In the six years I’ve trained here at Mercer Island Martial Arts, going from my last year of elementary school, through middle school, and into greater half of high school, I have always found that the skills taught in the dojang are those needed to succeed academically. One of the changes in perspective I’ve found most useful is focusing on learning new ideas and techniques instead of worrying about how they will be tested. On the floor at class we devote time to drilling the forms and kicks, perfecting every detail, so when the time comes to demonstrate the movements come naturally. Similarly, I've found it's necessary to put in the focus needed to study, reviewing simple flashcards and running through practice calculus problems until they are second nature. Walking into class one the day of a math test, I then have the confidence to not stress out even if problems look unfamiliar. With a strong base of skills, working through a challenge is fun instead of frustrating. Going for long term understanding of how each piece works and how every piece fits together is a study style that sounds intuitive, but can feel draining- it’s from my time at the dojang I’ve been able to see firsthand that it pays off, and with enough time building up foundation anything, even implicit differentiation, can be learned.

My children started training with Mercer Island Martial Arts several months and it has been a very positive experience for them. Master Krista Wells and her team of black belt instructors excel at teaching young children in a fun and engaging way. They are exceptionally great at teaching children. They have a great program that teaches students not only about martial arts, but also about kindness, self-discipline, and following instructions. Watching some of the older students who have trained with Mercer Island Martial Arts for many years shows that martial arts training can help young adults feel confident in who they are and feel more self-assured as they navigate middle school and high school. I highly recommend Mercer Island Martial Arts.

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.

If you aren't sure what sport is a good fit for your child, I can't recommend Mercer Island Martial Arts enough. The staff truly cares about each child that enters their doors, tailoring lessons to meet the potential of each student while recognizing the diversity in abilities among the kids. The benefits of their programs carry through at home and in school. I especially want to recommend Mercer Island Martial Arts to those parents who have kids with ADHD or other attention challenges as the structure of the program and built in mindfulness training is amazing

My family signed up for the family classes, as my daughter wanted to get some solid self-defense training to build confidence and help prepare for going off to college. I never imagined how much I’d get from joining her in this adventure, but it’s been amazing watching her learn all while learning so much myself. I can’t say enough about Master Wells and her staff, either. They CARE about each student, and are so encouraging! Just check it out… you won’t regret it!

This is such an incredible place! My ten year-old son has been coming here for over four years, and in that time he has absolutely flourished. Not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally as well. They somehow manage to teach strength, compassion, and grit, all while having fun. I can not recommend them enough!

Master Wells has created a wonderful environment for students of all ages to learn martial arts! The Mercer Island community is blessed by her dedication and wealth of knowledge and experience. Highly recommend signing up for classes- no matter your age!

Fantastic, place and highly skilled staff that keep the kiddo engaged for years in the program. Highly recommended!

We originally joined to learn self-defense. Little did I appreciate how much our relationship with Mercer Island Martial Arts would deepen (even during the pandemic) and the long lasting positive impact it would have on our children. As the parent of a 2e child, I am always looking for resources and as such often times now find myself in 'the giving role' of helping other parents find resources to support their family and their children. I did not expect Mercer Island Martial Arts to become one of those rare cornerstone assets. Self-defense was just the start of learnings though Mercer Island Martial Arts. Martial arts focus on the body *and the mind*. Mercer Island Martial Arts helps children build self-respect, self-control, and focus by setting goals, demonstrating perseverance, while giving these skills both physical and mental form. This is a family business in every sense of the word and the work they do is invaluable to our community. I hope that you and your family find that value here as well.

I am delighted to share my overwhelmingly positive experience and review of the Mercer Island martial arts class my son attends. As a parent, I believe it is crucial to provide our children with opportunities for personal growth and development, and this martial arts program has proven to be an exceptional avenue for exactly that. From the very beginning, I was impressed by the professionalism and passion exhibited by Master Wills and Graham. They possess extensive knowledge and expertise in their respective disciplines, creating an environment conducive to learning and personal development. Their dedication to the students is evident in their approach, as they patiently guide each child through the techniques and principles of martial arts.

I have been attending Adult & family classes at Mercer Island Martial Arts for close to 3 years now. I love their program and classes. All the instructors are experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. In addition to emphasizing on conditioning your body and martial art techniques, the programs also emphasize importance of discipline, respect and on mental awareness.

My kids have been going here for years and both absolutely love it! Graham is a super star instructor who really knows how to teach kids. Master Wells has been running this gem of a community organization for what’s now 2 generations for some families…. And I can understand the longevity! Discipline, commitment, effort, flexibility, academics all rolled into one convenient and flexible after school activity! (They also have camps but they fill up fast and we have yet do to them). Cannot recommend highly enough.