Jessica C.

Orleans, Ontario

I have developed skills that, possibly I could not have learned anywhere else.

I was 9 years old, when my father enrolled me with Patenaude’s Fang Shen Do Kung-Fu. Now, 20 years old, and all grown up, I can see that this martial art school made me who I am today. I am now a confident, fit and strong – mentally and physically, woman. Those are only some of the benefits I’ve gained along the years of my training.

Derrick B.

Orleans, Ontario

I should of joined this program much sooner!…

I have been doing Kung Fu for a few years now, and I just got my brown sash. To this day Fang Shen Do has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Some days when I am in a bad mood, I may go to Kung Fu angry but I will always leave happy. When I am done a class I always feel great, I always feel like I have achieved something. At Fang Shen Do you do not just become a student, you become part of a family. Fang Shen Do teaches more than just Kung Fu, they also teach life values and goals.

David Roberts

Orleans, Ontario

Respect and commitment are taught as well as the techniques and physical training…

I joined the Fang Shen Do Kung-fu club in November 2008 and it’s been the greatest experience of my life. I was a middle aged 43 year old man and I never considered myself in bad shape, and I wasn’t overweight, but I was so dormant I couldn’t reach my feet to put my socks on in the morning anymore, I knew I had to do something. My son who was nine at the time also wanted to get back into martial arts, but wanted to do something different.

We found this club on the internet and decided to give it a try; I had done a small amount of Kung-fu as a teenager and liked this particular style compared to others I had tried in my early twenties. My son began his training and liked it so much I joined shortly after he did. He is now old enough that he is graduated from the kid’s class to the adult class and we now train together.

Name & City withheld for privacy

Ontario, Canada

3 months after my cancer treatments I saw so much improvement…

“I join only 6 to 7 months ago and could only train one day per week. I miss a lot of training days to due to my health. But what I’ll tell you right now is that, in only that little amount of time of training that I got I saw so much improvement in myself. As you know I have been through cancer treatment last year and that is really hard to overcome, especially to get fit again. 3 months after my treatments for cancer I tried to go and pass the PREP test for Policing but was not able to make it…at all.

Paul Rivard

46 years old Sales rep, Tae Kwon Do black belt 1st degree, Karate black belt 4th degree

“I had 20 years of martial arts experience before joining Fang Shen Do. It is the most complete style I’ve found for self defense training, personal development drills and life skills. I am in better shape now at 46 than when I was 20 years old. The Instructors I’ve trained with are very knowledgeable and represent what real martial arts are all about.”

Robert Waters

59 year old business owner

“I started kung-fu training at 56 years old to get back in shape and hopefully regain the vitality of my youth. The classes quickly exceeded my expectations. My level of energy, my strength and flexibility have more than doubled. I’ve been part of martial arts for about 30 years and this style is the best I’ve seen.”

Tania W.

“I first joined Fang Shen Do Kung Fu when I was looking for a sporty activity to do together with my husband – something that was fun, but that was a challenge physically.  The first thing I noticed was the changes in my body. In the first class, I think I completed 3 pushups in a row. Later I could do closer to 50! The other thing I noticed and love is the change in my own perception of myself. My physical body is constantly challenged in FSD, but so is my mind and spirit!”

Nathan M.

“When I started Kung Fu, my marks were average and my self-esteem was not up to its full potential.  I thought I was healthy, until I started Kung Fu.  After my first class I developed a whole new idea about what health was.  Today my self esteem has grown significantly.  My school marks are now in the 90’s.  In Air Cadet’s, my marks have improved to a point where I feel confident that I will get the power scholarship and my pilot’s license.“

Wendy V.

“Before joining Fang Shen Do, our son was very reserved and withdrawn. The changes that we and our extended family have seen in him are tremendous.He has gained confidence, will initiate conversations and looks at people’s faces instead of at the ground. He now sets goal for himself – such as earning his next sash – and works towards and achieves his goal.  He also set goals in other aspect of his life and achieves those as well.”

Erica R.

“I started Kung Fu about three years ago and love it.  I use to be one of those girls who would walk down the street looking at her feet and I would only speak when I was spoken to. Fang Shen Do has given me the confidence to lift my head up and see the world and talk to the people passing by. The knowledge that I have gained is incredible, I truly feel that if I had to defend myself I could do it – no question. The instructors are great and really know what they doing, they have a great attitude and make Kung Fu easy to enjoy. I fully intend to continue my training and “Tipping my cup to new knowledge” Thank you Sifu.”

Laura S.

“One dark night, as I approached my car, a young man jumped out of the back hatch and ran off. He had been trying to steal a radio and his sudden appearance left me frozen to the spot. Luckily he intended me no harm, but I decided to learn how to defend myself. When the Richmond Kung fu school offered a women’s self defense course, I attended with my daughter. By the end of the night, I felt more comfortable and a short time later, signed up to train regularly.  Now I feel I could adequately defend my family and myself!“

Yves Raymond

41 years old Financial Advisor

“At 37 years old I decided to join F.S.D. I was skeptical at first that I would learn only fighting techniques and basic physical training, I was so wrong! In the first year I went from a 38” waist to a 32” and gained tremendous energy. It shows in my soccer games, at my job and at home playing with my son. My son has gained confidence, discipline and also strong role models that will serve him well for his future. We do this as a family and each session is a great experience. I discovered I enjoy especially the weapons training. They give me a state of Zen and relaxation. You have made me and Tristan lifelong students.”

Allan Dove Orleans

“…in awe of their knowledge/skills and ability to teach masses of people effectively…” “I had always wanted to practice some form of Martial Art, but my parents never had enough to start me in some school. In a way, I think it was a blessing because I doubt that they would have put me into this system. “By the time I could afford my own training I was originally going to look at a variety of different schools. Luckily, the first school I tried was Patenaude’s. I knew then and there that I did not need to try another. I was blown away by the practical techniques which were taught the first night.

Brian Paquette Montreal

“All my excuses for not trying were proven wrong, i.e. not strong enough, not flexible enough, too old to start, etc.” “I have always had an interest in Martial Arts; I just didn’t do anything about it. So finally one morning I decided that I would start Kung Fu. After I had my first Patenaude Kung-Fu class I decided that this is it. I’ve been coming 3-4 times a week since. All my excuses for not trying were proven wrong i.e. not strong enough, not flexible enough, too old to start, etc.

Philippe B.

“…quickly progressed to the white sash…” “About 6 months ago, I was introduced to Patenaude Kung-Fu while sparring with a friend. I was using the old boxing style technique I had learned a few years before while he was frustrating me with traps and kicks and overwhelming punches I’d never seen and, that, needless to say, I wanted to learn. The next day, as per coincidence I was walking on Catherine Street and recognized the logo my friend had on his shirt. “Well here I am today, I’ve been studying the Patenaude Kung-Fu system for 3 months now. I quickly progressed to the white sash and I am gaining confidence in my physical and fighting abilities day by day.”