Peaceful Dragon School offers self-care practices for well-being and to reduce stress in daily life. Students feel welcome when they step into the safe, calm and joyful atmosphere of the school. Relaxation, energy work and meditation techniques increase balance and mindfulness, as well as promoting a sense of harmony and well-being. Master Wasentha Young says, “You will find that the high quality of education and professional care at the Peaceful Dragon School can support your personal goals.”

The school has offered year-round programs since 1990 in the traditional Chinese health arts of tai chi (yang style-short form) and qigong (energy work) for adults and youth. Day and evening classes, practice sessions, private sessions and intensives are available. In addition to their collaborative relationship with the Ann Arbor Department of Recreation and Education and the University of Michigan, Peaceful Dragon allows local students and visitors from out of town to fit classes into their schedule. Their main objective is to create a safe, open-minded, respectful, peaceful and conscious attitude and atmosphere in which to study these complementary health-promoting art forms.

Young explains, “Aligning beautifully with your primary care physician’s guidance, classes at the Peaceful Dragon School can become a part of your health team and assist you in meeting the self-care practice goals you desire. A brief consultation about your goals can help you make the right choice between tai chi, energy work, muscle tension release, self-acupressure, meditation techniques classes, mini- workshops or retreats.”

A practitioner since 1968, Young lectures and educates in Ann Arbor and nationally on tai chi, qigong, meditation and self-care practices as they relate to human emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. She is a founding board member of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, and has taught at the Omega Institute, Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, in California, National Qigong Association, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, University of Michigan, United Auto Workers, Kaiser Wellness Foundation and the National Women’s Martial Artists Federation.

Grandmaster William CC Chen was Young’s first tai chi instructor when she learned the body mechanics and practical application. She has also studied with some of Professor Cheng Man-Ching’s prominent disciples. Young received formal training in Buddhist and Taoist meditation from Trungpa Rinpoche and Gia-Fu Feng, respectively, in addition to earning a master’s degree in transpersonal studies. Sharing her in-depth knowledge of practices that nurture the human spirit, promote health and foster respect for the balance between nature and human life helps to move students into a place of strength, harmony and well-being.