Introduction: Bridging Kenpo, Shaolin, and Modern Combat
The martial arts lineage of Grandmaster Olaf E. Simon represents one of Canada’s most fascinating hybrid systems—a direct bridge between Ed Parker’s American Kenpo, Shaolin Kung Fu, and practical street combat. After training under one of Parker’s top female black belts and studying with Shaolin monks, Simon forged a unique system that became Temple Kung Fu in Alberta, Canada.
This article explores:
✔ Simon’s training under Ed Parker’s protégé (Sandra LaRose)
✔ His Shaolin influences and transition from Kenpo to Kung Fu
✔ The combat curriculum of Temple Kung Fu
✔ How this lineage compares to Modern Combat Martial Arts (MCMA)
Part 1: Olaf Simon’s Kenpo Roots (Ed Parker Lineage)
Training Under Sandra LaRose
- Simon’s primary Kenpo instructor was Sandra LaRose, one of Ed Parker’s earliest female black belts and a senior figure in Canadian Kenpo.
- LaRose trained directly under Parker in the 1960s-70s and helped spread American Kenpo in Western Canada.
- Simon learned Parker’s core system:
- Chain punch combinations
- Circular blocking/redirection (Kung Fu influence)
- Self-defense against grabs & weapons
Supplemental Training in Kempo & Shaolin
- Simon also studied Okinawan Kempo, which retained deeper Chinese Kung Fu principles than mainstream Karate.
- He traveled to China/Taiwan, where he trained with Shaolin monks, learning:
- Five Animal Styles (Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Snake, Panther)
- Qigong breathing & iron body training
- Chin Na (joint locks/throws)
Part 2: The Birth of Temple Kung Fu
Why Shift from Kenpo to Kung Fu?
- Simon noticed Kenpo’s limitations in fluidity and energy cultivation.
- Shaolin training gave him deeper body mechanics (rooting, silk-reeling power).
- He sought to merge Kenpo’s street effectiveness with Kung Fu’s holistic combat science.
Temple Kung Fu’s Hybrid Curriculum
Simon’s system blended:
1. Kenpo/Kempo Foundations
- Ed Parker’s rapid hand combinations
- Kempo’s joint manipulation
2. Shaolin Kung Fu
- Animal Styles (Tiger power, Crane balance, Snake precision)
- Chin Na grappling (wrist locks, sweeps)
- Weapons (staff, broadsword)
3. Modern Adaptations
- Sparring drills (Kenpo’s timing + Kung Fu’s footwork)
- Military/police tactics (pressure testing for real fights)
Part 3: Temple Kung Fu vs. Modern Combat Systems
| Aspect | Temple Kung Fu | MCMA |
|---|---|---|
| Roots | Kenpo + Shaolin | White Lotus + Military CQC |
| Striking | Animal power + Kenpo chains | Neuro-combative disruptors |
| Grappling | Chin Na locks | BJJ/Judo hybrids |
| Training | Forms + sparring | OODA cycle hacking |
| End Goal | Traditional mastery | Combat science optimization |
Legacy in Canadian Martial Arts
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- Simon’s students became instructors, MMA fighters, and law enforcement trainers.
- His system proved street-effective while preserving tradition.
Conclusion: The Perfect Hybrid?
Olaf E. Simon’s journey—from Ed Parker’s Kenpo to Shaolin to Temple Kung Fu—shows how martial arts evolve without losing their roots.
MCMA follows this philosophy, blending:
✔ Kenpo’s speed
✔ Kung Fu’s biomechanics
✔ Military disruption tactics
Train the Evolution Yourself:
From Kenpo to Kung Fu—Master Adaptive Combat.
— Modern Combat Martial Arts (MCMA)
