Sifu Aaron Dison

Prior to opening Dragon Phoenix, I worked as an elementary school teacher for six and a half years. My goal as a teacher continues to be, "Helping students to make wise decisions and to grow into kind people who have a passion for learning and growing."

   As my skills as a teacher grew, so did my desire to always become a better teacher. I saw that at the heart of learning was a need to have confidence to accept the world how it is, and that there are many ways to grow.

   Martial Arts has had an incredibly positive effect on my life and has helped me to be a better person. It has helped me to find peace when I was angry. It has helped me to stay fit and active so that I feel good in my body and can do fun things in life that make me happy. It has helped me to keep my mind sharp and it has helped me to feel more connected with the world around me.

   These are reasons why I decided to combine my love of teaching with my love of Martial Arts to share with others. I hope that my students may gain the self-discipline, control and wisdom to seek harmony in their lives and find inner peace so they can be successful wherever their paths may take them and to help make this world a better place.

I began my studies in martial arts in 1998 while in high school and was quickly promoted to the rank of Taekwondo Instructor. My learning has never stopped and during the past many years I have studied many styles of martial arts. To learn more about my credentials you can click on this link. Movement in martial arts has always come naturally to me. Despite being very proficient in fighting skills, I prefer a path of peace. My favorite saying to illustrate this is, “It is better to be a Warrior in a garden than a Gardener in a war.”

In 2023 I formally became an Inner Door Disciple of Cheng Baguazhang Master Li Chunling.

I continue to study to this day and consider myself an Eternal Student. No matter how good one becomes, there is always room for growth. I spend time studying the works and movements of some of the greatest masters of Chen Tai Chi, Cheng Baguazhang, and Xing Yi during the week when I am not teaching. This is what I do full time and have dedicated my life to Internal Kung Fu.

On the weekends I try to give my mind and body a break by spending time at home where I have built a small homestead and I restore antique sports cars for fun.

 Sifu Mark Small

Mark Small discovered taijiquan in 1958 as a child actor but began serious practice as a teenager, always preferring internal practices (Neijia) over hard styles of gong fu.  For over 50 years he sought out teachers and diversified his Chinese martial arts with the following prominently masters, among others:   Colonel Y.W. Chang - Chen Pan Ling Taiji, Grandmasters’ Chang Tung-Sheng - Shaijiao, Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming and Huang Chien-Liang - Qin Na, Henry Look - Yi Quan, Chan Pui - Wah Lum Gong Fu Long Weapons, Masters’ Jou Tsung-Hwa - Chen Taiji, Madam Wang Ju-Rong and Master Nick Gracenin- Swords, Masters’ Ben Lo, Abraham Lu, William C. C. Chen, Peter Ralston, Sam Masich, George Xu, and Alan Ludmer - Tui Shou, Yang Yang - Chansigong, Daniel Weng & John Wang- Shuaijiao, Choy Kan Man, Wu Wen-Ching and Wei-Lun Huang - Yang Taiji, Adam Hsu and Grace Wu - Bajiquan, and Thomas Lussier - Liuhebafa.

Mark backed his way into Xingyi and Bagua by practicing Chen Pan Ling’s 99 posture Taijiquan.  His book: Taiji, Xingyi, Baguaquan Throwing By Way of Our Modern Masters was published in 2011.  He is also published in T’ai Chi and Qi Magazines and was a presenter twice at National Qigong Association annual meetings.  

Mark is a 5th generation Yang Family Sifu out of the Choy Kam-man Academy, San Francisco, a 1st generation Ling Yun Pai disciple in the Chen Pan-ling International Martial Arts Association (ROC), and a 4th degree Black Sash master in the tradition of Grandmaster Liang Shou-yu’s Wuji Xiaoyao Pai through the International Wushu San Shou Dao Association of Vancouver, Canada. He is a member of the U. S. Kuoshu Federation (USKSF) and a board member of the Carolina Association of Chinese Martial Artists (CACMA). Along with his students, he is a past gold medalists in internal and external forms and push hands competition.  

https://www.facebook.com/smallmark

 Sifu Bonner Dison

Bonner has been studying Chen style Tai Chi and Baguazhang since 2010.  Theses styles include many qigong forms, including silk reeling.  

She earned her degree in Theatre Arts at Auburn University in 1978 and has been directing and teaching all ages for over 35 years.  Her experience in dance, creative movement, and athletics has motivated her to learn Kung Fu. It incorporates the body and mind, and has healing benefits along with stretching and constant spiral movement.

"Silk reeling soothes my spirit and helps me to focus and relax."

 Lara Ferguson

Lara Ferguson Diaz, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M. (NCCAOM) is a certified Medical Qigong Instructor who began her qigong studies in 2007 with Jeffrey Yuen, 88th generation Daoist priest and master.  Lara continued her Qigong studies with Tracey Peck, Alex Feng, and others.  After graduating acupuncture school in 2011, she began teaching on invitation at the Cancer Institute, then for several years on staff at the Om Sanctuary.  After many years of teaching Qigong, Lara became certified in Medical Qigong and Qi Healing with David Coon of Golden Dragon Qigong.  Lara continues her Qigong studies with David and Jeffrey on a regular basis has been teaching weekly for over nine years.  In addition to her acupuncture practice, Lara has taught herbalism at Daoist Traditions College of Medical Arts. Lara is Owner and Acupuncturist at Lutea Acupuncture in collaboration with Integrative Family Medicine in the River Arts District.  

Lara also holds degrees in writing and music. A mother, writer, musician, herbalist and acupuncturist, she considers healing to be a heart-centered practice.

 Sifu Susan Francis

Susan Francis enjoys teaching Qigong and Tai Chi as conscious movement practices, and believes they are powerful tools for optimal wellness. Practicing the slow movements with breathing can lead to greater balance, energy  and strength on multiple levels, - physical, mental and emotional - increased immune system functions and help us to deal with stress. 

Susan studied karate in her early 20s, and has performed with a variety of dance groups. She is a certified Plant Based Nutrition Coach, and an artist, specializing in wildlife and animal art. 

Her websites are: Conscious Eating Consulting 

www.consciouseatinghealthcoach.com and www.susanfrancisart.com 

Instagram: @cechealth18, YouTube:  Conscious Eating Consulting  

You can also contact her at veguc8ng@gmail.com

 Sifu Ken Ryder

  Ken's journey into martial arts started in 2010 when he was visited by the "pain teacher". In order to rehabilitate his body, he began learning Qi gong and Shaolin Kung Fu. After learning the healing benefits of internal arts, he decided to further his knowledge and began learning Yang 37 Tai Chi Chuan from Paul Summey in 2014. He soon became one of Paul's most dedicated students, eventually being put in the position to teach new students of the form along with the other senior students. When he is not practicing his Tai Chi, Ken enjoys gardening, hiking, and camping with his wife, Katie, while chasing after their son, Henry, who was born in 2021. He is a firm believer that Tai Chi saved his life and wants to share the gift with others.

 Annie Sparks Poteat

Black Belt Nia Teacher since 2005 and founder of the Asheville Nia community, Annie Sparks Poteat began her joyous Nia journey in 1997. Since then she has been sharing the benefits of Nia movement in university settings, dance and yoga studios, and senior retirement communities for over 24 years.

Currently offering in-person classes at the Asheville Botanical Gardens, as well as private classes for senior retirement communities. Check back frequently: new classes are currently being added! All will be listed here as well as on the public Facebook group, Nia with Annie!

DreamDancinAnnie@gmail.com

 Liz Ridley

Liz Ridley has been an exercise instructor for many years. She held certifications from the American Council on Exercise and the Aquatic Exercise Association from 1995 - 2000. In 2014 she earned a certification from Balanced Body Pilates.

In the late 1990's she was introduced to Tai Chi by Sifu Mark Small of Mountain Dragon School here in Asheville. Sifu Small remains her primary martial arts teacher to this day.

Since that time, Liz has studied Chinese martial arts with many instructors. From 2014-2018 she was certified to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis by Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institure. In Asheville she has taught Tai Chi at Asheville Academy of Taekwondo, UNCA College for Seniors, Southeastern Sports Medicine, Ardenwoods Retirement Community and Asheville Community Yoga to name a few.

Liz has studied Qigong with Master Wen Cheng Wu of Way of the Dragon school in Rhode Island, Alan Horowitz of Asheville Qigong and Dr. Larry Cammarata of Mind Body Wellness.

She practices and teaches Yang and Sun style Tai Chi as well as Lieubafa (Water Boxing) and Tai Chi single and double fan.

Currently Liz holds a teaching certificate from Silver Sneakers and is a certified Instructor with the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association.

"Nothing pleases me more than encouraging students in their pursuit of wellness through Tai Chi and Qigong,"

 Emily Dison

Emily Dison is an Artist, Movement Practitioner and aspiring designer. Emily has a decade of teaching and considers herself a creative student of life. She has recently returned to Asheville after touring the country working music and art festivals, and living in La Paz, Baja California Mexico where she taught Yoga + Barre classes at retreat centers Casa Tara and Puerta Cortés.

Emily’s classical ballet background and training comes from Vaganova and Cecchetti methods. At a young age, she trained with Natalia Rayevskiy in all five Rhythmic Gymnastics apparatuses while training with the Classical Ballet Academy of Northwest Arkansas.  Emily was the hip hop teacher at New Ballet Ensemble in Memphis Tennessee, taught ballet and lyrical in the private and public school systems, and studios around the mid south. She performed with New Ballet Ensemble as a company member in the role of the “Rat Queen” in The Nut Remix and was also an NBA dancer from seasons 2011 – 2016  with the Memphis Grizzlies. During her professional dance career, she trained in Studio City California under the Hollywood Barre franchise, Cardio Barre. She has since received her 200hr Yoga and Adv Reiki certifications.

Other choreography and performance credits include dance soloist and ensemble work with Memphis Playhouse on the Square for shows like “Mama Mia!” , “Rock of Ages” and “Memphis” the musical. Television credit includes a series as a burlesque dancer on season 1 of Hulu’s “Reprisal” . She was show girl choreographer and performer for Harrah’s casinos in Tunica Mississippi, and back of dance and choreographer for Maui Hawaii’s “Burning Love” during Elvis week.

 Irene Ross-Piazza

Irene Ross-Piazza has been training in Internal martial arts, such as Chen style Tai Chi and Baguazhang, since 2005. 

Since early 2022, she has been training with Dr. Bernard Shannon, DTCM, DMQ, a Taoist priest of the 21st Generation of the Dragon Gate sect & 66th Generation of the Celestial Masters sect. Through her training with Dr. Shannon at the International College of Medical Qigong, she has become a certified Medical Qigong Practitioner. She is continuing her training to become a certified Medical Qigong Therapist and eventually a Doctor of Medical Qigong.

In 2022, Irene founded Harmony Qigong Healing, a healing practice of Medical Qigong (MQ). MQ is done on a massage table with the patient fully clothed. It addresses the underlying root cause of dis-ease and can treat a variety of disharmonies within the body, including pain management, relieving mental fog, speedier injury recovery, improving balance, increasing emotional calm and dissolving long-held obstructions and accumulations. MQ is an ancient pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Other branches of TCM include acupuncture, herbalism and Chinese medical massage.

Since 1998, Irene has taught several meditation, movement and energywork courses with her partner, Giuseppe Piazza.

She also holds a Bachelors of Science in Management and Accounting with a minor in Economics and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). For over 20 years, she worked in finance and accounting in tandem with practicing and teaching visually guided meditation, Reiki, Seichim-Sekhem, Indirect Unwinding and Chen-style silk-reeling spiral power Qigong.

She loves teaching and awakening others to the incredible power of the Intangible becoming tangible.

 Tyler White

Tyler White is a Chinese medicine physician who practices yang Taiji by way of Adam Mizner - Huang Xing Xian - Cheng Man Ching.  

In addition to medicine, Tyler has studied Daoist meditation and martial arts over the last fifteen years.  He draws his practice from the Wudang San Feng school (武當三峰派) and the Hua Shan Yu Qing Huang Lao school (華山黃老派), a branch of the Shang Qing (上清) sect of Daoism.  He’s studied taijiquan, meditation, and qigong in the tradition of the Wudang San Feng sect with Master Zhong Xue-Chao (Master Bing) and Master Yun Xiang-Zeng (Master Chen).