Jon Funk Legit???

[Ross]

I used to attend open workouts in the 80's where Jon spared with karate/kung fu students. If I hadn't seen his sifu perform before I probably would never have thought mantis effective. Go to the Traditional Kung Fu Training Center - T.C. Mantis school in Surrey. #116 12465 82nd Ave. Surrey, B.C. Canada V3W 3E8 Looks alot more legit!

R

[Tekarius]

Carnival Shoes,No my friend is still doesn't really know what to do yet.

[carnival shoes]

Without wanting to spark to much debate on the subject of sparring. It is not the be all and end all in Kung Fu. Self Defense? situation assesment, the best way to avoid confrontations, Guarding traders caravans travelling around ancient China. I bet the bandits didn't wear gloves and shin guards.

You state you saw him in the 80's. How good was your ability twenty odd years ago??

[Ross]

The question being asked isn't what my skill was like but rather whether Jon is "legit". Legit means many things. Would it really matter whether I was better or worse than him then or now? I lived in his "neighbourhood" before he became "famous". I really don't want to slag him off but I have seen his instructor sifu Al Cheng and other instructors to compare him with. I think that Tekarius is asking whether I would reccomend Jon as an instructor. I have reasons for my opinion but hey that is all it is...my opinion FWIW.

As mantis 108 said Jon has done many admirable things but if you want to make simple comparisons would you train with the top skilled local mantis guy or go with the guy who was most politically adept? Me I'ld rather learn from the guy who could rip my face off (and hopefully be able to pass that knowledge on to me).

So don't take offense. My post was meant to direct the student to what looked to me to be an excellent mantis kwoon in the area. You probably know plenty of Jon's good points and he is lucky to have a dedicated student to defend his name.

R

[This message was edited by R on 11-08-00 at 05:46 PM.]

[carnival shoes]

I guess your right..Good point

[brucelee2]

I have observed a couple of Mr. Funk's classes. From what I have seen and what I have heard, I would not recommend him. If you email me I could recommend some other teachers in the area.

[Turiyan]

You criticise others for anonyminity but cant spell "praying mantis" right. You type "prey".

Frankly I dont care how long or 'respected' jon funk is in the eyes of clueless caucasians. His video's are a joke.

And as far as converting to wushu. I'd like to know his connections in china. Because I'd like to know where his Quan Shi is.

Secondly, you have to be an AMATURE to compete in the olympics (sp?). If he's setting himself up for wushi in the olympics, its not as a competitor.

Something you may need to check out:
http://www.stack.nl/%7egalactus/remailers/fallacy2.html

Turiyan, Brahmin caste, Ordos clan

The REAL taichi:
http://www.wfdesign.com/tc/
http://www.wustyle.com/108.html

[bamboo_ leaf]

Thanks for the spelling correction.
My point about anonyminity on the net was that

it's to easy to say things here in this medium with out the responsibility of owning your words.

If you can't say something that you wouldn't tell that person directly or wouldn't mind having your teacher know then why post it at all?

As I said it's too easy.

I thought that we as a comity would band together and try and help others along the path, not put people down who've been teaching and spreading the art for many years.

I guess we just have to many of those clueless Caucasians teaching the art after being certified by their respected Asian teachers to teach.

So why don't you find one of those clueless caucasians and tell them that they are clueless and shouldn't be teaching and then come back and post the results.

enjoy life

bamboo leaf

[mantis714mrkmrg]

I cant believe what im reading why are people insulting this person, you cant trash a persons name, or his teaching if you never fought this person in a full contact match, that means like the old days of gung fu, todays artist only go by how flashy is his moves, but i'll take a good street fighter over some of these new modern day wushu acrobatics people. i dont train with nor have ant affiliation with public schools, I was taught in the basement of my teachers house, he was older came over from china he didnt move like some young acrobat, but he new how to use his martial art and thats how we practiced all aplications and fighting, so if you never fought him, you should hold your tongue, because defacing a sifu only shows your own imaturity and lack of respect to someone you dont even know.

[LizMantis]

Well, first of all I have met Jon Funk a few times. He seems like a very nice guy. I have not played hands with him my self but he seen others. What he does is different of what we do in some ways as far as training from what I can tell. Not someone I would want to train with myself just because, ofcouse I like/feel the way my Sifu is training me is just best for me.(just some know one spaz out on me I did not say BETTER big diff. anyways) But he if your friend wanted to check him out I would say go for it he might be just what your friend is looking for.

www.kungfuexchange.com

[mantis714mrkmrg]

lizmantis that is a good point if you like where you are and a comfertible whos teaching you, then stay and pick there brain, as for funk and other teachers who are putting there forms on tape, I think its great, you can buy a tape of a form you dont know nor have, I wish more teachers would do this there are so many mantis forms out there, wouldnt it be nice to be able to learn them, nothing beats a real teacher but when your teacher retires, or you live somewhere where there isnt no schools, you might want to use these videos just to keep your intrest i wish the monks would do a series on the mantis and other animal forms for us to enjoy, because I know i'll never get the chance to train with one.

[mantis714mrkmrg]

lizmantis that is a good point if you like where you are and a comfertible whos teaching you, then stay and pick there brain, as for funk and other teachers who are putting there forms on tape, I think its great, you can buy a tape of a form you dont know nor have, I wish more teachers would do this there are so many mantis forms out there, wouldnt it be nice to be able to learn them, nothing beats a real teacher but when your teacher retires, or you live somewhere where there isnt no schools, you might want to use these videos just to keep your intrest i wish the monks would do a series on the mantis and other animal forms for us to enjoy, because I know i'll never get the chance to train with one.

[mantis714mrkmrg]

lizmantis that is a good point if you like where you are and a comfertible whos teaching you, then stay and pick there brain, as for funk and other teachers who are putting there forms on tape, I think its great, you can buy a tape of a form you dont know nor have, I wish more teachers would do this there are so many mantis forms out there, wouldnt it be nice to be able to learn them, nothing beats a real teacher but when your teacher retires, or you live somewhere where there isnt no schools, you might want to use these videos just to keep your intrest i wish the monks would do a series on the mantis and other animal forms for us to enjoy, because I know i'll never get the chance to train with one. :)

[LizMantis]

I think it would be cool to be able to get all the forms tape to. But there is one slight problam with that. One learning something for a tape is ofcourse harder. Two I dont know if everyone does this but. I know Lily Lau on all of her tapes where she teaches a form she leaves a part out. That way no one can say "yeh I trained under Lily Lau". Then someone can see the form and be like oh yeh thats from tape 27. Also get "every" Mantis Form on Tape would be hard cause alot of people dont want so and so to have a form, (~so and so being someone they have not trained~)

www.kungfuexchange.com

[Inquisitor]

As LizMantis pointed out, no master is willing to put the sum of his/her knowledge in a book, video, or other form of media. Just look at what is put out by masters such as Chan Pui, Lily Lau, Tat Mau Wong, Paul Eng, etc. They most definetly do not put everything that they know into their books/vidoes; and it is safe to assume that sometimes they even change the basic information contained therein in order to ensure that only their actual students know the "real" stuff.
However, it is also safe to assume that they would not put out something with their names on it that would not be indicative of their level of skill. From what I have seen of Jon Funk, he seems to be a nice guy who, IMHO, does not give enough bang for the buck, as they say. I have met a former student of his who has told me as much, and have met a few others online (who used to be his students and are learning under other people) who also agree with those sentiments (although I cannot really vouch for their authenticity, as reality isn't as absolute as one might hope on the internet, heh). But let's be clear on one thing - he is a legitimate lineage master. Whether or not he is better/worse than the others out there is, on the other hand, objective