Temple Knights Martial Arts Academy
Our philosophy centres around the martial arts, artistic pursuits, a spiritual lifestyle. We follow the principles of classical Knighthoods and our code is “Live Pure, Speak Truth, Right Wrong, Follow the King”.
Temple Knights in Muskoka is situated on 170 acres surrounded by the beauty of forest, stone and water on Hwy. 117 E. near Bracebridge, Ontario in Canada. We are an approximately 2 hour drive north from Toronto.
Our Renfrew location is located between Pembroke and Petawawa in the Laurentien Valley.
Classes, seminars and summer camps are held on the Muskoka property. Construction is almost complete on the Temple Pavilion, a large log and stone hall facing Dragonfly Pond.
Outreach classes are held in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Dorset, Port Carling and the surrounding areas. Arrangements can also be made to have instruction in your area on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
Click here to register for classes.
Temple Knights Martial Arts Masters and Instructors
Our martial arts consist of a non redundant and wide variety of styles including Shaolin (Hungar, Wing Chun), Wudang (Tai Chi Chuan), Kenjitsu, Ninjutsu and more. Following the concepts taught by Bruce Lee, we believe in studying the best of the best. A Knight must be adaptable.
Sigung John Oliver Peel
Lineage
Chang San Feng passed his knowledge on to Wang Zong, Chen Tong Shou, Zhang Son Xi, Yeji Mei, Wang Zong Yue and Jiang Fa, who passed the art to Chen Wang Ting, who taught Chen Chang Xin, Chen You Ben and Chen Jing Ping. It was through the Chen Chang Xin lineage that Yang Lu Chan acquired his skills. His son, Yang Jian, taught Yang Chen Fu, who taught General Chan Yueng, who taught Sigung John Oliver Peel in the 1970’s.
Biography
Founder of Temple Knights in 1982, Sigung John Peel has been studying and researching many different styles of martial arts including Hungar, Wing Chun, Tai Chi Chuan, Aikido, Sword and Ninjutsu since the early 1960’s. He is a second generation student of Yang Chen Fu and a student of Master Ho Shu Ying. Inspired by Bruce Lee, his style is enriched by the practice of the soft internal styles and he has a deep understanding of Chi, movement, combat strategy/tactics, the meditative mind and philosophy. He states, “It has been my pleasure to guide many seekers into the path of spiritual enlightenment through the martial arts.”
Sigung John Peel is the author of the resourceful book “Tai Chi Journey.” He is a producer, writer, composer, director, actor, choreographer, painter, pilot, bonsai master, co-founder of The National Martial Arts Theatre Company and has starred in several acclaimed martial arts instructional videos/DVD’s selling on the international market.
In 2009 Master Peel took home a gold medal for his Yang style Tai Chi form and a Silver for his Saber, the two categories in which he participated in the Canadian Tai Chi Open Championships.
Master John Oliver Peel is a Judge with Wu Shu Ontario and Wu Shu Canada.
Sifu Valerie Houston-Peel
Sifu ( teacher) Valerie, co-owner, teacher, administrator of Temple Knights Martial Arts Academy has been studying Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Meditation, weapons and spiritual study since 1982. She graduated in 1987 with her Black Sash in Kung and decided to focus more on teaching the internal arts for a while. Later she renewed her interest in the Kung Fu curriculum and was promoted to her Black Sash 4th level in 2023. Sifu Valerie teaches the children’s Kung Fu programs and specializes in Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Meditation, Tai Chi Sword forms and Sabre. Over the years, Sifu Valerie has incorporated the Chinese Five Element Health System into her practice and teaches this in her group and private classes throughout Muskoka and beyond. She conducts corporate Health & Wellness seminars and Women’s Wellness Retreats and designs her programs to nourish mind, body soul and spirit in accordance with the seasons. She has seen many transformations in the lives of her students over the years. As VP and Co-owner of Temple Knights Productions, Sifu Valerie has also produced many instructional dvd’s, theatrical productions and is featured on several health and fitness DVD’s & downloads.
Sifu Janna Clarke
Sifu Janna started her journey with Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan in 1998 with The Upper Ottawa Valley Tai Chi Club in Pembroke Ontario. She began training as a teacher for the club in 1999. She continued on her path with Temple Knights starting with Tai Chi Chuan & Chi Kung in 1999, Meditation in 2000, Kung Fu in 2001 and Novice(knight in training) & teacher training in 2004. Under the guidance of Sigung John Oliver Peel and Sifu Valerie Houston of Temple Knights Muskoka, Sifu Janna founded the Temple Knights Pembroke School in 2006. Sifu Janna was awarded her Tai Chi & Chi Kung Health Certification in 2007 and gained her black sash in Kung Fu followed by her promotion to Sifu in 2016.
In addition to Temple Knights curriculum Sifu Janna has studied Flying Rainbow Fan Form with Master Helen Wu. This beautiful form was originated by her mother Grandmaster and Professor Wang Ju Rong (1928-2005)one of the most highly regarded women in Chinese martial arts.
Sifu Janna is also a certified Registered Nutritional Product Advisor and is currently furthering her studies in acupressure.
Sifu Janna is an accomplished student, practitioner and teacher with Temple Knights and continues to offer a wide range of classes as well as presentations, retreats and seminars.
Richard Cowley
In 2012, Richard graduated from the four year Temple Knight’s Tai Chi Chuan Teacher’s Program and has been teaching part time since then. He began the Kung Fu program several years ago to complement his Tai Chi training and though it is challenging, it has been very a very rewarding part of his life . Richard has his Green Sash and assists with the children’s Kung Fu program.
Tai Chi is very important to me. Sifu Valerie and Sigung John have the knowledge, experience, investment, of this ancient art to their students.
I have a 13 yr old with Tourettes Syndrome. Kung Fu has taught him strategies for coping through meditation and relaxation…He is so happy to have found a connection with the Temple Knights academy and their teachings…he looks forward to going to every class!
I so enjoy being a student …with my daughter…I’ve found my posture, and my core self again after having two children! I can’t imagine my life without this wonderful energy I’ve discovered with the help of Temple Knights. I know now that I will be a life-long participant in these art forms. Thank you Sigung and Sifu for the enlightenment.
Temple Knights Kung Fu is wonderful …They provided me an ideal foundation to study Kung Fu in the years to come. They have seemingly limitless skill to teach you. They will work with you, at your pace…You will quickly strengthen and gain balance.
I started as a student of Tai Chi with Sifu Valerie. Being a trade’s person with a history of chronic back pain, I was hoping to establish a regular practice to address this and seasonal depression that had plagued me throughout my adult life… I have found my sense of physical and psychological well-being greatly improved.
Tai Chi is one of the best things I have ever done! I’m starting to get in a “zone” when I am practicing & you know my energy (I have enough energy of five people in my one body…) & with what’s going on at the moment… it’s one of the only things that has never slowed me down & helped me to focus, etc.. THANK YOU!!!
I look forward to Sifu Valerie’s weekly Tai Chi class. A variety of activities keeps each session interesting and fun…I noticed that in a relatively short time my balance has improved. I have a growing feeling of confidence as I learn to move fluidly from one posture to the next.