Fracturing of studios
Hi, I am a first time poster here. I have been training at TKF for some time, and I am a member of PHS. Recently( last year) Things have been going crazy at my local studio's( seattle). Master Jones has broken away from the TKF group for disputes between head office and the local studio's( mostly financial from my information). Now to top it off another section of our students are breaking away(PHS) to reunite with grand master and the TKF system. I understand both sides from what I've seen( although I side with Master Jones more) and feel it is too bad they can't come to an agreement. Because in the end it is the students who will suffer from this. Training freinds I have had, will no longer be around. To me the training has never just been just about the skill of fighting, but about the people, pushing yourself, bettering yourself, and helping others to do the same. I think some of the changes we have gone through have been good ones. Anyone in business knows you have to reinvent yourself in order to keep suceeding, and I believe that is what Master Jones plan is/was. I do not fault him for that. I keep finding myself asking the same questions. Why don't masters stick it out with head office/grand master? It seems like they all get to a point 10-15 years with TKF and then they all leave( full time masters that are instructors, not student master's) Over and Over. A big cycle, almost as bad as the revolving door of instructors which is another source of TKF's problems. After so many times with the same thing happenning you have to ask yourself is it the masters or the system? I was told when Master Piercey left that he betrayed GMS, then the same thing about Master Weber, And I'm sure the same thing is said about Master's Jones and Sparrow. Did these guys betray GMS or were they the ones who were betrayed? I'm sure it all comes down to $ reasons. Which I can not agree with. What about the students??? Is it all just about the money? I understand it is a business and it has to be somewhat about the money, but it shouldn't be all about the money. If they would just change their focus and make it about the students I bet they would have unlimited success. Why the endless fracturing of studios, masters, students, instructors!! What a mess!!! Pai Mei

Hello Pai Mei, Welcome to the forum. And in a larger sense, welcome to the club. There are a lot of students of Moh/TKF/SKS who feel the same as you. What a mess, indeed. Feel free to look around and if there is anything you need, ask away. Regards, MrE2Me2

Hello Pai Mei Great to have you on board. I look forward to hearing more of the Seattle perspective in the future. I'm a student in Edmonton, not instructor or owner. Let me start by letting you know that Master Jones was/is not maligned in our studio. We were informed that his decided to go his own path and that did not include the TFK organization. I know we were all disappointed to lose him but we wish him well. I really liked Master Jones and next time I'm in Seattle I plan to look him up. Seems you and I were told differnt stories about Master Piercy and Master Webber. Peircy I was only told decided to leave and no reason was given and that it broke GMS heart when he left. I heard some rumours laters that were all over the map but I know better than to put much stock in those. Webber I was told (by Masters Jones and Sparrow) that he had run so far into debt that he had become insolvent. Jones and Sparrow said they tried to help him and I take them at their word. They complained that he was not accepting and turned his back on his problems until they (his debts) forced him into bankrupcy. And of course the rest is history. There was no betrayal really, I'm not sure why Jones would have relayed to you that way. If you didn't hear it from Jones direct I may suspect it was some of that gossip that always circulates after something like this. I'm sorry to hear your PHS ranks are fragmenting. We had the same political tug of war here. Well actually it happened more in Calgary where some of the PHS decided they would train with KFFL in Calgary. Some good friends decided to train there. Well this kind of politics will always happen best to put your best foot forward and continue training hard wherever you decide to hang your towel. So how are things going down there now? I'd be interested to hear how things are going there. How training has changed under the new direction. Take care. May see you sometime when I'm in Seattle. My brother lives there.

No the word I got was not directly from Master Jones. Probably more of a rumor, but it seems that was what was going around each time. As far as how the seattle studio's are doing, I would say well. The classes really haven't changed much, if anything they have gotten better. People are getting better attention and it seems to me that people who have been here a long time, are progressing more than previously. The PHS fracturing really bums me out, Master Abbosein is starting a non profit temple kung fu group. Though I believe most will stay with Master Jones and the new academy. Anyone who knows Master Jones knows he is a phenomenal martial artist. Not saying that Master Abbosein is not, but being a part time Master you just can't get the same skill as a Master who has taught full time for the last 20 years. I'm going to stay with the new schools. Master Jones has always been the one teaching, and running the schools down here so I don't see any reason to change. Grandmaster never has taught much since I have been around and is retired anyway. I just want to train. But as said will miss my freinds who decide to break away. Pai Mei