To turn this conversation to something more constructive and dare I say realistic. To those that have looked through the site, what would you change/improve etc? How do you find the navigation, the documents. Keep in mind that yes, this is the first rough pass. But you guys can likely provide some valuable feedback on area's of improvement. I see they have a spot for video's I'm curious to see what they add there. Personally I think they did a great job for a first shot. I thing

I'll bite at that... A little clarity on the Fu Yen thing would be a good start. :wink: I know it's the same old arguement, but you asked... On a different note, I do look forward to seeing stuff in the "Videos" section :D The site is nicely done, from a layout point of view it is definately better than my hack job.

Its a replacement for the old one. It is strongly focused on the current masters which the one before the last one tried. i think they decided the Master turnover was too high to make pages showing them much. I am betting Grasshopper got a chuckle out of seeing the red and navy area-supervisor uniforms. How many of those do you have in your closet GH? I found there was a lack of clarity in the 5 animals section. From the standpoint of someone who knows nothing about Kung Fu it is fine but for those who have studied they are going to want to know how this is trained. Hung Gar 5 animal forms? I have a feeling that TKF is using techniques inspired by the animals in application but likely VERY different from a Hung Gar school. I can see this leading to problems down the road. Dragon in perticular I would have issues with as it is important to understand it as it is taught in traditional Kung Fu schools. TKF comes across as a school removed from the rest of the Kung Fu world trying to reinvent everything based off of their current model. I hope they add some forms and techniques from other styles or schools for the well being of their students. Most MA schools have a teacher that travels and learns constantly from others. TKF seems to only have that within the closed doors of TKF. This prevents outside knowledge from tainting/evolving the style. In this case I don't think tainting would be a worry. Someone saying "Jeez this yang Tai Chi is sure soft, I think I'll throw some Karate techniques into the form!" would be an example of tainting. Those are just my thoughts on it.

Hello North, You posted, “I am betting Grasshopper got a chuckle out of seeing the red and navy area-supervisor uniforms. How many of those do you have in your closet GH?” Thank you for the info on the uniforms. I had a bunch in my closet when I left, as well. You posted, “I hope they add some forms and techniques from other styles or schools for the well being of their students.” Obviously, I cannot comment on what TKF does today or down the road. But I am able to speculate that changes are likely to occur. When I first left Edmonton and came to Vancouver, they had just broken away. Even then, Mr. MacLaren, who was the manager, was making changes. Later, when Wayne, who had been the chief instructor in Calgary; took charge, he too made changes. He went out and found other kung fu styles to study. And when I left, I too, changed, albeit, in different ways. I took what I had and made it my own. From what I have read, so did Mr. Leishman. And from what I have seen, so did Master Ed Bruneau (Sifu Shawn’s teacher). Once each of us was free of certain political influences, we all changed and grew. Or we left; sometimes both. You posted, “TKF seems to only have that within the closed doors of TKF. This prevents outside knowledge from tainting/evolving the style. ” It is my opinion that Mo will change and grow (possibly in spite of itself). You talk of the five animals in the Mo system. You know, I gotta tell you, so do we, back in the day. But that is all we did, talk about them. :-D It would seem that more than talk is done these days at TKF. Regards, MrE2Me2 Without prejudice E&OE

:lol:

RD

RD, There is a large difference between critiquing someone’s move and criticizing it. For example; To make a critique might be this: When I go to the temple website, I also browsed there. On the “Charity Demonstration” page there is someone executing a side kick catch. Looks like a solid kick and the catch is what I would use today. But, the catch is not how I was taught to perform it. There are certain differences in where this catcher places his hands. They’re where mine would be today when I use it but it isn’t how I was taught. To make a criticism might be this: I don’t like the aggressive tone of certain posts here and I wish others would just stifle!!! (No, I’m not serious…I’m trying to make a point between disapproving and analysis.) I made the original assessment of Mr. Swanstrom’s kick and Mr. Crossman.s block. As I have, now repeatedly, stated, it was just that, an assessment. Regards, MrE2Me2 Without prejudice E&OE

RD

:lol:

Obviously, I cannot comment on what TKF does today or down the road. But I am able to speculate that changes are likely to occur........ And from what I have seen, so did Master Ed Bruneau (Sifu Shawn’s teacher). exactly. I see no problems with change.. Ancient chinese proverb : THE ONLY THING CONSTANT IS CHANGE In order for a system to flourish it will change with each person who trains it. A poor system is one wherein the instructor has to force the technique on the physique of a person regardless of wether or not the practitioner benefits from it - GM Simon / Law of the fist/ Page 105 Once you understand an art I beleive you will express it in a natural way. If you copy your teacher ver batim, there is a good chance you are running off of a photographic memory, not doing anything based on an understanding of your art. I know that there is an entire world of martial arts out there to learn. And never in one lifetime will I even scratch the surface of that knowledge. There is no one system that can not learn something from another system. As an instructor I beleive that I have more knowledge than a lot of my students. However I learn from my students. So if I am receptive to the fact that I can learn from from students, imagine what another instructor could teach me. Imagine what I could learn from another art. I feel very sorry for anyone who feels that there system has it all, and that they have no need to look else where. for anything . And if you are a student ( which I will always be) and your teachers have you convinced you need look no further, I would be leary. sifu shawn

RD

Wow, maybe you should switch to de-caf RD Anway, my Sifu is the best :wink:

Hello RD, A couple of real life experiences here, from me to you. Today: My mother had a heart attack earlier this week. She collapsed on the kitchen floor. They rushed her into emergency and she spent several days in I.C.U. She is out now and on the mend and I can tell you I am a relieved fellow. But for several days there, I was a very unhappy camper. A long time ago: When I ran my studio professionally, I had a student join who we’ll call “Bruce”. Bruce had also had his mother go through something similar to what mine just did. Except that she didn’t make it and Bruce was struggling through the grieving process. We all knew he was a handful and we were all careful whenever we trained with him. Sparring was especially challenging as he would blank out and charge at us. Twice we sent him to the hospital for stitches when he turned ordinary matches ugly. He wasn’t mean, just troubled and we all knew it. Finally, he went to a company picnic where he ran into someone as angry as he was. They exchanged words and suddenly Bruce “knew” that this guy was going to attack. Bruce tried to back up verbally and put this issue away nonviolently. But the fellow was having none of it (having worked himself into a fine lather). The guy attacked and Bruce had a choice, hit or be hit. So he decked the guy with a roundhouse kick to the head. (Much like the one debated here I would imagine). When he told me what happened, I asked him, “How do you feel about that?” He said he felt quite bad at having allowed the situation to escalate to that point. But he also grew and changed from that moment. He calmed down and if I was still in business, he’d still be training (I’m certain). The reason I’ve shared these events with you: In my opinion, Pai mei wasn’t being disrespectful (he said as much). You have escalated a light hearted comment by him into a company picnic brawl. Rather than get into the exact, ‘who said what to whom”, I’d rather you lightened up. Who am I to ask? I am certainly not Pai mei’s protector (nor does he need one). I am a moderator at this forum. More relevant here, I started this by posting a “constructive criticism”. Regards, MrE2Me2

RD

Starting to look like the old troll site here.