Tai Mantis fake Sifu

[Hieu Nguyen]

I have heard that there was an individual who was trying to claim that he learned Tai Mantis from Kam Yuen, now let me say this I know Kam Yuen personally and I also have spoken with him and his most advanced students, and they all agree that Mike Marshall is in no way qualified to teach Tai Mantis, they also go on to say that Mike Marshall couldn't hold his own against the most beginning student in any Kung Fu art,or a person with any martial art background. He has excellent form but his talent goes no further.
If you would research you would find out that Mike Marshall was kicked out of the Tai Mantis association because he brought shame to himself and the art. In general he basically paid for his sifu credential which Kam Yuen has staed he regrets to this day. Kam Yuen disciples are real fighters and in his hey day it was said that if you got in a real fight and for some reason lost you'd be kicked out of class. There are very few qualified to teach tai mantis but if you're fortunate to find an authentic tai mantis instructor, I need not say anymore... :cool:

[EARTH DRAGON]

Question why would anyone claim to be something that they are not? I had a student who I taught privately for 1 year! 2 years later I come to find out she opened a school near by, when I heard that she claimed to teach 8 step praying mantis I called to ask who she learned from. She made up a name and then went on to say most of her training was in 7 star! which she knows nothing about! worst off she has a lot of students who dont know any better! their should be some sorta state requirement or law against such things.M.A.A.U.T martial artists against unqualified teachers!!!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Hieu Nguyen]

This is so true, not to say anything bad about Mike Marshall he is a nice person. But unfortunately he doesn't know the first thing about combat mantis.
I can recall a situation when Mike was trying to teach a class and a new prospective student came in to see what mantis was all about and mike tried to show the prospective student a mantis move and Mike was put to the ground.
Maybe if he had put more time into sparring, bag training, I can remember that he spent all his time on form training, even though Sifu Kam gave him every opportunity to learn to fight well, to sum this up Mike is a disgrace to the enire martial art community.

[This message was edited by socalimantis on 06-24-01 at 09:19 PM.]

[Papieboni]

This is funny and ironic as well. because when I visited Kam Yuen's school, " Shaolin West" in Canoga Park in 1996 and spoke with Sifu Mike Marshall and we were speaking of and demonstrating sets and invited them to the tournament that my sifu at the time was sponsoring, He was teaching class and said that he was getting paid or exchanging services to teach classes by Kam Yuen and was known to be affiliated with this group for a long time. And now that something happened that we dont know about all of a sudden he is not legit. Thats funny.

" Moss Never Grows on a Rolling Stone"

[Hieu Nguyen]

well back then I can recall that he started to train at the Torrance school, at the beginners level, stayed for about 3 months or so and then he disappeared for years, and all of a sudden he popped up at the woodland hills school.
He was a young kid at the time and he was supposedely certified in a year by Sifu Kam, Sifu felt sorry for him and thats why he allowed him to work there in exchange for his services, and if you'd ask him back then he'd say the same he says now that Mike Marshall has excellent forms but in a real fight his advice to mike would be to run. I wont get into the specifics of why Mike was kicked out of the Tai Mantis clan but all I can say is that he is a real DISGRACE!!!Sifu Kam Yuens real students dont compete in tournaments, are taught traditional Kung Fu and to my knowledge they all are real Kung Fu fighters. Sifu Kam wouldn't have it any other way.

[beiquan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Sifu Kam Yuens real students dont compete in tournaments, are taught traditional Kung Fu and to my knowledge they all are real Kung Fu fighters [/quote]

just curious... isn't manuel marquez a student of kam yuen? because his students dress up like monks and run around at tournaments doing contemporary wushu in traditional divisions... this always confused the $%*& out of me as i have heard nothing but good things about kam yuen.

[Hieu Nguyen]

Sifu Kam Yuen is in my opinion one of the only traditional Kung Fu masters around today. This person you speak of took some classes from Kam Yuen and he has incooperated it into his own style of martial arts.
The only students that I am aware that Sifu Kam Yuen has placed his name on and has said "Yes these students can Fight as well as teach this system as it was taught to me" are Rob Moses and Scott Cohen he has given the keys to his most advanced student which is Scott Cohen.

[Inquisitor]

What I never understood was why Kam Yuen teaches Tai Chi Praying Mantis, but is not a part of the Chui Chuk Kai Tai Mantis Federation (I'm not sure if I got the name right...at any rate, it is the group that the "Twelve Successors" of which the last grandmaster belong). Does he not have his own Tai Chi Praying Mantis association, completely separate from the others? What really confuses the issue for me, an outsider to the system, is that in Paul Eng's books, he claims his Seven Star Praying Mantis lineage from Kam Yuen. However, Paul Eng is also President of the aforementioned federation (the one with all of Tai Chi Praying Mantis sifu who were given permission to teach by Chui Chuk Kai). If Paul Eng and Kam Yuen know each other so well, couldn't Paul Eng simply put Kam Yuen in the "official" Tai Chi Praying Mantis Federation? Ah well. Don't you just love kungfu politics? :D

[Papieboni]

"Sifu Kam Yuen is in my opinion one of the only traditional Kung Fu masters around today."

yeah its real funny. it's real funny. You should get out more.

" Moss Never Grows on a Rolling Stone"

[This message was edited by KickingMantis on 06-25-01 at 11:39 PM.]

[Hieu Nguyen]

Kam Yuen is a very humble person and besides he has a medical practice to operate. He is Paul Eng cousin.

[Taijimantis]

This is interesting.

Its too bad Sigung isnt alive today to put an end to this... oh wait!

Thats right... Sigung is recognized by most of the traditional Northern Praying Mantis masters in Shantung... But because Grandmaster Chiu altered the style, none of his students are recognized in this fashion as "authentic" or "official" masters of the Tai Chi Mantis line...

Who is to say who is legitimate...

goodness... politcs at their finest...

[Taijimantis]

Telephone interrupted that last...

What I mean is, that the Kungfu we learn form Ly Sifu is by no means "fake" just because someone in Shantung does not want to call him the official lineage holder...

They still respect his Sifu and his kungfu.

I know I have the real deal.

What seems to be the issue? I guess Thats what confuses me.
:confused:

[Hieu Nguyen]

Kam Yuen is the real deal.....

[MonkeySlap Too]

In general he basically paid for his sifu credential which Kam Yuen has staed he regrets to this day.
__________________________________________________

Did Kam Yuen return the money after he kicked him out? I'm just wondering...

I am a big beleiver in luck. The more I work, the more luck I have.

[Hieu Nguyen]

I cant say Sifu Kam actually did that, but I can say that if it was me I would have never gave him a dime because Sifu Kam treated him as an adopted son he allowed him to come to his home, allowed him to work in exchange for training you can't put a price on the training that Sifu Kam taught and besides he also gave him free meals and gave him spending money also.
He even gave him the opportunity to train with him and David Carradine, when David would train.
What else could a person ask for?????

[Papieboni]

It appears as if this is a Kam Yuen, Shaolin West & TaiChi Mantis family affair.

But its typical human relations issues that happens in and out of the martial arts. When you on good terms with someone and every one is getting along. Every one is good and dandy, once people stop getting along they are the worst, their credentials are no good, and they bought or learned everything they know from video tapes.

" Moss Never Grows on a Rolling Stone"

[Scarletmantis]

Look, I don't know any of the folks involved personally, but if Mike Marshall was trained alongside DAVID CARRIDINE, he's gotta be like a god or something! :D

Seriously though, why WAS Mr. Marshall granted the right to teach if he wasn't any good? Trust me my friend, this little controversey is making your school look far worse than any lack of skill on Marshall's part could have done.

Your slander reflects a lack of character, and a deficiency in YOUR training. Who knows? YOU might be next on the list of the "recently dropped".

"Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone"

[Hieu Nguyen]

trust me brothers!
If you would have known what Mike Marshall did you all would agree and want to kick his ass too.
He got b**** slapped by Kam Yuen, so he must have did something very awful for Sifu Kam to do that, Sifu Kam knew Mike couldn't last with him not even 5 seconds in a real fight so he just humiliated him and kicked him out.
Like I said before Sifu Kam regrets it to this day, the association he had with Mike Marshall. You must remember we are all human and we make mistakes too.
You could ask any student of Kam Yuen lineage and they all will agree that Mike Marshall has never been a sifu and never will be.

The pudding is in the cake.

Ask mike why he cant fight. Why he could never break down any forms into applications, why he could never spar. I could go on and on about Mike but if you weren't there you have no business commenting on something you know nothing about.

As far as the association it is highly recognized from Hong Kong to America and Sifu Kam Yuen and his cousin Paul Eng is one of the only recognized teachers of this rare and aggresive art.

[Scarletmantis]

Sorry buddy, but it ismy business, and everyone else's on this forum. You brought up this topic! Many people who read your post are going to be forming an opinion now either for or against Mike Marshall. You have provided no details whatsoever to back up your opinion that he "sucks", and "can't fight". Furthermore, you haven't told us why he was kicked out of your organization. For all I know, he could have left on his own free will.

This blatant attempt to slander Mr. Marshall on the grounds that he isn't any good is frankly laughable! You have admmited in the Tai Chi Forum that you have not yet even decided what style you would like to study! On what basis do you feel qualified to judge anythingabout Marshall's skill?

Again, I assert that you are displaying a gross lack of character. If you are really so concerned about your schools Rep', please don't mention your teacher's name. I am certain that any respectable Sifu would be embarrassed by your actions.

I know of a nice bridge in the KF Forum where billy goats occassionaly cross. Perhaps you'll find better company under there.

[BAI HE]

I don't know alot about the situation but it reminds me of something...

A long time ago I studied Kenpo. One of the Senior students, an extremely talented guy, had just returned to the school.
A short time later I had heard he disrespected the sensei and got his can kicked in to the point of tears and ejected.
Apparently they made up and now the disciple has opened his own school with full blessings.

The fact is our Sifu's, Sensei's and what not invest alot of time in developing us. It's not always about the money. Like any good father the push, pull and mold us to the best of their experience. Sometimes we let them down, make them cross or even angry.
It seems in this situation to many people are speculating. This is between the Master and Mr. Marshall. Maybe they will patch things up. Too much of this kind of crap happens in the MA in general. The only ones who lose are us all.

Peace :rolleyes:

[Hieu Nguyen]

So you want to know facts here you go. I was a white sash at the time mike trie to punch at me and I sweep him and he landed face down on the floor. This wasn't the first time that mike was humiliated in front of fellow students.
Many times practitioners from other styles would come by to view the school and if mike was trying to teach he would try and demonstrate a form or technique and get clobbered.
He loved tournaments but sifu was against them because he taught the old way.
I have made a solemn propise to Sifu Kam that I wouldn't reveal the terribl thing that Mike Marshall has done but all I can say is ask around ask any tai mantis and they will tell you the same.
I'm not trying to cause any friction around the board just donrt believe he should be claiming to know tai mantis or yet alone teach mantis the boy really cant fight.
Ask around if you dont believe me. But ask someone who was there.

[cha kuen]

One thing is for sure though. Chui Chuk Kai is a legend in the books and was one hell of a fighter.

[yingching]

Your post are definatly not helping you. You just inquired about whether or not you would be able to train in Mantis at all, because of your age, physical condition.....
Do you really expect anyone here to believe anything you are saying?
If Sifu Kam is sharing this type of information with his students. Perhaps Mike M did the right thing seperating himself.
Your post are destroying your teachers reputation. Keep up the good work. :rolleyes:

[Hieu Nguyen]

In response to your post One should not speak unless they have all the facts.
So to adress your comments, maybe I am not even overweight? Maybe I am younger than I say? or is it possible that I was asking these questions for someone else who couldn't write in english so I was merely a translator?or maybe I was trying to get a insight what other MA felt about this subject? I mentioned his name because he was claiming to be something he was not.
I recently move to America from Vietnam. I was fortunate to visit the states and had the opportunity to also visit the studio on numerous occasions during my visit back when Mike Marshall was claiming to be teaching.I am a firm believer to believe not with your ears but with your eyes!
I do not believe in exposing other people to your art or brag on your qualifications, I was taught to never expose what has not bên exposed of yourself or your MA ability.
I may have trained for many years in this art?
I want to ask you something coming from a traditionally asian culture, could you honestly tell me that if you went to Vietnam or Hong Kong today and mentioned your name or your teachers name what kind of response would you be given. Kam Yuen isn't my teacher but I can honestly say that if you went to VN or HK and mentioned his name you'd be given the utmost respect. I could say this I have firsthand knowledge of the subject, being I lived in Vietnam most of my life and was extremely involved in the Vietnamese and Chinese Kungfu associations.I have bên studying Tong Long for some time in VN as a closed dÖr disciple. Could you say the same about yourself or your teacher? Asians sê things differently and they teach differently especially teaching westerners vs teaching asians, traditionally we teach asians as closed dÖr disciples.

[cha kuen]

Socalimantis,

What is the purpose of this post? To say that Mike Marshall isn't good?

You've said that. Now is there anything else?

[Hieu Nguyen]

enough said then!

[joedoe]

Can I buy some qualifications as well? :D

I'm with everyone else. Your post has simply made you, your school, and your sifu look very silly. I don't know anything about Mr Marshall, but given that he isn't here to defend himself your post makes you look very bad.

cxxx[]:::::::::::>
What we do in life echoes in Eternity

[Hieu Nguyen]

Apparently you were never taught how to read because I never claimed that Kam Yuen was my teacher, So my suggestion to you is go take a class in remedial reading.
It sure couldn't hurt!
I learned in Vietnam from a relative and he learned from another relative.

[cha kuen]

If you learned tai mantis then you know it's a very small world. Your words and actions reflect on other tai mantis practioners too, like me. Yes I train tai mantis too.

I'm not saying you are doing anything wrong but just keep in mind that what you say reflects your style and others in the style that you may not know. (Like me)

[joedoe]

I don't need a remedial reading course. I read just fine. :)

Doesn't change the fact that your posts make you sound like a right wanker.

cxxx[]:::::::::::>
What we do in life echoes in Eternity

[EARTH DRAGON]

social mantis, chakuen is right what he said about reflecting on others. I was in the same situation that im sure everyone heard/read about 8 step and my sifu James Shyun! however most of the people doing the posting didnt even meet or train with him, so therefore their derogatory remarks were made out of jealousy and heresay. So dont play the same game with others for you are the only one who looks bad in the end! do unto others as you would have others do unto you! the golden rule!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Scarletmantis]

Okay, so let me get this straight. You are a fifty year old Martial Artist from Vietnam. You have been trained as a closed door disciple of a relative. You have trained for many years. You are not sure what MA you should practice due to your age. You call yourself a "Kungfu Newbie" in your bio. You tell us you are overwieght and that you have joint problems in the Health and Fitness Forum. You tell us you are not overwieght. You tell us that "I may have trained in the MA for many years". You tell us that "Maybe I am younger than I say".

You are a liar sir. How can anyone trust a person who has so quickly and crucially proven that he (or she) can't even be honest about themselves, let alone others? :rolleyes:

[nhbfighter_57069]

First I want to state that I don't know Mike Marshall or anyone involved in this, but there a few thing that bothered. 1. That someone would sell someone the name Sifu without them having earned it. 2. You stated that Mr. Marshall was B!t@ched by his former teacher. This is just uncalled for. If there was a problem it should have be solved in private not by striking him in front of other students. 3. That Mr. Marshall can't fight. That could very well be true, but you don't have to be a good fighter to teach people kung fu. You may understand how the tech. works but other things might make you a bad fighter, things which you have no control over. Poor reflex's, glass jaw, things like this that you can work on but more or less you are born with. I am in the Sifu program so I am learning how to teach Kung Fu. I am a good fighter, but not a very good teacher,as of yet. One helps with the other but is not needed. As Master Sun told me, it is easy to make a good fighter, it is much tougher to make a good teacher.
This is nothing against the person that posted this, just my opinion.

[EARTH DRAGON]

I suggest master sun and your sifu kevin take your own advice! for what kevin has just emailed me you cannot possilby call that a good teacher or a martial artist now can you ?????????????

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Nutt'nhunny]

wtf are you talking about Earth Dragon? did you just give someone advice not to bash sifus and then turn around and do the same? I don't know who you are except for your crappy web site that you constantly shove down our throats, but I am sick and tired of you ego bleeding all over this forum. You have your own forum to mentally masterbate on. Doesn't that do it for you? Why do we have to believe that you are so mighty, wise and HUMBLE? BTW you suck, your body is mishaped for kung fu, you should have a better balance from upperbody and lowerbody. Why all these bull**** chi kung claims? I don't care what your sifu can do, what can YOU do? Point at your students head?

I know you are so, so, so humble, but maybe you need real friends to keep you in check and not just your attentive students stroking your ego. If you stroke it anyharder you'll shoot someone in the eye

[EARTH DRAGON]

honey smacks thats cute getting your name from a cereal box! is that where you got your training. becuase from what you stated in your post you must be better than me and anybody else in this forum! I think your HEAD is misshaped for kung fu. by the way if you dont know why I'm pointing at my students head "as you say", how can you attemp to critsize it!you dont even know what Im doing!!! learn to be a better person before you put down others. The reason we have our own forum is for people just like you! ps I bet your motto is smack me and i'll smack you back right diggums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Nutt'nhunny]

wtf are you talking about Earth Dragon? did you just give someone advice not to bash sifus and then turn around and do the same? I don't know who you are except for your crappy web site that you constantly shove down our throats, but I am sick and tired of you ego bleeding all over this forum. You have your own forum to mentally masterbate on. Doesn't that do it for you? Why do we have to
believe that you are so mighty, wise and HUMBLE? BTW you suck, your body is mishaped for kung fu, you should have a better balance from upperbody and lowerbody. Why all these bull**** chi kung claims? I don't care what your sifu can do, what can YOU do? Point at your students head? I know you are so, so, so humble, but maybe you need real friends to keep you in check and not just your attentive students stroking your ego. If you stroke it anyharder you'll shoot someone in the eye.

[nobody]

ok everyone take a deep breath. i am of the opinion why get worked up over something that truly does not matter.

smacks you may be sick of him saying this or saying that...but thats no reason to go ape**** on the man. instead of flaming him why dont you just point out what you dont like, and say "its my opinion that you..." and so on.

now i dont want to take a side... but just where did all that anger come from? granted im not a licensed psychologist or anything like that, but nobody likes a raging psychopath...so why doesnt everyone involved in this little "event" just take a deep breath, and talk about something that we can all agree, on or at least go back to a meaningful discussion.
;)

[EARTH DRAGON]

thank you nobody for your good advice. I dont understand whats wrong with some people! we have this board to express opions and ask/answer questions and people come out of the woodwork to place judgement or put people down that they dont even know! and its usually the guy's with no formal training/teacher who hid behind their keyboards which have the loudest mouths. its pretty funny how someone would have the odasity to offend someone and stake claims that cannot be backed up! its only the guy's that wont say their names or their schools (if they belong to one) or their teacher! if one of my students ever talked bad about anyone elses or their tecnique they would be doing frog jumps forever!and by the way honey who am I bashing? if you are reffering to a post about kevin and master sun "my teacher" it is personal and none of your business but bashing I am not! I wish everyone had a teacher like the ones I've had and nothing negitve would ever be said about anyone! for to judge other people you must first be perfect! he who has not sinned may cast the first stone! sound familar!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[nobody]

no prob, i just call it like i see it.

[Nutt'nhunny]

You must be jesus christ! Forgive me.

Sorry, I thought you were bashing Kevin Sun, I didn't realise that he is your sifu. guess I was wrong. still, you suck. I'm sick of your CAPS IN ALL OF YOUR POSTS SHAMELESSLY PLUGGING YOUR LAME ASS WEBSITE.

I don't care how good Massa K. Sun is or how he can fly with his chi kung, but can YOU? Needles through the leg? Yeah they had a show on the discovery channel about it. Hey he's probably good, but I doubt that you are, too lenky, malproportioned and kinked up to be anything special at chi kung

[EARTH DRAGON]

So let me get this straight, you dont know me, you dont know who my sifu is and you have never met me yet you judge me!and tell me that my web site and I both suck!you my freind have some issues within your self that you need to straighten out. how can you possibly get mad at someone you dont know other than your interpratation of the posts they have made! and none to you! whats wrong with this picture.first off my traning is with two very famous chinese masters one in kung fu and the other in jin gon tzu li gung qi-gong, which I"m sure you havent even heard of much less know so please keep your ignorance a secret and dont tell someone they suck if you dont even know what you claim they suck about!dont get mad at this post just let it sink in and maybe you will understand the reason this forum was created. to help people not to offend perfect strangers.........

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Nutt'nhunny]

you started it, your posting, shameless plugging and sticky ego are what is offensive. Not to mention your kung fu. :rolleyes: :D Luv ya

[nobody]

does it really matter "who started it"? i would think the bigger question would be, who started what? as far as i can see the only "aggressor" here would be you. i think you need to go back to your coloring book. and hey after your done its nap time. if you going to have temper tantrums then do it someplace else. I dont like flaming, but you need to take some anger managment classes and move on.

[EARTH DRAGON]

First off we were having a great thread going until you decided to ruin it with your negativity! My plugging as you say on this forum is a great way to advertise our new site! and my kung fu ?you've never met me and you dont know
anything about me! Sounds like your jealousy has gotton the best of you. I dont feel like I have to explain my self to such a person as you so this is the last time I will respond to you, so please if you dont like my posts dont read them! and if you dont like my kung fu for whatever reason, stop visiting our website! pretty simple isnt it!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[baldmantiz]

wow honeysmacks....would you like some nappy time and a pacifier to keep you from whinning...im sorry but i do not stroke my sifu's non-existant ego. the only one who i see with an ego problem is you my friend...and now you can proceed with your childish name calling with me.

To know others is to have knowledge. To know oneself is to be enlightened.

[Nutt'nhunny]

funny, if you were egoless, then I suppose you wouldn't care to reply. Just what are you and your minions defending if it isn't your fragile ego?

I'm sorry, your right. You are sooo enlightened and have transended your ego. Your posts are all insightfull because you know sooo much and everything is great when your at the center of attention.

I also didn't realize that KFO was your personal billboard. See that add at the top of the screen, someone paid $ for that. Thats where adds go, not in the posting box.

I suppose that I am jealous because after all, your sooo great at kung fu and you want to share your vast knowlege on your very person ego rubbing station. I'm sorry, I meant your forum where you answer everbody's questions like the belevolent know it all that you are.

you know more than me, you are superior. You are smarter, your so pretty, your stances are DEVESTATING!

There, did that feel good? Good now I'm a whare just like your students, now teach some **** or I'll stop stroking your ego. OMG I can't open my eye!

Perhaps you would like to prove your alliance to all your amazing kung fu masters that all make you their number one disciple because your sooo talented. Funny, I always imagined that being someone's slave. I mean disciple was a full time thing. How do you find time to be the disciple of two masters. It must be because you are a genious. Thats the only explanation. Let me guess? Videotapes right? I'm right arent I. Another videotape sifu. So was it panther producions or some indi label. Treasures of china mantis wushu perhaps? I thought so

[EARTH DRAGON]

you must have some problems in your life to have nothing better to do than insult people on the interent you dont know! I suggest you do something positive with your time and stop wasting it away with jealousy and envy. good luck my freind!

http://www.kungfuUSA.net

[Taijimantis]

Let it go already.

[baldmantiz]

im sorry if i seemed like i had an ego...but i did find it offensive that you would go on to say someone sucks without ever having met/seen/etc. how long have you been studying martial arts honeysmacks...style...etc? i would like some background info.

To know others is to have knowledge. To know oneself is to be enlightened.

[Nutt'nhunny]

video tape sifu. BWAHAHAHAHA. Hey where do I buy one? I want to be a sifu too! Was it treasures of china or panther productions? Really! Which video series did you learn from?


Baldmantis: I want to dip my bald head in oil and rub it all over your body.

EARTHDRAGON: I promote you to pink sash! Now I can teach you my sacred snake technique.

Thank you sir, may I have another!?!



Now answer my friggin question. Which video series did you learn from. You wont hear the end of it until you tell me.

[nobody]

sorry to say but your an @ss. goodbye

[Nutt'nhunny]

prove it

[Fu Dog]

This happens to be my first post on this discussion board, or any discussion board for that matter, but I had to reply to some of the
things I was reading about my former sifu Mike Marshall. First I'd like to say that in registering with KF MAG.COM FORUM, I noticed that
the rules stated don't slander or libel another school, instructor or person. But be that as it may, i just wanted to let the readers in on a little inside info as I saw it while training at Sigung Kam Yuen's school under Sifu Mike. I started at Shaolin West International before
Sifu Mike came there to teach. At the time he had his own school in W.Virginia, and he was asked by Kam Yuen to come out to L.A.and teach at S.W.I. Sigung Kam was completely involved in his Chinese Energetic Healing practice, and for good reason. His healing technique is almost magical in the way it works. In fact, I credit Kam Yuen's healing
technique as the reason that I was able to train so hard at my age, (which was 47 at the time). Sifu Mike came to L.A. at Kam Yeun's request to be the Chief Instructor at S.W.I. and he was there EVERY DAY, 7 days aweek from morning til night for just about 1 year. On the weekends the classes
ended in the afternoon, so he only had alittle time for himself. Sifu Mike taught beginners and advanced students, Tai Chi classes and Kung fu classes everyday. When he first came to the school we had about 6 students in the KF class, but soon the classes were almost too big to workout in. We all learned more from Sifu Mike than anyone of us had learned before he was there. Upon hearing that his daughter was having a baby back home, He told Kam Yuen that he had to go back home for 2 weeks, which he did, and by doing that he caught the taste of freedom from the schedule he had been keeping for the past year. After being in L.A. for 1 year, the man didn't even know his way around except for the few blocks between the school and his apt. Kam Yuen paid for his apt. and grocerys and paid him some walking around money. When he
returned to L.A. he told Kam Yeun that he couldn't continue to be a full time instructor under these conditions and needed to have more
free time to try and find means for some extra income. There was a discussion IN PRIVATE about the subject between the two of them. I don't believe it was a heated discussion, at least sifu Mike never let on that it was, but they agreed at that point that Sifu Mike's tenor at S.W.I. was at an end. Now, the only terrible thing that he did at this point was leave the school, because when he left, so did everyone else. A few of us
stuck around S.W.I. but we had no teacher. Kam Yuen wasn't going to teach so the senior student
started teaching the few who were left. Sifu Mike
eventually made it back to his home, but I want to
say this, and I'm confident that I can speak for
all the 30 or 40 students he had in L.A. and that is that we are all the better for having had Mike Marshall as a Sifu, and as a friend, and I know that if he were to call on anyone of us for anything, we would all be glad to return the good for him that he gave to us

[KickingMantis]

isnt this a different perspective than the origintor of this topic presented. I guess this is why it is best to sit back and watch hte fireworks before you make comments on these type of personal issues.

"The key is to begin at the beginning;high level short cuts can only lead to dead end."
"If You can't be honest nothing can happen."

[Havulostyrmind]

socalimantis,

I'm a ShaolinWest student in Clarksburg, WV
There is no truth to what you are saying. Your
feeble attempt to "lash" out at someone whom you are jealous of is funny in a way. For some reason you cannot or will not accomplish a certain level of skill such as Sifu Mike or you are angry at him because since he no longer teaches in California you can no longer benefit from the good fortune he brought to the school.
The things you have said in this forum are actually very disrespectful to Sifu Kam Yuen.
Any reason Sifu Mike does not teach for him is none of your business nor is the internet a place to display personal matters of Sifu and student of any school. I need not stake any claims of Sifu Mike Marshall's skill. Anyone who knows him is aware to some degree of his skill level which is of no concern to anyone but himself in the first place. I will tell you this however, his attitude and dedication to the martial arts is enough to make any Sifu proud and I find myself very fortunate to know him. As far as whether he can trully fight or not. Why not try yourself?
You say you are a beginner Tai Mantis student..according to your claims..that is enough for him to lose. Have fun with it.

Matt Corbitt

[dragon mantis]

I had planned for a big long response on this but realized its not worth my time...I would love to know what you are trying to achieve with this post about Sifu Mike?Is it a personal gain,revenge,or is this just the work of a jealous person?Ive never seen so much false info in my life..
I can say one thing,lets stop this charade (luey (sp?)i believe is your name.if i got the name wrong i got 2 more you could be), stop posting things on message boards (internet tough guys are so unbecoming), having things posted to web sites or whatever else you can come up with....why not go to mike (he is in Kentucky) and tell him how bad he is and whatever nonsense you feel the need to do...
you can post on the internet all you want,because you know the truth about Mike..and you know the truth always comes back to haunt you!

Dave R.
one of mikes WV students

[tfmkelly]

I am not afraid to give my name unlike Mr. Socalmantis. Tom Militello in Louisville.

First of all I have been training martial arts in Tai Kwon Do for 5 years. I was always disappointed in the FAKE teachings I was receiving. Then by chance I meet the most amazing MARTIAL ARTIST I have ever seen. His name is SIFU MIKE MARHALL. I do not know who this SOCALIMANTIS is, but I know for a fact Sifu Mike is not fake. I am with him on a daily basis and believe in him so much I told everyone about him I new. They meet him once and begged him to open a school! He is the most patient, kind, knowledgeable TEACHER I have ever seen.

If this socialmantis ******** believes he could KICK SIFU MIKES ASS, why don't he challenge him face to face, in fact he is sitting right next to me and he has a few words to say to this no class loser who hides behind a computer and who hangs around school yards looking at children!

Tom Militello

Gentleman,

I AM SIFU MIKE MARTIAL. Now let's talk!

I do not know the people who are saying these things about me. I wish I knew who they where (Real Names) not computer names.

FOR SOCALIMANTIS

If you where to research with your mind and not with your mouth I was not kicked out of the school and I was not B***** slapped by Kam Yuen! I studied with Kam Yuen in Torrence, Cali. in 1982. I trained with him till 1987 till my enlistment with the U.S.M.C. was finished. I would fly back out to Cali occasionally to train with him and he also flew into WV to see me and to participate in a tournament I held there. If you where there like you claim to be, then you would know Dave Noch., Neal DeGregory, Nater, Rob Moses, Scott Cowens and Mike Dawson and numerous others that will all verify my qualifications. I do not remember you.

Another thing. Kam Yuen never had sashes. So white sash, you must have been looking at your bathrobe belt. There was a student named Mike Dawson who did get into it with Kam Yuen. It was not I!

I would like to thank everyone who responded to this Socalmantis in my defense. I am happy to see there are still martial artists with intergrity and I applaud them!

If either of those two "Gentlemen" would like to respond, I will be monitoring this board. I will also be in Cali. for a visit soon!

Sifu Mike Marshall

[Taijimantis]

Bravo?

I am not certain how to respond to this... its rather confusing.

Whay is a 5year martial artist spelling Taekwondo "Tai Kwon do"?
Why is Mr Marshalls name spelled "Martial" in one place and "Marshall" in another?

I am a Tai Chi Praying Mantis practitoner and student of one of the old school 12 from Vietnam.
I personally dont care if this guy is "legit" or not.
If this was just a couple of type-os thats cool and I applaud the initative to set the record straight. If this is the case I stand by my Taichi Mantis brother.

(I asolutely detest "tai Mantis")grandmaster Chiu taught Tai Chi Praying Mantis... but thats just my cup of tea.

If not then this is another sad atempt at prolonging a topic that should have died a long time ago... In fact Social Mantis claims to have returned to Vietnam.

So really. either go take your beef up with the man and decise for yourself... or let it go.

[tfmkelly]

Since you are the worlds greatest typist you never make typo's. Kiss my ASSSSSSSSSSSS!

[NorthernMantis]

Hey Taijimantis.I have a kung fu brother who used to be in Taiji mantis up in in Michigan before he moved down here to florida.I know the name of his sifu but I don't know how to spell it.Perhaps yo may know him?His name id Tim(I wont mention his laast nemae here).

Just e-mail me at shaolin96@hotmail.com

"Always be ready"

[Havulostyrmind]

I think socalimantis is done. I'll also bet he's
a bit scared now. Didn't think anyone who mattered would see your trash talk?

[Fu Dog]

Taijimantis
This is only an attempt to clear a good man's name and reputation, and something like this just can't be let go without a rebuttle. If you don't care if the man's legit or not is not of any concern to those of us who do care. By the way,,,, I noticed a mis-spelled word in your reply, (but who really cares ?)

[Taijimantis]

I am sorry you feel that way.

I said if they were type-o's that was cool, but you hadda go and make it ugly.

I am sorry we cant be friendlier. Next time I will listen to my inner voice and keep all those thoughts of backing up my martial brothers to myself.

I wasnt being critical of anyones office skills. If you note the things I pointed out they were in places that were oddly suspect. I wasnt claiming perfection or trying to insult anyone. Just showing some healthy skeptacizm. (If that is how you spell it)
I just found the post somewhat confusing, and the fact that it seemed Mr. Marshall couldnt spell his own name. Which would be a little odd now wouldnt it?
It was that or two people typing on the same post.

Fu Dog:
I am sorry you feel the way that you do also. In my circle, an online post in a message bord frequented by trolls is hardly anything a legitimate sifu cares about. Their reputation is made and maintained by their actions and those of their students. Sometimes I wonder if you good people have much of a life beyond these things. There is entirely too much weight and value placed on these posts.

So if you want to criticize me go ahead. Its no skin off my nose.

My comments were not made out of anger.

Have fun rotting in that ****ed off world you live in friends.

Little less time in forums... a little more practicing.


I wasnt being critical of anyones

[Taijimantis]

typeo

I am more than happy to point that out.

[Fu Dog]

There is entirely too much weight and value placed on these posts.

Taijimantis

Sorry guy,,,, I have to respectfully disagree.
There are alot of people who read these Forums and
form opinions on the collective views of others.
We just wanted to present the other side of the
coin that the readers were not getting. Like I said, no one here wants to get into a ****ing contest, just try to bring light to a fallacy.
I would think that if someone got on the Net with names and dates and occurances that never took place about YOUR sifu, you too would be compeled to protect his honor and respec

[Vanessa]

This is in reply to socalimantis and any other moron that gets off on slamming someone with the help of a keyboard because I seriously doubt that you could do so through your so called MA skills.I have been in MA for ten years. I was training in karate when Sifu Mike Marshall and a few of his students walked in the school for a visit. I was so impressed with his conditioning and skills and that of his students, that I followed him out the door and never looked back. I have also met Kam Yuen. I spent some time training at Shaolin West Int.in Canoga Park while Sifu Mike worked there as an instructor. See, I'm like most all of Sifu Mike's students, I would follow him anywhere to train with him. After spending time at Shaolin West, I know that Sifu Kam is not a vengeful person. He is a highly educated and intelligent individual that would never feel the need to slander anyone. If there were any disgreements between Mike and Sifu Kam, they are private and should remain so.You are the disgrace to Sifu Kam Yuen, not Mike. But actually I take your idiotic, slandering comments about Mike Marshall as just plain jealousy. And we all know that jealousy is the best form of flattery. You are a coward. And if I'm wrong, you will, when the opportunity presents itself, sit and discuss this in person with Mike Marshall and not hide behind a screen name. And if I ever have the opportunity of seeing you in person, I will call you a coward to your face, and will have no problem doing so. I wasn't going to end this with a quote like most have been doing, but after reading your lame comments, there is one quote that reminds me of someone like yourself:
"Loud mouth speaketh the empty mind".(not by anyone special, just me)
What a shame some of us had to meet on such a bad note. That is not the way of martial arts

[Taijimantis]

Guess Ill cross that bridge when I get to it.

[Integrity]

I also have the honor of knowing Sifu Mike Marshall and studied with him when he was in Shaolin West of Canoga Park, California.

When Sifu Mike came to the school, there was only very few people left since Sifu Kam Yuen wasn't interested in teaching Tai Chi or Kung Fu any more. Sifu Mike built the school from the ground up to where the class was almost too big to accommodate everyone. He worked more than 12 hours a day and 7 days a week. He made sure the school was nice and clean for us to practice in. He didn't even have time to eat lunch nor dinner since he was the only instructor there and the classes were scheduled with only 15 minutes or less apart. Without him, the school would have been closed long before it actually did.

There is no doubts in my mind of his skills and integrity. He is one of the most honest persons I know. Whoever this Socalimantis person is, he is a lier. And by slandering someone through Internet or any other means is also a very low-class behavior.

And to Taijimantis: just because one has trouble with spelling, doesn't make them a lier either. You said you didn't really care about the spelling but why then did you point it out? It seemed that you were implying that because he spelled something incorrectly, he was not telling the truth. Sorry if I have misspelled anything, but that doesn't diminsh the message. Thanks.

[Taijimantis]

As I explained earlier friends, I simply found the post confusing.

The reason I pointed out the spelling was because it appeared as though as Marshall Sifu misspelled his own name. That seemed a bit odd. Does that not seem odd to you that one would misspell their own name?

People please dont redirect your anger towards me.
Agree or disagree but turning my query into a personal attack to be responded to in kind only strengthens the statement I made about these forums being taken too seriously.

I am a Tai Chi Mantis practitoner. I would think that would tell you something. My style and my clan is important to me, but not so much I feel I need to spend all my waking time being the KFO police. lol.

Socialmantis is gone.
No one else is saying Marshall is a fraud... let it go.

I will say nothing more on this matter

[Integrity]

No one is re-directing their anger toward you. We are just responding to your questions on your postings. Why would you take that as "personal attack"? Your reaction seems very odd to me.

If you read that posting carefully, you will notice that the posting contained two person's responses. Knowing Sifu Mike, he is not a computer expert. But he does have a sense of humor. It may have been a joke to spell his last name as MARTIAL instead of Marshall.... You know, like Martial Arts...

You do know that there are thousands and thousands of people in the US can't write or spell, right?

[Vanessa]

How convenient, socalimantis is gone, like the coward he (or she) is. He ( or she) spread their poison and ran.

[nobody]

because i do it all the time...but i did get an 1160 on the SAT's so i must have spelled it right that time LOL :D