Circling Dragons Martial Arts is an internal martial arts school based near Lake George, Colorado, led by Sensei Emary. The school focuses on internal systems and traditional martial arts, blending Chinese internal arts with Japanese Aikido and Southeast Asian weapons work.
What We Teach
Classes cover a range of disciplines, each with its own curriculum and progression path. Students may train in one or more of the following areas:
- Internal Arts — Tai Chi, Bagua, Xingyi, Qigong, and push hands
- Tomiki Aikido — A practical, structured approach to Aikido with an emphasis on fundamentals, paired practice, and sword work
- Conditioning — Sinawali Stick Fighting — A conditioning program built around Filipino stick fighting, with certification
Training Schedule
Classes vary based on the curriculum and are usually one hour long.
- Tuesday nights — Conditioning. Classes start between 6:00–6:30 PM and run for one hour.
- Thursday nights — Tomiki Aikido. Classes start between 6:00–6:30 PM and run for one hour.
- Saturday mornings — Internal arts from 10:00–11:00 AM, followed by stick fighting conditioning from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Tuition
Class sizes are kept very small, making every session essentially a semi-private lesson. Tuition starts at $100 per month and increases depending on how many classes you attend. Payment is due one month in advance and is accepted via cash or Apple Pay.
Equipment purchases — sticks, gloves, safety gear, etc. — are in addition to tuition and depend on the curriculum you are training in.
Ranking and Progression
Circling Dragons uses a unified kyū/dan ranking system across all disciplines. The belt progression follows a familiar path — white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black — but the content at each level is specific to the art being studied. Students are provided with curriculum materials as they progress.
Culture and Expectations
Training at Circling Dragons is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and personal responsibility. Students are expected to come prepared, train safely, and communicate openly with their instructor. The goal is to foster an environment where people can train contact-based martial arts while maintaining respect for one another.