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YI'S Martial Arts Fitness Academy
4.6 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Wood River, Illinois
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Training center for men, women, and children offering classes in martial arts, kickboxing, and self-defense.
Plan your first class
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule altonmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 618-251-5425
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30–8:15 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:15 pm |
| Friday | 4:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 12–1 pm |
The classes they run
“Just started at the end of the year of 2025 and im already seeing good results in both my kids with learning to focus to learning new language in counting.”
“Yi’s Martial Arts whether you are needing help with self-control, discipline, self-defense, or even fitness.”
Other martial arts here
“Yi’s Martial Arts whether you are needing help with self-control, discipline, self-defense, or even fitness.”
What students say
“Master Chris is amazing with the kids— patient, encouraging, and great at teaching discipline and respect in a fun way.”
“This is an excellent dojo and the teachers are very knowledgeable, kind and work very well with beginners of all ages.”
“Our family is so glad that we picked Master Chris to teach our boys martial arts.”
“Just started at the end of the year of 2025 and im already seeing good results in both my kids with learning to focus to learning new language in counting.”
“Master Chris is amazing with the kids— patient, encouraging, and great at teaching discipline and respect in a fun way.”
“Just started at the end of the year of 2025 and im already seeing good results in both my kids with learning to focus to learning new language in counting.”
From the reviews
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.
My son loves his class! Master Chris is amazing with the kids— patient, encouraging, and great at teaching discipline and respect in a fun way. I’ve noticed a positive change in his confidence since he started. He always looks forward to hid class, and as a parent, it’s so rewarding to see him proud of his progress.
Three grandkids in his studio. Great instructor. The instructors have the kids follow the Martial Art rules which in turn allows the kids to acknowledge rules as a part of life. They have a lot of fun activities also.
Martial Arts with Master Chris has really given my oldest son a lot. He's developed confidence, it's helped with his focus, and it gives him something to practice and memorize. What you might not be ready for: your child will have to actually focus and give Master Chris their undivided attention.
New to taekwondo? Start at YI'S Martial Arts Fitness Academy
YI'S Martial Arts Fitness Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at YI'S Martial Arts Fitness Academy
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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