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. Masters Strongheart and Wells 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 Masters Strongheart and Wells have 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.

Pros: Develops the whole child

Cons: None

Posted 10/14/09

Master Wells & Strongheart reinforce in their dojo all life lessons that parents want to instill in their children and they do it in a way that the kids don't even realize they are learning.
When our child is in a situation outside martial arts she stands out with her good behavior, confidence, patience and ability to think situations through. The skills learned in the dojo are brought along with her every where she goes and often rub off on the kids she associates with.
What a great beginning for a bright future. Thank you MIMA!!

Pros: reinforces respect, confidence, hard work

Cons: our child has a hard time understanding bad kids

Posted 09/28/09

Our 5 yr. child has attended the Mercer Island Martial Arts for 2 years now and it is one of the best things we have done with her. The self discipline she learned in class carries over into our everyday lives. We can go anywhere have no concerns about her acting up. Her ability to focus on a goal is pretty impressive. I wish I knew this stuff when I was 5. The best part is she has a sense of self-confidence that can only be earned through honest accomplishment.

Masters Strongheart & Wells are both incredibly gifted instructors who take the time known each student individually and adapt their teaching techniques to the individuals' needs. It is a not a 'one size fits all program'.

The most impressive thing is the students themselves. In a time when you here about juveniles running a muck in society it is nice to see kids who are hard working, smart, friendly, respectful to everybody, and just plain level headed. Kinda gives me hope for the world.

Pros: The Instructors, nice facilities, great location

Posted 09/24/09

My family and I immigrated to the states when I was five years old. My first day of elementary school, I witnessed a demonstration. Upon my arrival home, I announce to my parents that I?m going to be a black belt.

My parents then sought out the best school they could find. I?m now in my late twenties and I have my second degree black belt. Plus, I?m working on getting my third degree. So why wouldn?t I recommend the best school out there for martial arts training.

Master Wells and Master Strongheart are out of this world, they teach with their mind, heart and soul. I?m so proud to be a part of this wonderful school. It has taught me to be a respectful, compassionate, well rounded individual which has taught me leadership skills that I have been able to take out into the world. Anyone that doesn?t attend Mercer Island Martial Arts is missing out on such an incredible expierence.

Posted 09/23/09

The Mercer Island Martial Arts staff are friendly, respectful, compassionate, and dedicated. They have built an amazing, well-rounded program that succeeds in creating well-rounded individuals. I highly recommend this program for people of all ages.

Individually-paced structured physical training paired with a consistent positive mental approach builds healthy bodies, self-confidence, the power of respect, and focus.

The benefits of the program for my children (11 and 13) are evident in the home, at school, and in their social lives. In the elementary years they learned confidence and focus. Now in the frenetic middle school years, they are building on those basics with a focus on responsibility, respect for self, for others, and for community. All of this while continuing to expand their physical capabilities.

But this isn't a program just for kids. Never having had martial arts training before, I started the program out-of-shape and 50. The instructors helped me along at a comfortable pace, knowing just how and when to challenge me to the next level. In under two years, I regained a level of physical well-being that I honestly thought, at my age, was impossible. I too saw the positive effects of the physical and mental training at home and work.

Mercer Island is fortunate to have this program available to us. Thank you Mercer Island Martial Arts!

Pros: Individualized Program in Affirming Group Environment

Cons: Closed on weekends

Posted 09/19/09

My wife and I have been coming for five years now and enjoy this school so much. I got my black belt this last February. You have to earn a blasck belt here, they don't just give them away.
The instructors here are very good, I have been to other schools and these instructors here do it the right way.
I make the drive from Lynnwood to Mercer Island Twice a week to study. I am going for my second degree and I know that they will get me there.
I can't say enough good about this school. They arew the best. Cho Gyo Nihm Sams

Pros: Quality instruction, good people, big dojang floor.

Cons: I just can't make it to class as much as I would like.

Posted 09/16/09

My husband and I have been involved with this program almost 5 years. It has been a great life experience! They( Master Strongheart and Master Wells) are awesome leaders. They care for their students and want them to succeed to the fullest. They are hell bound on making you do your personal best. Physically and Mentally. Trust me when I say 'I know where my physical boundaries are.. I challenge anyone to take a class and not feel you've spent your time wisely......
About 4 years into my training here I discovered I had cancer. Yeah, the big C... I was able to take the news rather well. It puzzled me a little..... then I thought about how I handled looking at the situation. I saw the obstacle (cancer) knew I had to prepare to deal with the surgery, radiation and scars. Then found my direction(doctors) and support (family and friends) I knew my physical and mental strength could handle this...It all didn't seem so bad in this way of looking at what was happening to me. They taught me to look at challenges (belt test) this way.
I learned a lot about my self and what I'm capable of through what I have learned in the last 4 years at Mercer Island Martial Arts..... I credit Master Wells and Master Strongheart for putting together a program that helps in more ways than they themselves even know....They do it so effortlessly. They are Genuine in their teaching. I could go on and on about how I love my school... I would rather say come and see for yourself... see you there!!!!

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Pros: fitness, fun and making friends

Posted 09/14/09

My son used to have difficulties making friends, participating in anything competitive and would not do anything sports related what-so-ever. About a year ago I convinced him to try out Mercer Island Martial Arts and he took to it instantly. Much of that is owed to Master Strongheart and Master Wells and their backgrounds in psychology. They seem to push the kids and nurture the kids in just the right balance. They, and their incredible staff, patiently teach the kids, provide them with personal goals, encourage sportsmanship, have open discussions regarding topical issues such as bullying, and make their dojang feel like a comfortable home away from home for the kids. (In fact, some kids take the school bus there, stay for several classes and whine when their parents come to pick them up at 6 or 7 pm!) You wouldn't believe the changes my son's made in a year! He has advanced 4 belt levels and is now in their leadership program, heading toward his black belt. He has learned having fun along the way is more important that winning, he's learned how to make new friends and best of all, his confidence is soaring. Sure, there are a lot of choices out there for martial arts, but you can't beat the program Master Strongheart and Master Wells have put together.

Pros: Patience, Careful Instruction, Confidence Building

Posted 09/07/09