Legacy American Martial Arts

Our friends had their daughters taking classes from Ms. Bushey and Mr. Smail when they first opened and we  went to watch the girls one night.  Watching how Ms. Bushey and Mr. Smail worked with the kids with patience and a level of discipline that the kids responded to with enthusiasm and then how they discussed safety, respect and responsibility, we decided to sign our three boys up.

Our boys, ages 5, 8, and 10, are very active and can be a handful.  Mr. Smail and Ms. Bushey quickly found ways to get the boys focus on their lessons then balanced it with fun games that used their new skills. The way Mr. Smail and Ms. Bushey teach draws the kids into wanting to learn and enjoying class.  Not only are there lessons in Tae Kwon Do but in how to be safe and respectful.  They have learned the how to respond to strangers when approached and how to get away from a bad situation.  Also there is an emphasis on respecting  others and dealing with bullying as well as not being bullies. They have what we have found to be the best balance of exercise, teaching respect and integrity with fun and enjoyment that the boys look forward to each class and are very proud of their accomplishments as they receive their next belt.

I (the father) have taken several styles of martial arts and had several instructors from 3rd degree to 6th degree Black belts.  Mr. Smail and Ms. Bushey are two of the best instructors I have had the pleasure of learning under.  They do not demand respect they have more than earned respect from myself and the adult class.  Their dedication and respect to the arts is relevant in their instruction and their method to adjust for each students skills and abilities reflects their skills as instructors.

The McNair Family

When my 7-year-old son came home from school saying he wanted to take Tae Kwon Do I wasn’t sure what to think. Having never taken martial arts training I needed to do a little research. So I visited almost a dozen schools to observe the training and talk to the instructors. I learned that there are probably as many ways to teach martial arts, as there are schools.

One thing that really separates American Legacy Martial Arts from the rest, is how well Ms. Bushey and Mr. Smail know their students. In regards to their student’s personality and skill level they just seem to know where everyone is at and how to connect with them. A quick story on that point. My son was having a hard time with sit-ups when he first started. I know this made him feel uncomfortable and out of place. One day he suddenly was able to do them much better. I could tell he was delighted and a little surprised at this (of course as his father I noticed the improvement). What’s remarkable though is that with all the students and all the different skills that are performed in each class Mr. Smail noticed this and commented on the improvement as he walked by my son. No big ceremony, just a simple recognition of something that was surely important to a young student. I think at that moment my son learned more about perseverance and it’s rewards than I could have hoped for in a years worth of training, plus he felt 10’ tall. That kind of experience is just not possible unless a teacher takes a personal interest in their students and commits to helping that student with their own personal journey.

My son has been in many different sports and activities and I’ve watched them all. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ms. Bushey and Mr. Smail have the ability to get the best out of kids that is second to none. The Tae Kwon Doe training is awesome, the life training is priceless! I feel very fortunate that my son has the chance to train with Ms. Bushey and Mr. Smail.