temple Kung Fu is t3h d34dly ripoff

**kracker** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 9:53am

Man I'm fucking pissed for what those assholes did to my cousin, ok here's the story.

My cousin was a paid professional assistant instructor at a "Temple Kung Fu" dojo in Edmonton. To be honest I have no idea as to what exactly TKF is (as my cousin only described it as "a unification of combat and health") but a rational guess would be that involves a liberal amount of LARPING. N e ways One day after over 2 years of faithful service as assistant instructor (and over 5 years as a student) they just out of nowhere STOP PAYING HIM!!!! This was my cousin's only job and he has a wife and 1 and a half year old kid!! When he asked the school why the **** he wasnt getting payed anymore they said "Oh I'm sorry we cant afford to pay you anymore but we still need you to teach or the school will go down." I SWEAR this is what he told me they actually said!! My cousin left and got a real job but I think there is grounds for a lawsuit here seriously. When I suggested it to him he refused and said and I quote "I have no hard feelings they couldn't afford to keep me and I couldn't afford to stay there so we went seperate ways, that is all."

**Bang!** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 10:04am

Temple Kung Fu has a history of fucking with its instructors.

They tend to arrive as disenfranchised young men and latch on to what they perceive to be something special and honourable. While these guys are still sincere and full of enthusiasm, they ride that current to get new students who see that same sincerity. As time goes on, instructors are exploited in a number of ways. Most see what's going on and leave in time (which accounts for the high turnover). Those who don't tow company line have things get very complicated for them. Those who understand what's going on and choose to stay merely become jaded pricks.

Kracker, please have your brother PM me. I have some questions for him.

**total noob** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 10:24am

Many years ago we had a TKF junior instructor (BB or Blk Sash whatever) come into a dojo I used to attend (He was on his pilgrimage to see what other styles were like.), he asked if he could attend a class and the teacher says sure jump right in.

The funny comes when he opens his gym bag, inside was one of every color belt you could find and he asks our instructor what color belt should he wear? The instructor laughs and says whatever belt he can defend.

The guy ends up putting on either a blue or purple belt (mid ranking for our school at the time) and joins in. Long story short, his special TKF twisty movements and stances left him open to even the mildly skilled white belt. He had a terrible time trying to adapt to basic movements like stepping into a forward stance with an overhead block. It was definitely an eye opener on TKF.

T N

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 11:33am

I am not defending anything Temple Kung Fu may or may not be. However, in and of itself, I can't say that given a choice of a pay cut or getting laid off/fired/quitting would be valid grounds for a lawsuit, IMO.

So, I agree with your cousin. And, I suspect you are just a cranky guy who hates everything.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 11:41am

Originally Posted by kracker

When I suggested it to him he refused and said and I quote "I have no hard feelings they couldn't afford to keep me and I couldn't afford to stay there so we went seperate ways, that is all."

Yes, it is a shitty thing to do.

A lawsuit would be silly IMO.
For example, Delta Airlines laid off people with up to 5 years in the company when they first went into bankruptcy.

It pretty much went like this, badges below this specific number are laid off.

Same thing happened when I worked for the TSA. We all came in on a Friday and they started escorting people out with no notice.

**isol8d** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 2:13pm

Originally Posted by kracker

over 2 years of faithful service as assistant instructor

http://www.newtemplekungfu.com/

so, did your cousin teach kungrobics there? If so, they did him a favor by forcing him into a real job.....

although, they can't be all too bad :

**GuySmiley** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 2:14pm

Ahhh, the original reason I discovered this website...Temple Kung Fu.
In my impetuous youth I yearned for knowledge of the ancients...my quest for truth in the world of MA led to... the largest add in the Yellow Pages, Temple Kung Fu.

So began my TKF Journey through....a complete money-hungry, poorly taught, over-priced, total and complete McDojo in every way, shape and form.

Seriously, O.E. Simon- the Grandmaster (and BTW self-proclaimed head of the Neo-Chan something-or-other religion) is a living Legend to the ,IMO brain-washed Instructors who choose to stay.

People get to the next belt-level regardless of skill level. You pay one fee, then join the Kung Fu Club and pay a fee on top of that. Then get invited to the Sparring Club, which also has its own fee (point-sparring BTW), and if you get far enough, you get the invite to the Elite Club(can't remember the name). KFC uniform is Green, Sparring club uniform is blue, Elite Club uniform is Red-you gotta pay for all of 'em.

They choose instructors whenever they see a candidate meaning...a guy/gal that's been there for 3-4months could be giving classes to someone who's been ther 3-4years...its a farce man...seriously...your cousin is lucky he's out of there.

I knew some instructors...they were rediculously underpaid and overworked, all for the good of the Temple. And get this, there really is a "Temple" O.E. Simon has built an actual Temple on the "Temple Lands," I think in BC, Canada.

I thought it was odd, early on, but got a good cardio workout, and in all honesty, did learn basic CMA...but IMO its Kempo, no Kung Fu. Anyways, I kept basic membership and paid the Kung Fu Club fees and hit brown belt...and that was the last straw. You'd think one would be happy to get that level, but the more you stay there, the more you realize what a joke it is. There are seriously out-of-shape BBs, that have sooo much attitude.

Anything learned above your belt level is kept "secret" from you until you advance. Instructors were impressed when I would do an "advanced" block in class or sparring. Advanced my ass...God, my blood boils when I think of the money I gave that organization.

Oh well, live and learn. I'm at a MT place now...and I'm luvin' it! Probably not the best school, but I dig it so that's good enough for me. Good people, no politics that I've noticed. And my GOD, how do places that point spar even stay open? They have hilarious ground work.

Don't be too mad at your cousin...they brain-wash the faithful servants...I mean instructors. Just be happy he's got another job. I can pretty much gaurantee you that he's making more at his new job.

TKF has been on its way out for a few years...schools are shutting down in areas that had large attendences.

Way too much venting here. Oh yeah, a lawsuit probably wouldn't work, I may be way off, but I think there's actually a clause in the inst. contract that covers TKF in this situation.

I was one of the shining stars that got invited to join the instructor ranks...I turned 'em down.

Have a nice day.
GuySmiley

**Tonuzaba** · Posted On: 12/28/2006 2:21pm

isol8d,
just wondering: if I'd join, would I get to train sticky hands with the lady to the right?
(first thing coming to my mind when looking at the picture...)
Tonuzaba