| This page reflects feedback from CAACMA students with varying backgrounds and experiences. These are their own words and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CAACMA.
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| Name | Paul Teather |
| Biography | older martial artist, tradesman, husband and father |
| Martial Arts Experience | Had an introduction to martial arts many years ago by a very serious teacher who gave me basics that have stayed with me for thirty years. More recently attained a blue belt level from a commercial martial arts school in American Kempo and Arnis. |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | Started to realize that the martial art school that I was attending wouldn`t provide me with the skills that I would need to be able to address a serious situation with a dangerous adversary. At this point I started to look for a teacher who could teach me something real, and not just the Hollywood high flying kicks that so many people believe would help them in a bad situation. |
| Comments: | For people that wish to learn martial arts that is real, that is what is taught at this school. After students are given basic skills, Mike and his senior students will guide a person to approach a confrontation according to their physical abilities and according what is coming at them. Everyone is different and that is recognized at the school. |
| Name | Paul Doucet |
| Biography | Oldest son of Mike Doucet and Arborist |
| Martial Arts Experience | Close to a lifetime of exposure. Several pockets of time over the years training with my father. |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | When I was a boy, I was there when my father trained. From what I remember, I was the only child ever there and of course I liked to pretend I was working out with the adults. I have seen many amazing demonstrations of skill over the years and am certain that I would never be more satisfied than with what my father and his teachers have to offer me. |
| Comments: | I often avoid discussions about martial arts with people. I don't believe they could possibly fathom the dedication my father has given to his training. I also don't believe people have an impression that befits the magnitude of skill a person can attain through these studies and training. I still, to this day, can sit in awe -- watching my father demonstrate his ability. |
| Name | Oleg Klipitch |
| Biography | 42 years old. Doctor (Urologist), from the Ukraine. Married with 1 daughter, 11 years old. |
| Martial Arts Experience | A few years Judo. A few years Sambo. Short term self-defence courses. |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | Experience of master and older students |
| Comments: | Very clost to real life. Good discipline, reasonably hard training. |
| Name | Mark Ting-Choy |
| Biography | |
| Martial Arts Experience | none |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | Always wanted to take a martial art, but was skeptical about teachers and their reasons for teaching. I found Mike`s views and honesty refreshing and close to what I sought. |
| Comments: | I like the fact that you do not progress by time put in. ie. to say after "x" months you will have "said" better sash. The club is not about "looks" but about maintaining a bar of excellence and standards. There is conditioning and contact which I found out later is not true of all clubs. How can one say they know this type of art without understanding physical contact. |
| Name | Jason Staniforth |
| Biography | Grew up in the country. Lived in Japan for a year (grade 11.) History graduate. Going to Teacher`s College in the fall. |
| Martial Arts Experience | Meibukan Gojuryu. Traditional Okinawan. A little Wing Chun. |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | I was looking for a long time for a good quality club. I couldn`t find one. I`d heard good things from people over the years about Pak Mei, so I called. It didn`t take long for me to see it was the real thing and I was hooked. |
| Comments: | This club is not for show. It seems very Darwinistic. It seems to me, if you stick around for a awhile you must be pretty tough. Unlike other London clubs, this is real classic martial arts. Compared to my Karate training in Japan, Pak Mei emphasizes adaptability and fluidity. Whereas, the Karate was so focused on repetition and solidity that there would be little chance to take it from theory into practice. |
| Name | Dan Robertson |
| Biography | High school student. |
| Martial Arts Experience | Karate and Kendo. 1 week at CAACMA |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | I researched various schools in London, and found this to be one of the least expensive. When I called to learn more about it I got the impression that it is a club that takes training seriously, but would still be a fun place to go. So far that impression is right. |
| Comments: | The classes tend to have fewer people in them, allowing for the teacher to work with students individually if they are having problems with a technique. Also there is a lot of emphasis on defenses that would really work, and a lot less on flashy show-off junk. |
| Name | Clint Lipczynski |
| Biography | After graduating from University in 1993, I moved to London and searched for a martial arts club to continue the training I had begun while attending University. After visiting almost every club in London, I found a small 2-line ad for White Eyebrow Kung Fu in the local PennySaver. I signed up after watching a class and have been a member of the club ever since, travelling from St. Catharines, Guelph, and now Kitchener to continue my studies with Sifu Doucet. |
| Martial Arts Experience | University Clubs: Tae Kwon Do (1 year) Shotokan Karate (1 year) Iaido (1 year) Aikido (3 years) |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | No fancy ad, no trophies in the windows and no padded floors. After watching a solid workout (including body conditioning), I was shown the first section of a Pak Mei form and liked the energy I saw. |
| Comments: | No-nonsense approach to effective martial arts. No room for egos or belt collectors. Previous martial arts experience is not discarded, but rather it is integrated and further improved upon. Hard training is rewarded with higher levels of technique interpretation. Flexible curriculum that can be molded to each student`s strengths and capabilities. |
| Name | Chris McCowan |
| Biography | Computer Scientist specializing in integrating business reporting and manufacturing processes with web technology. |
| Martial Arts Experience | 1 Year of Karate (10 years old.) 2 Years of Tae Kwon Do (12 - 14 years old.) Other informal. Now two - two and a half years with CAACMA. |
| What made you decide to join CAACMA? | I read alot about Kung Fu and I always wanted to learn. I was looking for a few things. I hoped to learn something that reflected the nature of the times that created Kung Fu. I wanted to improve my health. From the website and watching part of a class I saw enough to want to give it a try. |
| Comments: | CAACMA is quality, not progress oriented. As for progress, you are your own measure, the focus is on learning the real art. Progress at CAACMA isn`t a pat on the back or something you wear around the waist. In other words, it seems possible to focus on progression to the point of running to the field goal without realizing you don`t have the ball, like cramming for tests but not being able to command the knowledge in a meaningful way. Not here. Progress at CAACMA is you get what you can handle, when you are ready for it. |
email info@pakmei.net