Name: Arthur Lo

Years in Martial Arts: 11 years

Interests: Photography, Skiing, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts teaches people to have a positive attitude. It also brings to people the mindset that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, have patience, and always practice.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has taught me to have a positive attitude that can be transferred into daily life, such as carrying self-confidence, which is everything. It helped me with school, work or play. Better yet, it has taught me to believe in myself and having a positive attitude that drives anyone to strive to be better in life, and to attain goals people once set and forgotten because they gave up before giving it a chance.

Name: Navdeep Sandhu

Years in Martial Arts: 9 years

Interests: Martial Arts, Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cars, Motorcycles and more

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can help create a positive and optimistic attitude within people

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me keep fit, both physically and mentally. It has also helped me realize that I can do things that I never would have dreamt of doing before.

Name: Jonross Fong

Years in Martial Arts: 5 years

Interests: Martial Arts, Soccer, Video Games and Tennis

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? It can bring confidence to people and can help then keep fit.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial has helped me gain confidence, and it has also helped me keep healthy and strong.

Name: Melline Jaini (Mell)

Years in Martial Arts: 7 years in Taekwondo (on and off), 1 year in Wushu and brief experience in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Interests: Martial Arts, snowboarding, badminton, video editing/production, social contexts of Information Technology, Political Economy & Development, technology/gadgets, movies, music, Malay food, traveling, reading, religion, the United Nations, good conversation, family and home (Brunei).

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Discipline, focus and fun! It’s a sport, an art and a realization that occurs within oneself before, during and after a martial arts workout. For some people, it even goes as far as becoming a passion. Regardless, it takes you to levels where you’re constantly improving yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Before Martial Arts, “difficulty” was a terrain that I attempted to avoid. Now everything seems to adapt to me, not the other way around, particularly in reference to the mentality one carries on in facing challenges. Martial Arts just made me more balanced in that I am always reminded to focus on the present, and I am able to apply that in my day-to-day activities. Now I find that I manage my time better so as to make things less overwhelming for me in terms of work, school or just general responsibilities. I no longer worry so much about what’s done or what’s yet to come—just take it as it comes my way or carry a “dust yourself off and try again” mentality. I like the idea of having a goal that is closer than imagined. Going for my black belt adds to the list of motivations in my life. I think I’m able to surprise myself more each day with what I’m capable of doing. For example, I never knew I was flexible and able to master things quickly. Best of all, I’ve come out of my shell. I belong to a family and a larger community that consists of people from entirely different backgrounds. In the end we were united by one passion—Martial Arts. I love walking into Dragon Temple knowing that I’m sweating alongside people who are helping one another improve.

Name: Shelly Sharma

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: I like playing all types of sports, spending my free time with family and friends, and i also love going on outdoor trips

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can bring a postive aspect into people's lives, along with self-confidence. It can also help keep you fit physically and mentally.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me by keeping fit both physicaly and mentally. It has also given me a sense of accomplishment that no other sport has brought to my life. In addition to it has also given me the chance to help others.

Name: Kailea Wong

Years in Martial Arts: 2 years

Interests: Figure Skating, Volleyball, Soccer, all sports

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can give people the self-discipline and confidence they need to overcome their daily obstacles. It's a good release when dealing with stress or pressure. It teaches you to respect yourself and others. The school is also a great place to make new friends and it will eventually feel like a second home to you. It can help you lose weight, strengthen muscles, be more flexible, and teach you self-defense!

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has given me the ambition to succeed mentally and physically in any challenges that I encounter. It has given me a goal to reach (black belt) and with a more optimistic out look. It's also given courage and strength in everything I do. Plus, I get to learn another language (Korean).

Name: Gloria Jang

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: listening to music, food, piano, hiking, tennis, volleyball, traveling.

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? It promotes well-being for the self, both on a physical and mental level. It can give people a great sense of accomplishment and increased confidence which can positively impact other aspects of their lives.

How has Martial Arts helped you? It has increased my confidence about my physical abilities. This confidence changed my attitude of turning the words "I cannot" into "I can."

Name: Eve Rindje

Years in Martial Arts: 2 years

Interests: TaeKwonDo (and most sports), my family and friends, shopping and related activities, movies and music.

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can bring a wide variety of positive aspects to a person’s life. The obvious ones like fitness and strength are just the tip of the iceberg. Martial Arts brings important things like self-esteem and confidence as well.

How has Martial Arts helped you? When I first began Martial Arts, I was a “chunky” kid with low self-esteem. Now, after almost two years, I am in a great physical condition, and more importantly, I have lots of confidence and determination. I thank Martial Arts for giving this to me.

Name: Camille Naylor

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: Golf, tennis, cooking, wine, skiing, boating, biking, dancing, traveling and my 2 cats (love dogs too!)

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can teach patience with others, build self-confidence and self-discipline. Don’t sweat the small stuff—it’s a great workout and a place to meet new friends!

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me set goals and stick to them. Fearing my age would deter me from reaching my goal of black belt, I have found the confidence to say that I can achieve what I believe. It has given me an outlet to express myself and also release all the tensions that surround us in our daily lives.

Name: Herman Lew

Years in Martial Arts: 2 1/2 years

Interests: running, hiking, hockey, skating, baking, shopping, dining out and live shows

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can allow people to balance their life between work, school and family issues. It can affect people’s mentalities in positive ways, such as release anger and decrease stress by giving the mind and body a workout.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Thanks to Martial Arts I am more optimistic; I have learned to believe in achieving goals one step at a time, not only in the sport, but in work, etc. For example, I have received by Certification as a Pharmacy Technician. Also, it has helped me with my coordination that I lacked in. I am also more calm and energetic in my day-to-day activities.

Name: William Ma

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: Science and Engineering

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can instill confidence, excitement and energy in a person’s life. It elevates the mind, spirit and body. It will give you the key to live life to fullest. Once begun, Martial Arts will be with you forever!

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has pushed limits beyond my expectations. It has provided me with a sense of accomplishment and a place where I can find peace and passion. The energy that comes with every ounce of sweat is well worth it.

Name: Chad Jones

Years in Martial Arts: 1 1/2 years

Interests: Cooking, Reading, Sports, Teaching

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives?

• Discipline: the drive to follow something to completion
• Focus: setting goals and plans to achieve them
• Confidence: to achieve what you want in life

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me in numerous ways, the most apparent being confidence and physical fitness. Martial Arts has given me the confidence to achieve my dreams and has helped me to control my weight and increase my flexibility as I get older. The biggest benefit I have realized through Martial Arts is the mind-body connection. Through the practice of meditation and focus I have learned to see my accomplishments before they happen. By doing this, I am able to push my body and myself to levels I would have previously thought were not achievable for me.

Name: Jeremy Parkin

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: strength, flexibility training

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? It can bring purpose by providing a fun way to build strength, knowledge and confidence.

How has Martial Arts helped you? It has helped me to understand myself continually in new ways and on many levels.

Name: Evelyn Corcio

Years in Martial Arts: 2 years

Interests: Reading, Exercise, Dancing

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? I believe that the most important thing Martial Arts can bring to people is confidence—and LOTS of it!

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me in so many ways. It has given me self-confidence, taught me to be patient and most importantly, given me peace. When I am in my class, I forget all about my stressful day and just have fun learning.

Name: Dalvin Narwal

Years in Martial Arts: 7 years

Interests: swimming, music, hiking, rollerblading, traveling and going out!

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts is different from many other sports; not only does it improve your fitness but your discipline and self control as well. Taking part in Martial Arts boosts your self-confidence and leadership abilities. It also helps you become a more sociable person to form a helpful and friendly network.

How has Martial Arts helped you? I have been practicing Martial Arts for 7 years, and I still enjoy taking part in it. Martial Arts has improved my fitness and encouraged me to become more active. Taking part in Martial Arts has improved my focus and taught me to reach my goals and finish what I have started. Over the years I have developed many friends from whom I met at Dragon Temple. Martial Arts has had a large and positive influence on my life and I have learnt much from taking part in it.

Name: Ziad Ramley

Years in Martial Arts: 2 years

Interests: Martial Arts, Drawing, and DDR.

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can teach discipline and help carry a positive attitude towards everything in life.

How has Martial Arts helped you? It has made me more confident in my abilities and made me more disciplined.

Name: Eric Falk

Years in Martial Arts: 5 years

Interests: Reading, Martial Arts, Animation Computers...

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Anything they want to!

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts helped me pick up some wisdom while staying in shape.

Name: Kelvin Ong

Years in Martial Arts: 4 years

Interests: Drums, Basketball, Computers

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts brings a new sense of principle in people's lives and raises the standards of how one lives life.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has taught me taught discipline as well as the will to strive for excellence.

Name: Jessica Lam

Years in Martial Arts: 3 years

Interests: Taekwondo and Reading

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial arts can help people gain confidenc and develop determination. It will also allow you to forget stress during training, by making you focused. Thus, it teaches people to concentrate at one thing at a time.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial arts has given me opportunities to meet with a variety of people and befriended them.

Name: Keith Ong

Years in Martial Arts: 3 1/2 years

Interests: Playing and listening to music, sports

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial arts can bring confidence into anyone's life. It gives you determination. Martial Arts also gives you strength both mentally and physically.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me by giving me strength and determination.

Name: Marion Cairnduff

Years in Martial Arts: 1 1/2 years

Interests: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snow Skiing, Traveling

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial arts can provide a balanced lifestyle that incorporates physical and psychological well-being. It helps an individual challenge their personal limits in everyday life.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me to work harder to get what I want out of life. The idea of 'I can' helps to motivate me in going that extra bit further no matter how busy or tired I am. It has helped me to gain a more active lifestyle and social ability. Not only has it helped me do more for myself but it has helped me do more for my family and friends.

Name: Gordon Richards

Years in Martial Arts: 5 years

Interests: Joints. Right now, I have to figure out how the get the best out of my knees. Last year it was my hips. I'm interested in how a middle aged body develops athletically, and how the mind and nervous system change in response to training.

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? It has to do with going a bit beyond what people will normally try to do. The belt levels provide a simple and immediate reinforcing motivation for a student to continue to make progress. The requirements for lower belts are simple and accessible to everyone. By the time a student gets used to this they're doing some jump kicks, and becoming involved in the dynamics of sparring. For most people this is beyond anything they would otherwise be involved with in their lives. At the senior belt levels, and particularly black belt and higher, students confront the limitations of their bodies, their agility, and their strength. The challenges play out differently for each individual. Its like a puzzle that has a different solution for each student, and in each case, the student has to find the resolve and develop the skill to get past their limitations. If they can do this in Taekwondo, they can do it in all aspects of their life.

How has Martial Arts helped you? I'm doing things now that I never imagined being involved with in my 50's. I've learned how to push my body while listening to it. I was into working out in the gym before, but after doing this work, I am much more agile, and have a better sense of balance than I had before. I am fitter and stronger. Most importantly I have learned to see my limitations as being malleable. I can work with them and shift things and get around problems and eventually perform at a higher level than I imagined possible.

Name: Manpreet Narwal

Years in Martial Arts: 5 years

Interests: Basketball, hockey, football, movies, hanging out with friends

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial arts brings something more then just a physical workout. It gives you a chance to use both your body and mind. It's something anyone and everyone can do. It's something that brings you relaxation, something that takes you away from your busy life, so you can just relax and have a good workout, and most of all have fun.

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial arts has really helped me out. I have a lot of fun with it. It helps me stay active, and it's something I'm always looking forward to. It helped me build more confidence in myself in the sense that nothing was impossible, you just have to work at it. But most of all martial arts is like a getaway, somewhere I can go, something I can do, to get away from the busy life and just relax and have a good workout, in a nice and caring environment.

Name: Lucia Wang

Years in Martial Arts: 1 1/2 years

Interests: Martial Arts, Pilates, Yoga, Conditioning, Dance

What can Martial Arts bring to people’s lives? Martial Arts can bring righteous behavior, positive attitude and a challenging lifestyle

How has Martial Arts helped you? Martial Arts has helped me save energy, control my temper and also allow me to always challenge myself (within physical limits)