Legacy Martial Arts LLC

Stopped in to view children's & adult martial arts classes. A local visit after stopping in on some martial Arts schools in Missoula, and elsewhere. The first class I watched was a children's class taught by an older woman. Very disappointing. She ran the class like a children's playroom and their performance during the class indicated they had been taught next to nothing. No instruction of any kind was given compared to other martial arts schools I visited. Certainly not a learning environment for children who would respond well to qualified instructors. Probably a good reason why there are very few students in this class. Class and instructor 1 star. I watched the adult class which is offered twice a week for Arnis a Phillipine Martial Art. It is taught by a Mr. Vacarro who claims to be a Master but no posted credentials to indicate that. The first thing noticeable was the instructor's limp at times. Though the class didn't waste time and covered material it appeared to be presented in a non curriculum format, lots of this and that which was confirmed by viewing another class at a later date, difficult method for students of any level to learn in a consistent manner. The attendance in the class was low with mostly beginning students and only 2 advanced level students. Compared to other schools with very large class attendance indicating a well established school. Other things that stood out were at times the instructor at times demeaning to senior age students, playing the bongo drums during some of the drills ??, limited instruction for beginning students, expecting respect even off the martial arts training area, etc. Certainly the instructor, a senior adult himself, tries but I dont feel he succeeds. The sparring section among students was mostly poor in my opinion and not indicative of students with actual skills. I have viewed a number of escrima Phillipine Martial Arts schools/classes in California and there is no comparison to Legacy which has a far lower standard of instruction and expertise. Only two Arnis classes are offered each week and the school is closed for the summer (3 months plus). This is hardly a good learning environment for serious students and something not seen in all the schools I have visited which had a far number of classes and programs and a number of black belt instructors to assist the head instructor. Examples Aikido SchoolS in Missoula and Kalispell, and the Tae Kwon Do schools in Missoula and Kalispell, as well as an excellent Judo program by Kodakan certified instructors at the U. of M. My own experience comes from two martial arts that I studied over 15 years ago. Japanese Karate that I reached brown belt in, and Judo in high school and at the U of M at brown belt level. (Brown belt just below 1st degree black belt). The credentials of these master instructors was impeccable and verifiable along with a much higher level of instruction and expertise thaN seen at the Victor school. The only thing that was impressive was the training area at the Victor school. Though Mr. Vacarro claims to be a master in the martial arts there is no evidence of this when I think of the numerous masters I met and viewed during my Karate and Judo experience. Perhaps age has caught up with him. Articles are posted by the Ravalli Republic with some FACTS that are incorrect, but it is known that the quality of journalism is poor. Reviews by newcomers to the martial arts are rarely accurate since they rarely have the background, experience, lack of homework before enrolling,etc. required to give an accurate review of a martial arts school. Discussions with other high ranked martial artists in Montana tell me that Mr. Vacarro is not a 7th Dan Black Belt. Background was good in Tae Kwon Do but at a much lower level, limited training with Remy Presas in Arnis, and other scattered limited experience. They did say he is great about talking about skills ad nauseum. Other than talk, photos and newspaper clippings not much in credentials is presented. .

They teach you self-defense in almost every way possible

Immediate one on one instruction. Small Class size. Great personable instructors. Good with kids and adults.