Villari's Self Defense Centers

[octopic]

yeah you have to buy all martial arts supplys from bushido gi's belts , patchs, shirts ext.. I am pretty sure mattera isnt hurting for money considering he drives a lamborghini. I heard a lot matteras schools pay the instructors 1099s is this true? I thought all schools have set hours?

Just because someone fits the legal definition of an employee and not a contractor doesn't mean that they get treated as an employee. I don't know if this is done at USSD studios or not, but my guess is that it is somewhat common at many martial arts schools around the country (and many other small businesses) to try and treat employees as contractors. Of course, if this is a systemic thing, an org that encouraged this could find themselves facing a really nasty class action from all of the instructors who didn't get the proper treatment under the law. My guess would be that if it is happening that the people who are being treated improperly don't know their rights or are too scared to say anything.

[Ryuujinblade]

Ok here I go.....bear with me please its been a long day.

Alright, on the terms of pricing. Yes, there are 3 levels of programs at villari's, basic, black belt training, and leadership. This is true for everyone ages 4 to however old you want to start, well say 40's. Basic program, wich is a 30 minute (out of an hour) group class, 2 days a week, is 125$. You could upgrade to Black Belt Training which is a 45 minute( out of an hour) and get a POINT sparring (yeah, it sucks) session for 145$ (i believe). and for 175$ a month you get the full hour group class, 3 days a week, and in that last 15 minutes, you go over more advanced techniques, and weapons.

Private lessions are i believe an additional 125$ on top of what you pay, and even then private lessons have become so popular, they almost rival a group class (at my studio, group classes = 24-30 people, privates anywhere from 5-10.....its rediculous)

Our school has been sadly commercialised. I have been at the same school for 12 years, it has been open for 14. In the beginning, it was all about the art, then slowly it decended into the financial portion of it once my sensei got married. Now the Vilarri's logo is on everything, the Gi's, the equipment, and even the flawless Bishudo shoes that you pay almost 70$ for (yeah, he HAS to make a profit *cough*), instead of having the company name on them, it says Villari's......

Ive been looking around the state for a new school to visit. If anyone knows of a school in southern massachusetts that is reputable for its teaching, or any one that teaches something unique (not Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, or Personal Best) please by any means get a hold of me. My AIM name is in my profile, as my email should be as well.

But back on track to the topic. There are are many fine Villari's schools in the country, as can be seen at the school only competitions that are held. and as stated in the beginning, the school is only as good as the teachers, and the teachers only as good as the sensei. Some excel at some points of kempo, others at other points.

In the end, at least give the school near you a shot if your looking for a school.......i may have said a lot of bad things about it, but the teachers are almost friendly, and the teachings are very helpful......its a defence art that Villari's teaches, not an agressive art.

But as asked before....if anyone could at least aid me in my help for finding a new school, i wish to broaden my horizons. Please contact me on AIM at ShikyoRyuujin, I love to chat. Thank you very much.

Ryuujinblade - Peace.

[KempoTiger]

Dude...that just made me sad...

I hate it when schools get commercialized. Truth be told I believe that's why my Master left Villari to train under Cerio and open his own branch of schools.

A year or so ago our school was heading down that watered down, pseudo-commericialized path that seemingly all schools with a chain of locations go down, but luckily the Chief Instructors didn't exactly go along with it. I like to pride myself knowing that my school has some of hardest contact (for the students that want it) and realistic practical teaching out of all of our locations.

If you were out here in NY, I'd tell ya to come by. We could always use another sparring/fight partner and a special guest Instructor

[Ryuujinblade]

Haha thanks for the offer, but I dont plan on going to NY anytime soon....

but I agree totally, my sensei tried to not go down that path, but the call of the almighty dollar beckened him....and he gave in...*sigh*

[tigerclaw2]

Alot of them do. Just look at ussd, they started with 50 schools in 1988 now they have around 130. freinds of mine have notice most of USSD's schools are run by 1st dans and red belt. not many high ranking instructors left villaris to go with mattera besides demasco who never got rank from mattera. I hear he trains with a shaolin monk in new york.

[Red J]

The funny thing about the Villari's schools is that they must be different. At the school that I train at all the students pay the same rate and all of the classes last an hour. Students pay $80.00 a month, which is about average for South Florida, can attend 3-4 classes a week, and if you take privates they are private. There are no contracts (which is a great advertising point) and no pressure. This is what attracted me and why I continue to train there.

For Ruujinblade, there is probably a Villari's or spin-off school close to you that is not so commercialized. Shop around, if you can't find SK in Mass, then you really can't find it anywhere. It's the capital! Good luck.

[KempoTiger]

The funny thing about the Villari's schools is that they must be different. At the school that I train at all the students pay the same rate and all of the classes last an hour. Students pay $80.00 a month, which is about average for South Florida, can attend 3-4 classes a week, and if you take privates they are private. There are no contracts (which is a great advertising point) and no pressure. This is what attracted me and why I continue to train there.

For Ruujinblade, there is probably a Villari's or spin-off school close to you that is not so commercialized. Shop around, if you can't find SK in Mass, then you really can't find it anywhere. It's the capital! Good luck.

Do you teach there?

[Red J]

I will help out if needed and teach the odd class if someone is out.

[octopic]

The funny thing about the Villari's schools is that they must be different.

In many ways the Villari's organization is more like a loose confederation. There's very little national control anymore. Most of the schools pretty much do what they want in terms of pricing and marketing. Obviously there are schools that works together in certain areas of the county, but even within one state, you can see great variations in the way the schools are run.

[tigerclaw2]

How are the florida schools doing? Does villari go around and check on his schools anymore?

does he do many seminars anymore? And are they open to the public?