Business Details
31 Years
experience
Empowering Youth Through Martial Arts Training
Family Martial Arts Academy has been dedicated to empowering children and adults through martial arts training since 1995. Our programs emphasize building confidence, discipline, and life skills in a supportive environment tailored to each student's developmental stage. With a focus on individual attention, we teach practical self-defense techniques while fostering respect, perseverance, and physical fitness.Our instructors, including Chief Instructor Rick DeMile, bring decades of experience and a passion for helping students achieve personal growth. Testimonials highlight our ability to transform children's behavior, improve focus, and create a positive community impact. We serve families in Bainbridge Island and surrounding areas with structured classes for ages 4-14 and adult kickboxing sessions.
Services
Kids Martial Arts
Teen Programs
Adult Kickboxing
Birthday Parties
Character Development
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of experience in youth martial arts instruction
- Our curriculum combines physical training with character development
- Instructors provide individualized attention in every class
- Proven track record of improving children's focus and behavior
- Safe, supportive environment with structured age-appropriate programs
What people say
Amazing coach
Positive experience
Life skills development
Welcoming environment
Improved confidence
Services
Kids Martial Arts
Structured martial arts classes for children aged 4-14 that develop physical coordination, focus, and discipline. Our curriculum teaches respect, perseverance, and self-defense skills while making learning fun through age-appropriate activities. Students gain confidence through goal-oriented belt progression systems that reward consistent effort and personal growth.
Adult Kickboxing
High-energy kickboxing workouts for adults that improve cardiovascular health, strength, and stress relief. These sessions combine martial arts techniques with fitness training in a motivating environment where participants build self-confidence while achieving their wellness goals through practical, engaging workouts.
Character Development
Integrated character education program teaching respect, self-control, and perseverance through martial arts practice. Students learn to apply discipline and ethical values to daily life situations, developing leadership qualities and positive social behaviors that extend beyond the dojo into school and home environments.
Birthday Parties
Themed martial arts birthday celebrations combining physical activity with fun games and instruction. Parties include structured martial arts demonstrations, interactive games, and age-appropriate training activities that create memorable experiences while introducing guests to core martial arts principles in an engaging format.
Teen Programs
Specialized martial arts curriculum for teens focusing on judgment development, goal setting, and respectful behavior. These classes address adolescent challenges through structured training that builds confidence, physical fitness, and decision-making skills while promoting healthy lifestyle choices and positive peer interactions.
People
Rick DeMile
Chief Instructor
With over 25 years of martial arts instruction experience, Rick DeMile founded Family Martial Arts Academy in 1995. A black belt under James W. DeMile and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, he specializes in youth development through martial arts, emphasizing character building and life skills.
Questions
How does martial arts help children with emotional control?
Our structured classes teach emotional regulation through repetitive movements and goal-oriented progression, helping children develop self-awareness and impulse control.
Can martial arts improve academic performance?
Yes, our program enhances focus and discipline that translates to better classroom behavior and improved academic engagement through structured attention exercises.
How do you handle different skill levels in classes?
Instructors provide individualized attention while using tiered instruction methods that accommodate varying abilities within our structured curriculum framework.
What makes your program different from other martial arts schools?
We uniquely combine technical martial arts training with explicit character development lessons and maintain smaller class sizes for personalized instruction.
How do you measure student progress?
Progress is tracked through belt ranking systems combined with behavioral assessments focusing on character traits like respect and perseverance.
Do you offer trial classes for new students?
We provide introductory offers allowing families to experience our program before committing to regular enrollment.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Jason Chabot
Jul 04, 2021
Report
You would be doing your child your family and your community a disservice if you didnt enroll them in this family martial arts program.
Overnight you will see a transformation, whereas, your children will ask to do their chores, will shout back yes sir or yes maam. They will learn discipline and pride through excellence and overall develop the confidence and responsibility to carry them into the young adulthood. From the genesis of our relationship with Sifu Rick, we have seen nothing but great results in our children. The kind they cant get from going to school. Sifu Rick
Overnight you will see a transformation, whereas, your children will ask to do their chores, will shout back yes sir or yes maam. They will learn discipline and pride through excellence and overall develop the confidence and responsibility to carry them into the young adulthood. From the genesis of our relationship with Sifu Rick, we have seen nothing but great results in our children. The kind they cant get from going to school. Sifu Rick
Jenk P.
Jun 30, 2021
Report
Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality
My child has been with Family Martial Arts Academy for 6 years and because of the dedication of the teachers, survived the Covid-19 shut down, and is determined to reach their black belt. Thank you Family Martial Arts!
My child has been with Family Martial Arts Academy for 6 years and because of the dedication of the teachers, survived the Covid-19 shut down, and is determined to reach their black belt. Thank you Family Martial Arts!
Megan Dugan
Jun 27, 2021
Report
At this dojo they build leaders.. not followers. My two kids, ages 10 and 7, can't be at the dojo enough. My 10 year old has been training with them for about 7 years now... and has learned a foundation that they rarely teach in school. He has become more focused, built in strength and stamina. He has shown pride in mastering skills that previously seemed difficult to him. I've seen his self-confidence soar and his physical strength increase over these many years, and his stripes on his belt, is immeasurable. All of this I can only attribute to Sifu Rick, as I cant say enough about his classes
Kasey L.
Jun 23, 2021
Report
This is a great place for kids to learn karate. My 8 year old son is a student. I wasn't sure if karate was something he'd stick with because he's not very into group activities. He loves this class and can't wait to go every time. I think this is because of the high level teaching by Sifu Rick. He's the best mix of kindness, discipline, fun, and structure. We couldn't be happier with what we're seeing at home with our son. He is so motivated by karate and even practices in his free time, wanting to improve.
Salal
Jun 13, 2021
Report
My two kids have been taught mixed martial arts by Sifu Rick for about 10 years now. The transformation of both of them has been phenomenal. My daughter has become someone who has the confidence to stare down a bully at work, firmly but respectfully state her position, and calmly and gracefully bring someone to the floor if necessary. She is poised, confident, polite, and brave. This is all due to Sifu Rick and his staff. My son has become a respectful tower of power, harnessing his will to respect legitimate authority and gain the knowledge he needs to defend himself well, while learning to be
