to find articles they are familiar …
Respect is one of those hard to define qualities that can often be seen both by its presence and its absence. When it is present, …
In our overly-competitive world, it is easy to get immersed in the pursuit of perfection. There is stress when you have people over and you …
If you participate in any sport, including martial arts, you should know the importance of hydration. Especially in the hot summer months, losing enough water …
“ The term kung fu is not just a term relating to martial arts in the Chinese language. It also has to do with anything …
“ Everyone has an ego. One of the lessons to be learned is how to control your ego so it doesn’t bring you trouble. Many …
“ In many movies involving groups of people, usually men, being trained for some specific endeavor the idea of ‘getting your mind right’ in order …
“ It seems our country is becoming more and more selfish every day. In order for us to succeed as a country and for you …
“ The connection between meditation and kung fu goes back as far as the art has history. The tendency of many students of the martial …
“ Just about everyone who engages in any kind of sport knows the importance or stretching before and/or after engaging in physical activity. In those …
“ Everyone breathes. That’s a given, if you want to keep living. But not everyone uses proper breathing techniques. In everything, especially martial arts, proper …
Everyone faces challenges in life, some are large, some are small. And everyone can use some tips on handling challenges. Handling challenges is not always …
One of the biggest issues you’ll encounter in life is facing adversity. It’s not a matter of if, but when, that will happen. Problems of …
“ No one truly likes to fail. But we all do. One of the best things everyone can realize is it’s possible to learn from …
“ “Success on any major scale requires you to take responsibility. In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the …
“ When you focus your energies on something, you’re thinking on purpose rather than just allowing thoughts to course through your mind. This is the …
“ The hard work of practice sometimes makes even the best of us want to just lay down and take it easy. But practice is …
“ In whatever you do in life, attitude is important. You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Because attitude is important, you could …
“ It seems pride in doing your best is seldom found in workmanship or training today. Many people just do what is required and nothing …
“ “The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. VISION will ignite the fire of passion that fuels …
“ A new chance to face challenges in your life a different way. A better way. A way that leads to a better you. Possibly …
“ The end of every year revolves around holidays, cold weather, and an amazing plethora of delicious foods, so it’s no wonder that one of …
“ The ancient Chinese exercises called chi kung has been around for thousands of years. They are so effective, they now are a part of …
“ Knowing the importance of sleep may be one of the best ways you can help yourself live longer, work better, and improve your ability …
“ Fear and the martial arts? Sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn’t it? Yet, fear plays a part, possibly a large part, in training …
“ All of us will at one time or another experience something in which we’re the victim. That’s normal. The question we face then is …
“ Kung-fu is a way to increase your self-defense skills, your physical well-being, and a way to bring balance to your mind, body, and spirit. …
“ When you think about martial arts training, you automatically think of training to fight. But it actually is training for life. Training for life? …
“ Human beings tend to get stuck on negative thinking ; when you believe in yourself, you break this habit. Why is it that we …
“ Affirmations in the martial arts will help bring you to the peak of your abilities. What are affirmations? They are those positive things you …
“ The reason for practice in martial arts is easy, right? Not necessarily. Most people believe practice makes perfect, so the major reason to practice …
“ Just as with most things in life, learning the basics of kung fu is the first step in mastering this martial art. Becoming an …
“ Using visualization in kung fu training can increase your skills without physically working out. Most top athletes use visualization to “see” themselves going through …
“ Insecure kids can be helped to develop security and confidence through practicing kung fu. Why is that important? Many kids who are insecure compare …
Below is our December 17, 2015 “End of Year” Meditation Class Talk. It was one of our best ever. We had over 60 in attendance! …
“ It’s not often people think of shy kids in martial arts. The popular image of the martial arts expert is that of the hero …
“ A very misunderstood word, humility is often seen as the same thing as meek or even weak. Nothing could be more wrong. Humility comes …
“ Commitment can be said to be “the state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action …” (from the American Heritage …
“ One of the most satisfying parts of martial arts training is reaching your goals. And this activity is one the many that transfers from …
“ The importance of the martial arts and focus becomes clearer as you consider how many hours a day people are plugged in to the …
“ In any worthwhile endeavor, the ability to harness mind power is essential for success. Top athletes are taught to visualize success. To “see” themselves …
“ Today’s world is not one in which staying calm is easy. The seemingly never-ending hustle and bustle of trying to stay even, much less …
“ When you think about one of your greatest accomplishments, you probably think about the perseverance it took for you to attain whatever it was. …
“ Responsibility: Doing what you say you’re going to do. Refusing to make excuses if things don’t go right. Knowing what to do and doing …
“ What is self-discipline? Self-discipline is the ability to control yourself. To keep temper from springing up in the face of frustration. The ability to …
“ Character development – building the ability to handle life challenges when they come at you like storm troopers ready to overwhelm you. All of …
Are you consuming life, or is it consuming you? At our end of year talks it’s only natural to discuss refection. The answer to the …
“ Practicing martial arts brings benefits well beyond those of being able to defend yourself. Not to make this benefit any less important than it …
“ Ask this question to people on the street, and you will most likely get answers that all mean the same thing: It is someone …
“ Our Annual Fall Retreat is designed to not only be about martial arts training in Ba Gua Zhang, with extensive hours in meditation, breathing, …
“ Back in college I had the good fortune to work with a former Olympic-level gymnastics coach and judge from Hungary. He once told us …
Below is an edited and shortened version of our December 13, 2012 Meditation Class Talk and beneath that you will find some written excerpts from …
Are martial arts all about fighting? If you’re training in the martial arts, and not fighting, can you still consider yourself a martial artist? In …
“ This past November, when I saw that the Tai Chi Broadsword class was being offered at the school again, I decided to try my …
I received a call from a good friend in the martial arts, Sifu Robert Brown, who offers martial arts classes in two locations just outside …
[wpevp id=”evp-07908c0e2bde851c33929580beb3d94a-wrap” class=”evp-video-wrap” src=”http://bodymindawakening.com/evp/framework.php?div_id=evp-07908c0e2bde851c33929580beb3d94a&id=MTIxNTExLWVuZC1vZi15ZWFyMS0xLm1wNA%3D%3D&v=1324096032&profile=default” init=”MTIxNTExLWVuZC1vZi15ZWFyMS0xLm1wNA==%%LBRACKET%%evp-07908c0e2bde851c33929580beb3d94a%%RBRACKET%%” width=”75%” height=”270px” /] As another year comes to an end, it is a common practice to look …
“ There is a very intriguing holiday on the horizon for us. That holiday is Thanksgiving. It’s the time of year when we gather our …
“ As with anything of value, the concept of Oneness must be experienced to be understood. There is no intellectual path to understanding Oneness, except …
“ We all need people who inspire us. We observe specific qualities in certain people that help make us want to be better in some …
“ Few things work so well as an analogy to illustrate how the practice of martial arts, real martial arts, changes lives like the Japanese …
“ Accidents do happen, but I would venture out and say that a very high percentage would be avoided if we were more in the …
“ In my early years of martial arts training, I can remember countless times when I would have a hard time in front of my …
“ This article is “Part 2” of “Finding The Greatness Within You”, When we properly practice, and study, real martial arts the benefits go beyond …
“ Another year has come and gone. Has it been different for you than previous years? Do you remember the good and the bad, the …
“ Some say relationships should be 50/50. I disagree. A truly successful relationship must be 100/100. When two complete people come together they will have …
In this most recent installment of “Finding the Greatness Within You”, we will explore a whole other realm beyond the physical and into the ultimate …
Are you a good partner in your relationships? In the month of February we usually think of one special love in our life, but what …
My earliest influences came from learning about patience, perseverance and a strong will. These three virtues are essential for success in anything. The will is …
You will be what you will to be;Let failure find its false contentIn the poor world, “environment,”But spirit scorns it, and is free. It masters …
There is a saying translated from ancient Sanskrit that says, “As the mind, so the person; bondage or liberation are in your own mind.” There …
When I learned the meditation approach of Master Park, he explained that if you cannot count backwards from 500 to zero without losing track, then …
In my early years of martial arts training, I can remember countless times when I would have a hard time in front of my teacher. I …
A mother, who already sustained a fractured skull and broken arm after being struck with a cane by a home intruder, proceeds to beat up …
“UNLESS THERE IS OPPOSING WIND A KITE CANNOT RISE.”Chinese Proverb Do not wish for an easy path. Be grateful for the challenges you face. This …
The two most common reasons people decide to take martial arts classes is self defense and exercise. In reality, when training in real martial arts, these …
Yin and Yang Circle Walking Pattern What is it about walking the circle that is so magical? Is it really that important? Is it really …
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru …
Ever since Chinese wushu began to be an exportable commodity, martial artists the world over have wondered about the actual fighting ability of its adherents. …
Focus, meditation, concentration, imagination-all terms used frequently here at The Blue Dragon School of Martial Arts. How important is it to learn to control, and …
Have you noticed the way people use language such as: “He did this to me,” or “Why are you doing this to me?” Well, if …
When it comes to properly training for increased flexibility, we have experience vs. education and tradition vs. science. What I have found in more than …
A warm-up is recommended to consist of all of the following: 1) cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels; 2) stretching; and 3) sport-specific activities (such as …
The most basic palm striking exercise, Dou Zhang (pronounced, “dough-ew jong” and meaning “Shaking, or Vibrating Palm”) is an essential part of your fundamental practice …
Would you like to be able to control an attack against you without actually injuring your attacker? If someone you care about loses control due …
In the first part of this article, How is Ba Gua Zhang Different – Part I, I described how the principles of nature have been …
Snake-like body movements; highly evasive footwork; powerful palm strikes; and , of course, the practice of walking in a circle. These are common descriptions of …
If there was one goal you could set for the new year that would profoundly effect the way you feel on a daily basis, how …
When people think about self defense, and training in the martial arts for that purpose, the focus is on learning to punch, block, and kick …
What is a “good question”? A good question is one that will help to guide you in the direction you want to go in life. …
I recently had the opportunity to drive out to the Detroit area and the privilege of meeting Sifu Robert Brown and his assistant, Jeri Donahue. …
Qi Gong (pronounced “chee gong” and also written as Ch’i Kung or Chi-Gung) is one of the most substantial differences between Chinese martial arts and …
In modern times, when people speak of Qi Gong, (chee gung; also, ch’i gong, qigong) they are nearly always referring to the health side. Last …
The use of a colored belt to signify a level of rank and accomplishment in the martial arts can be traced back to the founder …
Is this choice going to help take me where I want to go in my life and result in long-term satisfaction or is it only …
Upon entering a traditional school of martial arts, the student encounters numerous rules to follow. Courtesy and etiquette are an important part of the learning …
Do I focus on the good or do I focus on the bad? Am I an optimist or a pessimist? Do I dwell on my …
To the average American, the logo that is used for our school is quite strange and has little meaning. Filled with what seems to be …
Zen, short for Zen Buddhism, in essence is meditation or deep contemplation. Historically, Zen Buddhism originates in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Around 500 B.C. …
When you have a decision to make, big or small, try asking yourself, “Which choice will help to bring me where I want to go …
There are only two ways to make more Qi (pronounced, “chee”) or life force energy in the body: by breathing and eating. There is so …
To breathe is to be alive. Everything from plants to trees to animals to people must breathe to live. From the moment of the infant’s …
As a martial artist, awareness is an essential skill. Awareness of your surroundings is necessary for safety, but also consider applying it to: your actions; …
It’s been said that all Asian martial arts – Japanese Jujitsu and Aikido; Korean Tang Soo Do and now Tae Kwon Do; Okinawan Karate; and …
Lessons in Mindfulness is a powerful program to help students of any martial art understand the deeper philosophical aspects of the practice. It is a …
Will I use this situation as an opportunity for personal growth or will I beat myself up about it? One of the prerequisites to personal …
Shifu, (i.e. “Sifu”) translated literally means, “teacher-father” and so denotes a martial arts teacher in the position of a “father, or head, of the school.” …
When I first met Master Park, I already had over seven years of Chinese martial arts (Shaolin Long Fist, Tai Ji, Xing Yi Quan, and …
There’s an ancient saying in the martial arts, “The practice begins and ends with etiquette.” Some replace “etiquette” with “respect”, but it is the same. …
In the year before I ever took my first official class in kung fu, I discovered in a book three things that changed the course …
Agitation from withinrobs one of reflectionand clarity of vision.In this state of mind,it is of course impossibleto act with presence of mind.The right thing, then,is …
Ever think of someone and then they call? Have you had something happen that led you down a certain path as if it was meant …
“A Tale of Two Men,” from, “The Wisdom of James Allen”: “I knew two men who, at an early age, lost their hard earned savings …
Going… going… gone… No, I’m not talking about baseball. I’m talking about life. This is the time of year when things really get out of …
Coming up through the many years I’ve practiced Chinese martial arts, one of the more unique qualities was that 80-90% of the time we practiced …
Our dojang is founded on the Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang Motto: Wisdom; Benevolence; Sincerity; Bravery. The Motto was created by Lu Shu De, the …
Imagine awaking early in the morning to the sounds of nature. Soon after, you take a five-minute walk in the crisp morning air on the …
“…without benevolence, a student’s pride, ego or arrogance takes control. …Benevolence is required and grows with the cultivation of wisdom.” — from the home page …
I would like to share a story that I read before I started training in the martial arts. It was probably the single most influential …
The term “kung fu” has been used to describe Chinese martial arts for some time. Although it has become an accepted term in western cultures, …
People are starting new activities everyday. There are many activities that just take up time, and there are others that can make a difference in …
Have you ever taken a good look at the different people you know? Have you ever noticed that some people are always talking about others, …
Wisdom, Benevolence, Sincerity and Bravery “These four words comprise the motto of Master Bok-Nam Park’s Pa Kua Kung Fu School and the Ch’iang Shan …
It’s an interesting concept, that we all seem to have some way to judge if someone is a winner or a loser in life. Maybe …
A few times while giving a lecture or just speaking to others about following the laws of nature to live a longer and healthier life, …
Awakening in the morning I see that the sun has not yet shown its face. The sky is beginning to brighten, however. I notice the …
In a previous article entitled, Always Practicing, I wrote about awareness and being in the moment. I also gave examples of all the things that …
The end of another year and the start of the next is once again upon us. With December bringing the holiday and gift-giving season along …
Story One Many years ago, a volunteer at Stanford Hospital got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and …
The concept of yin & yang dates back more than 5000 years in China. It is a way in which all existence is explained …
Note: This piece was written in reaction to an article in the Black Belt Newsletter, issued by NAPMA, about Bruce Lee’s contributions to the martial …
“A journey of a thousand milesbegins with a single step.” I was seventeen years old when I met the “new guy in school.” He was …
Have you ever considered yourself a master? Think about all the skills you have learned throughout your life, from the first time you found your …
For Health… Understanding the duality of yin and yang is essential to the Chinese concept of “balance.” Just as the balance of yin and yang …
Through the observations by ancient sages, the natural trinity of, “yin & yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams” were created to explain how …
Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang) is one of the most complex and misunderstood of Chinese martial arts. It is one of the internal styles, …
The Chinese word, “gua” (as in “Ba Gua Zhang”) is translated into English as, “trigram,” or “diagram.” The following is a brief explanation of its …
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