Feelings on TKF
I joind TKF in Edmonton south side in the early 90's. Due to work/travel/University etc I had faded out by the late 90's. I have just started looking into getting back into martial arts and started googling some stuff. I was completely unaware of the 'issues' that have developed since then but am not entirely surprised by what has happened. The internet, ex students/instructors, and a lot of industry 'flaming' caught up with GMS-TKF. Firstly I note that a lot of the bad internet postings on other chat boards and posting areas seem to becoming from only a few complaintants so I feel that the net, as usual, is not the most relaible source of balanced info. Some multiple postings also seem to becomeing from 1 individual under various names. I suggest some of you have hurt feelings and we are all responsible for our own feelings and behavior. If you are mad and hurt thats your 'decision'. I put a fair amount of $$ into TKF but feel I got a pretty good bang for my buck and all was fair. I took GMS with a grain of salt and didn't always agree with his social & political opinions that came through in his writings and lessons, but then again I feel that way towards most people. Perhaps that insulated me from seeing him as all that he claimed to be. I chalked up some of his homophobic and socially conservative views to his generation, my grandfather aint much different! lol. I never felt pressured to buy books or supplies. I thought sales styles were very appropriate when I was there; however towards the end of my stay, before I faded out, I did note a serious decrease in the quality of instructors. Perhaps the slope was turning downward and I just missed the big melt 'down'. It is normal for all businesses to have problems. TKF is not immune. As for his 'stories' and history.... well all I can say is I've heard some pretty tall tales from old soldiers and GMS is no exception. Like I said I took him with a grain of salt and figured most of his title and history was mostly 'soldiers stories' and ego. We are all the same, perhaps some of you just thought too highly of GMS. I can tell you I very effectively defended my self several times with the skills taught in TKF and have no beef with the 'style' There are a lot of 'stlye' junkies out there that can't let it go but hey, thats the Arts, always has been always will be; 'My dad can beat up your dad' kind of thing. I really enjoyed my time with TKF, especially with Mr's Stowkowsky, Demetrius, and many others. I did bump into ex junior instructors here and there when I was still at TKF and they told me their big problem was 'the money'. No surprise there, thats life in sales when you make low wages. I really enjoyed the private lessons, on time all the time, very efficient and effective. Group classes were a great work out! some of the toughest I ever had, and I've had some tough ones! I'm sorry that their is so much bad blood out there now, GMS is no doubt getting flak for some of the BS spun or belived by his poorer quality instructors, and I feel there is a lot of over reactions due to the emotional nature of the situation. GMS is also 'only human' and his goals although perhaps a little selfish and disingenuinous are no different than anything else exhibited by humanity. Perhaps some of you put him up on too high of a pedestal. Thats your doing, not his. I hope you all find the compassion to forgive and forget, move on, and learn from this. As for where I go now, I'm thinking UofA Kung Fu Club...... looks pretty casual, is close by to me, and has been around a long time. I'm not a 'style' fanatic, what I train doesn't define me as a human so it's a rather insignifant point (within reason)..... it's all just fighting anyway, not something I do every day, or do to feel good about myself. if I ever have a real life and death situation my '10km in 32 min' will be my saviour, not the symantics of my style. lol

Hello, jimmy, it's nice to see another fellow Edmontonian here, especially someone who is also not far from the U of A (not that there is anything wrong with being from somewhere else!) :) Good post. That's mostly the way I look at it too. We are the ones largely responsible for our own experience. We can choose to focus on the positive and create more of it, or we can focus on the negative and complain. Have people been wronged? Yes, some more so than others, that can't be denied. There have certainly been flaws in the way TKF was at times run, but for all the mistakes, it is impossible to deny all the good that came out of the studios over the decades. All the people who got their training or introduction to and passion for martial arts through TKF/SKS and its former students and teachers. All the people who have used the art to defend or even save their life and the lives of others. All the people who have grown and matured through their training -- physically, mentally/emotionally, and spiritually. The camaraderie and spirit in the halls. All the friendships and even life partnerships that were formed, and some children that probably would not have even been born were it not for the existence of the studios. This list can go on, and I believe it would be hard to find anyone who did not experience or gain something positive from their time with TKF/SKS. The Simons have retired from martial arts a while back, and as of this year TKF is no longer in business. However, members from many cites where TKF operated have organized to keep training together, teach, and promote the style. I think it says something about the good that came out of the studios. It's worth keeping and fighting for. If you'd like to get in touch with the Edmonton group, whether for training or just to reconnect and catch up, let me know. We are currently operating on a non-profit basis renting space twice a week at the Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. There are still quite a few people around from the 90's, and most classes are led by Mr. Swanstrom, Mr. Demetrius, and Master Bazinet. Train long & prosper! :wink:

Hey 92, thanks for following me up with some positivity! I was totally flinching to get flamed and disected. You now how it is on line when others put more thought into your words than you do! I'm a computer dummy so not really able to figure out how to contact you privately through this board. If you know how get a hold of me privately to exchange e mails. I'd love to have a coffee or a tea or a beer with some old faces and even if the faces aint to familiar the experience was.

Hey, jimmy, I have received your PM and replied by email. I think most flamers got chased off this forum a while back and don't post much anymore. I guess it's just too positive for them, makes them flinch! :wink:

We try... :)

Negativity does not prmote the healt of a persons mind We can learn from our mistakes and move on... Or we can ignore ourmistakes and pretend they do not exist... Or we can blame everyone else for our mistakes and become bitter at the world. If it wasn't for Simon Kung Fu I would not be where I am today.

Amen to that. Every person, every moment, event, and experience we've ever drawn into our life defines who we are right now. What we choose to do with that is up to us, and without all those things and what we've learned (or haven't learned) from them, we would not be where we are today.