Kids and Teens Kung Fu

Imparting Wisdom and Guidance through the Art

Our Program

Our school's curriculum includes all three branches of Chinese Internal Martial Arts; Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Taijiquan. It is designed to begin with the foundations of these styles while also teaching application and self awareness. As the students progress, they learn more of the intricacies of each style from multiple points of view. All material is advanced material brought to the level of a beginner, with an emphasis on Martial Values.

The styles of Kung Fu taught at Dragon Phoenix are established, time tested, and highly respected in the Kung Fu world. We are constantly working to refine our curriculum and grow as teachers and as martial artists so as to provide the highest quality instruction possible. The path of growth and learning is never-ending, which is what makes it so exciting. In prior decades, it was near impossible to find teachers who were qualified to teach Internal Kung Fu or who would teach Americans. It is very rare to find all of these styles housed under one roof and taught to kids and teens in a thorough, cohesive manner.

While we pay attention to detail and correctness, we also believe that students should learn in a healthy, growth centered way. Students are allowed to progress at their own speed, and the depth of their understanding is dependent on their dedication to learning. We teach with Love and Logic and appreciation for each child’s individual learning style, not with control and force. In this way students learn to become masters of themselves, which is what it truly means to become a Kung Fu Master.

Our Head Instructor and founder

Shifu Aaron Dison holds a Master’s Degree in Education and left his previous career as an Elementary School Teacher to open Dragon Phoenix in 2014. He understands the psychology of a learner as well as how to structure lessons in comprehensive ways that build strategically, take into account different learning styles, and teach on multiple levels simultaneously. Some of the core teaching concepts that have shaped him as a teacher are; Multiple Intelligence Theory, Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy, and Teaching with Love and Logic.

He has sought out some of the highest level Kung Fu masters in the world to study with and is a 6th generation Cheng Baguazhang Master under Shifu Li Chunling, top disciple of the legendary Sun Zhijun. He is also a student of Chen Bing, who grew up in Chen Village and is a direct descendent of the family that created Tai Chi. Prior to this he reached the level of Black Belt in 5 other styles. Shifu Aaron continues to study and learn with his master and other teachers, and considers himself a lifelong student. This is his life and full time career, not something he does on the side.

What your Child will Learn

Your child will learn focus, awareness, and that they are capable of anything they put their heart into. We do not teach forced discipline, we teach self-discipline. They will learn to understand themselves as learners so that they can become their own teacher in life. Kung Fu is not just about combat skills, its about finding harmony in your life, with yourself, and with others. Students will learn correct posture. This is very important for multiple reasons; one is that correct posture is required to have good Kung Fu, another is that it creates an atmosphere of confidence, strength, and courage. Bullies go after a perceived weaker target. By moving and communicating with confidence, 90% of harassment from bullies can be stopped without confrontation. Studies have also shown that how we express our bodies (facial expressions and posture), have a direct connection to how we feel about ourselves and our situations. By standing, talking, and moving with confidence, we become confident.

Why Dragon Phoenix

We operate very differently than most martial arts schools and value quality of instruction over quantity of students. We keep our class sizes small so that students get more personalized instruction. We do not force you to sign a contract requiring you to commit to years worth of instruction, and we do not guarantee that your child will reach the level of Black Sash within a certain time period. You are not buying belts here, you are enrolling your child in our school. Our pricing is very straightforward with no hidden fees. We promise to do our best to help your child meet their potential, but all students learn differently and at different paces. We cannot force them to be enthusiastic, and we promote them when they have met the proper criteria. We promise to give your child our best, and to share our enthusiasm and passion for learning.

We often get students who were unhappy at other martial arts schools for various reasons who feel right at home at Dragon Phoenix and love the learning environment that we have created.

Dragon Phoenix is a very unique school, there are no others like it in the United States. The styles taught here are usually reserved for adults who have already attained the level of Black Belt (or Black Sash). We are the only school we know of that teaches all 3 branches of Internal Kung Fu to children as a full, comprehensive curriculum. We do this very successfully, and our students perform very well at Tournaments and Competitions. When we go places our students are always talked about favorably for their positive attitudes, their love for learning, and their kindness and politeness towards others.

Video Library

Dragon Phoenix also has an Online Academy where we teach students from all over the world. The styles and specific lineages we teach are very highly regarded and sought after by people who know what they are. Your child will have access to the relevant instructional material from our Online Academy as a bonus to their instruction. Students can log in to the Academy through our website where they will find instructional videos breaking down all of the material they learn in class so that they can practice at home and learn at their own pace.

Testing and Curriculum

We handle testing a little differently than most martial arts schools. Students will record themselves performing the material and send in their videos for review. If they still need work, they will be given pointers on what parts need improvement. Once they have submitted a video that passes our standards, then they have passed the test. After that they will give a short demonstration at the end of class to receive their patch and certificate, and will be promoted to the next level. In levels 1-4 we are simply looking for the students to be able to do the material independently with basic understanding. As students progress through the levels they will work to improve on material they have learned in previous levels. To attain the rank of Black Sash for each style, students will need to show fluidity and awareness of foundational details and principles. Black Sash is the Kung Fu equivalent to Black Belt and is considered a middle level. Beyond that is Teaching and Discipleship.

Recording and submitting videos at first seems like a daunting task, so we try to make it as easy as possible by helping level 1 students with recording themselves after class. If you are recording your videos at home all you have to do is upload to your Google Drive and share the file with Shifu Aaron.

For a more detailed breakdown of our Curriculum Click Here .

Building Leaders

With our Leadership Program students are taught how to teach and better communicate with others. We have 3 levels of assistant teachers. Junior Instructors are ages 8 and up, and help with basic warmups and drills. Assistant Instructors are ages 12 and up and help with intermediate exercises and drills, and helping students in class. Mentors are ages 15 and up and lead the more advanced exercises, give personalized instruction in class and help to train the younger assistants. The classes are run by either Shifu Aaron or a student who has attained the level of Black Sash. All assistants help with keeping our school tidy, practicing with students before and after class, and the older assistants help with recording testing material for students after class.

Making Good Choices

We end all of our classes by reading Dao philosophy and a short sitting meditation. Dao philosophy is thousands of years old and is where the concept of Yin and Yang come from. Yin and Yang represents opposites that work in harmony to create a balance (up and down, winter and summer, day and night, happiness and sadness, etc.). Dao philosophy can be broken down into 3 main concepts; Go with the Flow, Variations on Yin and Yang, and to Be Yourself. It teaches students not what to think, but instead How to Think. I have found that it brings a calmness that comes from building Emotional Maturity, Critical Thinking Skills, and Awareness of Self and Others.