About Us
Special Online Offer
2 Weeks FREE!
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!
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
Allison Lewis, MD and Parent
Mercer Island Martial Arts has been the single best activity that my kids have done. This school goes way beyond just teaching martial arts. They have that rare gift of being able to mix teaching and discipline with fun. The kids love them, respect them and learn from them. I have two very different children that have benefited in very different ways from this school. My daughter found a sense of place and community here. She developed respect and had another set of adults steering her in a constructive direction. She developed relationships with older students at the school who have helped her learn to stand up against peer pressure and have guided her to being a better student and making better choices. She has learned the responsibility of teaching the younger children and helping them with their challenges. She is eager to mentor the younger students because she values the experience that she had. My son has gained self confidence. He is an easy-going boy that would sometimes be taken advantage of & pushed around. Now he has the confidence to stand his ground and know that he can take care of himself, and, perhaps more importantly, he knows that he can walk away. He has learned about responsibility as well. He has gained leadership skills from teaching roles that he had previously have avoided. I am grateful for the work that Mercer Island Martial Arts has done. They have helped my children develop in very positive ways. These two, and the school that they run, are a tremendous asset to the community.
Damian Neuner
I have been going here since the 6th grade and it has made such an impact on my life. I have not only improved my physical skills but also my confidence and leadership skills. I have made so many close friends through my lessons here. And to say the instructors are an inspiration to me would be an understatement.
Michael R. Loken, PHD
Mercer Island Martial Arts is far and beyond the best. Their recognition as "Heroes of Mercer Island" speak to their commitment to the community. Their outreach programs teaching children how to deal with bullies is an example of other means to avoid physical and emotional conflict. Their integration of physical and developmental discipline is unsurpassed.