2007 Restructuring
Happy New Year everyone, We would just like to take a brief moment to inform you personally of the direction that we are heading in for the New Year. After approximately a year and a half we have come to the realization that our 2 studios operating with an ethical business approach, genuine concern and positive treatment to its student body cannot undo the damage that the 16 former “Temple Kung Fu” Studios created over the last decade. Simply put the “Temple Kung Fu” name has been damaged to an unrecoverable state. Has the Internet had an effect on this process…of course, without question. More so, it is the common word of mouth that is the factor that is truly the one to credit. It is far too daunting a task for us to optimistically keep trying to drive forward in an attempt to promote a constructive opportunity to all the various people that were formerly mistreated under the TKF name. It is sadly an impossible endeavor to rebuild the TKF name in the eyes of the general public and to attempt to reach everyone’s brothers, sisters, cousins, co-workers, friends, uncles, parents etc. etc. of those former students who were told about numerous experiences. Frankly, we are sick of being held accountable for conduct of those that previously operated under the TKF name and did so poorly. We only wish to be held accountable for our own actions, dealings, and conduct. As a group of Senior Members we have unanimously agreed to transition the training of the Moh Pai and Pai Hu Shih systems in Edmonton and Calgary towards a non-for-profit statue as of January 1st, 2007. We will be forming a Federation that will move productively in a new direction and currently other cities are also directing themselves towards this similar focus. Grandmaster Simon is retired and into his golden years, so the directive is put on to us for the future and we feel that this will be the best resolution for the system. Also our apologies about the late public reply to this restructuring, but web site forums responses have not been very high on the “to do list”. Originally we started our TKF locations to productively work with students past and present, and this new restructuring for 2007 will allow us to maintain that primary objective in a much more viable way. Not only for them but also to ourselves. Now in the past we have stated that each location is independently owned and operated and the conduct of a location is mandated by the individual(s) that owns it. Previously, the cowardly manner that some owners chose was to abandon their staff and fleece students for as much cash as they could and then shut down. Since actions speaks louder than words…we would like to state that any of our students that had a pre-paid program (which was minimal, as that was not how we operated) were given the consideration of choosing from one of two options… #1 a full refund for any balance of their training program that was owed to them. #2 to transfer their program and training to our new structure. In both Calgary and Edmonton, we did not have to write one single cheque as every one of our members has chosen to stay training with us. That in its self speaks volumes to the manner of how we have treated each and everyone of our members! Additionally, some of you have also been quite assertive in your uninformed and ignorant opinions regarding some of our past actions. These certain individuals have not even had the consideration or personal fortitude to contact us for our side. Said individuals decided to only go on hearsay, conjecture and assumptions. So let us also provide you with some actual information…as of December 8th, 2006 the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta awarded a summery judgment to the defendants Mike Parnell, Geof Crossman, and DJ Swanstrom against the plaintiff TEMCAL Studios Ltd and TEMED Ltd (the former TKF operating companies in Calgary and Edmonton) for the litigation that they initiated and awarded us compensation for our costs in this action. If you are in doubt of this fact you can reference Action No 0501-03009 through the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta. You don’t like “Temple Kung Fu” fine, its “structure” is no more. As a reminder we will not be tolerating personal attacks or slander towards ourselves any longer and you can infer as to what our response will be…we just want to only be left alone to train the Moh Pai and Pai Hu Shih systems which we enjoy and believe to be a terrific style We sincerely appreciate the knowledge and training that Grandmaster Olaf Simon has provided us and we respect and regard him as the founder of our system and style. Our future goal will be to have fun in training with ourselves and instructing others in this wonderful art and we will only be charging what is necessary to cover our operating costs. We also would like to help where we can with charities and community based programs and provide a forum where others can hopefully acquire some of the benefits of training that we have so enjoyed over the years. Now…to make it very easy for everyone and anyone to get a hold of us and so that no one can make the claim that we are by any measure running and hiding…please let us provide you a new number for our Organization. The new contact number that we can be reached at is 780-922-0052 and it will be addressed by DJ Swanstrom. In closing, thank you for you time and good luck to everyone in their training where ever it may take you. All the best for 2007 Respectfully, DJ Swanstrom & Geof Crossman

Additionally
Just on an aside and more specific to this forum as the above letter we posted was more directed to the other crap Network 54 site forum… I’d like to personally thank many of you for your support. The Moh Pai and Pai Hu Shih systems are far from dead. In fact I think they are going in an exciting new direction. Over the last few years I’ve always said that we are on a new page or chapter to the book, but now I say we’re working on a new volume. Personally all of us have other companies and obligations, so this new restructuring will really, really allow some of us to have a lot more free time while still keeping the main reason as to why we started locations in the first place…health, fun, friendship, helping others, and promoting the art. Both Calgary and Edmonton have already begun training in our new locations with terrific turn out’s. We train, learn, sweat, laugh and then all (Moh Pai & PHS) go out and split a pizza, coffee, or jug of beer. (Yes for some of you ex-instructors I did say “beer”!) In regards to training both systems at once, what you may not realize is that the Moh Pai is the foundation of the Pai Hu Shih. If trained properly there is a ton of stuff in the Moh Pai style that we’re teaching that draws to the PHS directly. This is so that an individual can transition easily to the White Tiger Style after they have some of the needed aspect such as timing, conditioning, balance, concepts etc .etc .etc. The problem was in the past there was a great deal of fear mongering from knowledge misers that someone may “learn” or “discover” something that they shouldn’t…WHY????...I don’t know either. There are natural bridges that must be in place so that people can enjoy both styles when they are at the point in their training that they can do so without feeling overwhelmed by training. To learn grade 12 math when still working on grade 8 math is pointless…so to speak. In the past I have seen numerous people quit for just that reason - Natural Progression, we get you on the path let you explore and personally develop while making sure you don’t stumble off in some direction into the woods. To argue against this just conveys that a person doesn’t know what they are talking about, in my opinion. After all isn’t this why all education from elementary to university to trade schools to scuba diving to rock climbing to knitting…to whatever…is progressive! Regarding North comments (on the TKF Website Thread) about Rising Sun Martial Arts Supply and suing them. I have personally been in the store a few times over the last year and usually end up talking with Mike for almost an hour. We always have an enjoyable and respectful conversation from my point of view. He’s been right on the past, it was dreadful - no doubt. I share that view. In fact I have and still do send many people to his shop for supplies that we didn’t carry, and since we’re out of mat shoes now…I’ve recommended a lot more to him. Thanks for the feedback though. As in the past I won’t be spending a lot of time on here, it just isn’t conducive to my schedule and since moving out to the country a few months ago, I’m still in a creative battle to get something other than dial up installed at my place. However, (as in the past again) I have all the time for anyone that would like to give me a call if they so desire. Once again everyone thanks and have a safe and wonderful 2007! DJ

Hi, xstudent, I don't think that www.templearts-inc.com has anything to do with the Simons, TKF, or even Kung Fu. It appears to be some sort of belly dancing and yoga place in Florida, although the name/logo and especially the font on the name do look similar. Master Sparrow owned and operated the Winnipeg and Ontario studios, not all of the Canadian ones. They went out of buisiness in spring 2006. US schools have broken away from TKF at about the same time, and the last two TKF studios in Alberta have closed their doors in December 2006, although without running out on student contracts. There is no more Temple Kung Fu, but there are a number of training groups organized in different cities by various individuals. I believe there was an attempt by some instructors to open a studio in Oakville; you can try contacting them. You can find their info here: http://socialtech.ca/ade/index.php/temple-kung-fu-ontario-closes I doubt you'll be able to pursue anyone legally, as the company that I believe is responsible for your contract went bankrupt a year ago. If it is of any consolation, you are not alone in your predicament, and some people have lost even more money. Good luck in finding a new place to train; don't let this experience to sour your taste for martial arts in general or this style in particular. The style is very effective when taught and trained properly, unfortunately the business side of things was not quite as good as it should have been.