Empowering Lives Through Martial Arts Since 1960
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My daughter Jayda has been at Yi’s Martial Arts for 2 years and has grown immensely in that time frame. She went from being short tempered to having a lot of self control. She strives to be more...
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My son started at Yi's about 5 weeks ago and what a transformation! He is more confident and determined. He went from not trying if it was too hard to putting so much effort into things that are diffi...
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The coed classes are perfect for boy girl twins or children close in age and it's always after work hours. Master Chris the lead instructor is fantastic, and works with all the kids, including those t...
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I will always recommend this establishment to all my friends and family. My son started almost a year ago and the instruction he receives is top tier. The instructors truly do care and work with you/y...
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I'm so glad we found Yi's Martial Arts! Master Chris is always hands on throughout his classes and gives frequent POSITIVE corrections. My son has really thrived here. He loves going to class and even...
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I attended the Women's Self-Defense class last week with my granddaughter Bella. Master Chris is serious about teaching realistic self-defense. It was a great group of women willing to accommodate a 7...
Read MoreWelcome to Yi’s Martial Arts Fitness Academy, the oldest and most established martial arts school in the Metro East area. We blend the timeless value of traditional martial arts with modern training methods to deliver results that matter in today's world.
We believe martial arts is more than just kicks and punches—it’s a pathway to confidence, focus, and lifelong growth. Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, our programs are designed to challenge, inspire, and empower every student.
Many people think you need to be in shape before starting martial arts—but that's a common misconception! Our programs are designed to help you GET in shape, not require you to already be there. Every exercise is modified to fit the individual, so you can start wherever you are and progress at your own pace.
Our expert instructors take the time to understand your goals and guide you through a supportive, engaging environment. From martial arts, MMA, and BJJ to fitness kickboxing, group training, and self-defense, we offer programs that build strength, discipline, and resilience—both on and off the mat.
Discover how Yi’s Martial Arts Fitness Academy can help you or your child unlock potential, gain confidence, and have fun along the way. Join our community in Wood River, Cottage Hills, Alton, Godfrey, or Edwardsville and experience the difference of training with a team dedicated to your success.
Your journey starts here — come see what you can achieve!
Build poise, structure, and focus with Kids Martial Arts in Alton, Wood River, and Godfrey. Fun, safe training that helps kids grow on and off the mat.
Give your child the edge with Junior MMA in Wood River, East Alton, and Cottage Hills. High-energy classes that teach discipline, fitness, and real martial arts skills for kids ages 8-15. No couch potatoes here!
Train smarter with Teen & Adult Martial Arts in Alton, Edwardsville, and Godfrey. Build strength, fitness, and real self-defense skills in every class.
Level up with Combat Taekwondo in Wood River, Cottage Hills, and Alton. Functional striking, conditioning, and confidence-building for all experience levels.
Master Filipino Martial Arts including Eskrima, Jeet Kune Do & knife defense at Yi's Martial Arts Fitness Academy serving Alton & Wood River.
Take on No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Edwardsville, Godfrey, and Wood River. Learn ground control, submissions, and grappling while building strength and resilience.
Yi's Martial Arts Fitness Academy offers adaptive martial arts classes for students with special needs & disabilities near Alton & Wood River.
Reach your fitness goals faster with Personal Training in Alton, East Alton, and Edwardsville. Customized workouts, accountability, and results-driven coaching.
Stay safe with Self-Defense training in Wood River, Godfrey, and Cottage Hills. Learn 24 real-world techniques to build awareness, confidence, and protection skills.
Make it unforgettable with Martial Arts Birthday Parties in Alton, Wood River, and East Alton. Fun, active celebrations with games, training, and lasting memories.
Yi's Martial Arts Fitness Academy is Alton's premier martial arts school, built on a foundation of experience, quality, and real-world results.
Choosing a martial arts school is an important decision—it's like choosing a Doctor or Lawyer! Don't settle for the cheapest or one where the instructor just teaches as a hobby.
Your instructor should continually train and update their knowledge every year to stay on the cutting edge of teaching and safety.
Every year our instructors at Yi's Martial Arts continually learn from other Instructors, Masters, and Grandmasters to update our teaching, curriculum, and rank advancement requirements. We all started as White Belts. We understand what it feels like to join and focus on our philosophy of Martial Arts and its PHILOSOPHY for a well-rounded experience.The training should focus on REAL-WORLD scenarios and include effective ground defense, not just pre-arranged moves.
Our training is extensively rooted in REAL-WORLD combat arts (Krav Maga, Eskrima, BJJ, JKD) ensuring you're capable of handling yourself in diverse, high-pressure situations.
If a school practices NON-CONTACT SPARRING with or without safety gear, it’s a major red flag—STAY AWAY! Sparring should be done in a safe, controlled manner to truly improve timing, reaction, and balance.
At Yi's, we practice LIVE SPARRING in a safe, controlled manner, progressing from light contact to harder contact only as the student desires. Our students compete successfully in local, national, and regional tournaments.
A great school teaches beyond just kicking and punching, focusing on LIFE SKILLS, Character Development, Goal Setting, and Sportsmanship as a core part of the curriculum.
Our Student and Junior Creeds reinforce essential life skills like COURTESY, MANNERS, SPORTSMANSHIP, and DISCIPLINE—we teach them more than just martial arts!
Look for a school with a proven track record and deep experience in the martial arts community.
Our instructors at Yi's Martial Arts have over 90 years of combined experience in the Alton Riverbend Area. Our Master Instructor is one of the area's HIGHEST RANKING GRANDMASTERS overseeing every student's progress.
My daughter Jayda has been at Yi’s Martial Arts for 2 years and has grown immensely in that time frame. She went from being short tempered to having a lot of self control. She strives to be more organized in her personal life. She is a lot more disciplined, and understands that there are always consequences for her actions, whether they are good or bad. I highly recommend. Yi’s Martial Arts whether you are needing help with self-control, discipline, self-defense, or even fitness.
My son started at Yi's about 5 weeks ago and what a transformation! He is more confident and determined. He went from not trying if it was too hard to putting so much effort into things that are difficult for him that he wants to do. The instructor is firm and caring and really inspires the kids to work hard! I would recommend this place to anyone who is interested in doing martial arts.
The coed classes are perfect for boy girl twins or children close in age and it's always after work hours. Master Chris the lead instructor is fantastic, and works with all the kids, including those that might have some kind of a attention challenge.
