Welcome
kick. breathe. smile.
Martial arts help develop every practitioner’s self-defense, self-esteem, discipline, and instills respect for others. The result of martial arts training is natural, effortless action, and the confidence, humility, openness and peace only possible through perfect unity of mind and body.
Martial arts is not only about physically training the body, but it is also about training the mind and spirit. There is a joy in training together, supporting each other, that bolsters the ability of each individual student.
IGNITE THE POWER INSIDE
A 1985 study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibili-
ty, and a higher sense of self-esteem.
You simply could not ask for better teachers!
WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTORS
Master Yu
Taekwondo Instructor
Master Yu served in the Republic of Korea Special Forces as a close combat specialist. He has been the Business Manager / Head Master at 4 Taekwondo schools and has over 10 years of teaching experience. His goal is to help children find their own passion for practicing Taekwondo through encouragement and self-discipline! Our little members feel all the self-confidence and joy of breaking their first board with Master Yu’s encouragement, and then grow and progress with his dedicated support & coaching to our higher levels!
Instructor Jose
Taekwondo Instructor
Instructor Jose has dedicated his life to Martial Arts! He loves nothing more than students hitting their goals and breaking the barriers to become the best version of themselves. Jose reached classes for all ages including private lessons and Kickboxing classes for adults. No matter the age of his students, Jose balances challenge with compassion as he pushes them to reach the next level.
Merging Martial Arts
Inika Mehta – MAFS Partner
Merging Martial Arts is a student-led organization based in the New York/New Jersey area. Our mission is to provide access to new extracurricular activities to students with special needs. Many students with disabilities do not have access to engage in physical education activities and thus, by providing taekwondo lessons we aim to teach these students the basics of self-defense, patience, all while promoting their physical and mental health. Connect Directly with Inika Mehta here: mergingmartialaerts@gmail.com
Ms. Sophie
Playroom Program Manager
Sophie is a New York City based actress/singer with a passion for sharing the joy of the world with little ones. Building on her years of nannying and childcare experience, Sophie developed the Playroom programming at MAFS including the music classes and musical theatre camps. When Sophie isn’t leading the Playroom team she performs in shows across the country as well as here in NYC.
Mr. Kenny
Tumbling & Hip Hop Teacher
Kenny is a New York native that has been dancing, singing, acting, for many years. He is a professional hip hop & bboy dancer with a passion for sharing the joy of movement with kids, babies, and toddlers alike. Kenny loves working with little ones as he finds that working with young minds fuels his creativity in his own artistry. Bringing joy to our community here at MAFS is his main goal as a teacher.
Miss Alex
Playroom Teacher
Alex is a NYC based performer with a passion for arts education. She has a BFA in musical theatre and has studied many different styles of music, acting, and dance. Alex loves spreading joy through music and hopes to continue teaching and encouraging kids here at MAFS. Alex has spent years caring for, inspiring, and entertaining children as a nanny, a dance teacher, and a theatre performer. She loves sharing her joy for life and her appreciation for music with babies, children, and even grown ups too! Join Alex in our Pre-Ballet class and baby music classes!
Sandra Herrera Sanchez
Our Founder
Our founder, Sandra Herrera Sanchez, is a mother of two young martial artists-in-training and also trains in kickboxing herself.
After three years of trying to organize martial arts classes for her children, her husband, and herself across multiple studios and programs, Sandra decided that there needed to be a centralized solution to offer martial arts and fitness to busy NYC families. After speaking with her son’s favorite instructors and other martial arts mothers, Martial Arts Family Studio was born.
Using her wide experience designing and leading community projects with children and teens with nonprofits both in Spain and USA, her background in Corporate Human Resources and years of kickboxing training, Sandra worked with other mothers to design a martial arts studio to address the needs of the family as a whole. Martial Arts Family Studio seeks to offer a wellness solution with an emphasis on martial arts training and fitness to improve not only the body, but the mind and the spirit as well.
Sandra was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who for her impeccable leadership at MAFS. Click here to read more!
