About Us

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About Our Business

Welcome to Mercer Island Martial Arts located on Mercer Island just a short drive across the I-90 Bridge from either Bellevue or Seattle. Mercer Island Martial Arts has been serving Mercer Island and the greater Seattle area since 1997.

Referred to as “An Island Staple” we have been recognized for our work in self-defense, bully prevention, family, kids, teen martial arts classes, and community outreach.

We are the proud recipients of the “2022 Mercer Island PTA Council Community Partner Award”. We have also received the “Hometown Hero Award” from the City of Mercer Island. As well as, the “Readers Choice Award for Best Martial Arts School” from Patch Magazine.

Master Krista Wells a 5th Degree Master Instructor and Master MeLisa Strongheart a 7th Degree Master Instructor Co-Founded Mercer Island Martial Arts.

Mercer Island is a very unique community because it’s a small town that is in close proximity to two major cities. Master Wells wanted to serve this community because of her family ties to the Island and small town appeal allowed her to really focus in on being a community based organization.

Thank you for visiting our webpage. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

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Krista Wells

Instructor/Owner Krista Wells

Master Krista Wells is a 5th Degree Certified Master Instructor with the National Korean Martial Arts Association. She has been working as a self-defense instructor, educator with kids, youth, and adults for over 25 years. She has a background in psychology, recreation therapy, and nutrition and has evolved her practice as a fusion of training in self-defense for both the mind and the body.

Master Wells is passionate about the concept of mindfulness. She uses a holistic approach when it comes to teaching her instructors and students. The process is through an experiential learning milieu using positive reward systems, incorporating the principles of psychology, with a mixture of Korean Martial Arts.

Because of Master Wells’ unique background you won’t find anything like what you see at Mercer Island Martial Arts. Though years of teaching and training students she has honed in on these processes to make students a success regardless of what level age or ability.

Thank you for your interest in Mercer Island Martial Arts we look forward to teaching you! -Master Krista Wells

Why Choose Mercer Island Martial Arts?

World Class Program and Instruction

Most activities are focused only on the physical and don’t address the importance of our minds. They are often taught by volunteers or part-time staff. Mercer Island Martial Arts focuses on both physical and mental development. We are full time professional martial arts educators who are dedicated to the processes of teaching you and/or your child.

Mercer Island Martial Arts Instructors are hand selected by Master Wells for their abilities to mentor, coach, and to foster the exceptional. Our Instructors provide a supportive environment that allows individuals to progress at their own level and pace. During this process students learn important life skills such as respect, goal setting, confidence, self-defense, and physical conditioning.

It's easy and free to get started

Mercer Island Martial Arts offers a variety of curriculum that is catered specifically for age and ability. We offer elementary aged martial arts, pre-school aged martial arts, adult and teen martial arts classes, and family martial arts classes We offer a free trial and information package for you to come experience it for yourself. Meet our amazing instructors and staff who will teach you powerful skills that build more than just muscle.

Our Martial Arts Team Takes Great Pride In The Reviews We Receive

See What Our Community Members Say About Our Programs

Ena Wang

I've been coming here since I was little and continue to enjoy my training here! It's a great workout and everyone is very nice and friendly. Highly recommend it for anyone curious about martial arts!

Jen Mills, MD, Parent and Student

Both my son and I have been attending Mercer Island Martial Arts for 6.5 years! That alone tells you how valuable we believe this has been. My son has learned leadership skills, gained friends, and enjoyed valuable lessons about hard work, respect, and gratitude-ALL while having fun and getting great exercise. I have personally enjoyed being able to participate in such a wonderful experience along side him, and it has been great for me personally to also have a community of fantastic people with which to practice martial arts. They are truly talented at what they do. I highly recommend that you check it out.

Jennifer Muscatel

Sure there are a lot of places to learn and practice Martial Arts in the greater Seattle area, however none compare to Mercer Island Martial Arts. At Mercer Island Martial Arts it’s not just about athletics - they believe it also includes leadership, respect, responsibility, kindness to self, kindness to others, and much, much more. In addition, they encourage the practice of these skills outside the Do Jang, as well. Our son has a list of tasks to achieve at home in order to maintain his leadership status at Mercer Island Martial Arts which makes life for my husband and me so much easier! The expectations are challenging, but it all balanced with the warmth, love, caring and individualized support he needs to be successful. In fact, he has wanted to quit several times but the staff is able to uncover the root of his frustration and works to find ways to motivate him again to keep going. Suddenly he'll be asking to go a few hours a day instead of fighting to go at all. I would recommend Mercer Island Martial Arts a thousand times! It is the most positive place I could think of to send my son.