Washington Han Mu Do is a great place for kids and families. One of our children takes classes here and it is great to see how much he enjoys it. We appreciate the attitude it is instilling in him. Eric and the instructors here are not so worried about the students learning how to fight but are more interested in the students applying themselves, working hard, and being present. The fact that they are learning a martial art is almost a side-benefit. That is a great way to run a school like this and our son and the other students seem to agree judging by the smiles that we see on faces.

Washington Han Mu Do is is now part of our family. My child has been attending the school for the last 8 years. All the way from from white belt to Jr black belt. The school is amazing and the Eric is a wonderful teacher and mentor to my child. Not only have the instructors been great, but the people at the school are awesome too! We could not have asked for a better place and people to help teach our child respect, self discipline, and self defense. We are super happy to have Washington Han Mu Do to be part of our life.

The owners of Han Mu Do are amazing. We started here at the end of 2020 and have felt like family with everyone. The owners, instructors, junior black belts and assistants are so helpful with every kid of different skill levels. I know personally my daughter loves the extra help and one on one practice! She is now a Yellow belt and so proud of it!! I highly recommend this place over some of the others because of the interaction they give to each child it’s amazing to watch. Thank you Eric for having such a welcoming atmosphere! We will continue to go here as long as we possibly can. :)

I cant say enough about how wonderful Washington Han Mu Do has interacted with my 11 year old son Darin. Eric, Tyler, TJ and the whole team has shown a lot of attention to Darin as he is new to the world of martial arts. I especially like how Eric takes a systematic approach to learning which has helped Darin apply the proper technique from the start. Also, Eric shares the importance of focus, determination and self growth. Of all the martial art studios I researched in the area, Washington Han Mu Do is the very best. In support of my son, I too am taking lessons with excellent results. Thank you!!

Three weeks ago, my husband reached out to Washington Han Mu over the weekend for my 11 year old. Expecting a voicemail, Eric immediately answered the phone and provided all the details regarding their program. Both my husband and I were very impressed on how Eric emphasized working as a team with instructors and instructor aides to help students develop both mental and physical strengths. With the first lesson, my son mentioned how nice the teachers were and that he had a great time. Thanks Eric for providing such great service!!

I have gone to Han Mu Do for 6 years now and it has changed my life for the better. In those 6 years, I have gone from white belt to now being an instructor at Han Mu Do. I have not only gained experience in a martial art but also a place I can call home I am truly grateful for everything Han Mu Do has given me.

Five Stars!We highly recommend Washington Han Mu Do. Our family has attended classes at WA HMD for several years and the instructors are all excellent. Our youngest started out in the “Little Dragons” Class, her older sister started in the Kids’ Class. Having progressed and shared the trials and tribulations of training they have bonded closely with each other, as well as with their classmates, and have made wonderful friends along the way. As a couple, my wife and I attend the Adults’ Class. Martial Arts training at WA HMD is accessible to everyone and has been a great bonding experience, not only for our family, but for many others. We have witnessed a lot of personal growth in our children since they started Han Mu Do classes. (Self-discipline, showing personal initiative, goal-setting, and self-confidence just to name some of the areas that they have grown.) This school makes you feel welcome and treats you like family from the very first class. Eric VanderWaal, the Owner and Chief Instructor, and the other instructors all take the time to explain the various nuances of the techniques (and provide ample opportunity to practice your techniques in class) while observing and providing immediate feedback and coaching. Washington Han Mu Do has been an established martial arts fixture in Maple Valley and the surrounding community for over a decade and the school’s growth and success is a testament to the caliber of instructors and the learning environment that they have created at the School. They have established an outstanding reputation as a martial arts school in the region and it is closely linked with the World Han Mu Do Association Headquarters out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Washington Han Mu Do has created a learning environment conducive to success and has produced numerous Black Belts and Junior Black Belts. If you are looking for a martial arts school for yourself or your children, then Washington Han Mu Do is one of the best, if not the best school in the area to start your martial arts journey!

I have to admit, I am a little biased when it comes to WHMD. I have been going here for 10 years and Ive loved every second of it. The family atmosphere is amazing, truly feels like a second home to me. I love the WHMD family so much!

Korean martial art emphasizing balance. Great school and great instructors. Classes for the whole family and any skill level. Check it out if you’re in Maple Valley or the surrounding area.

Our grandson is in the Little Dragons class and he loves it! Eric has a great team that works so well with the kids..

Our 3 boys have been doing martial arts here for over 6 years. The instructors are truly amazing! They are kind, patient and professional. They strive to demonstrate respect and kindness for others while teaching the art and skills of Hanmudo. This practice will carry our boys far beyond their years here at the dojang. We have one Junior Black Belt, one 1st degree brown belt and one 2nd degree red belt. They all intend to achieve their First Dan Adult Black Belt before graduating high school. Doing Hanmudo has helped to shape them into amazing young men. It is not always easy, in fact, it is hard at times, mentally. As with most things in life, if parts are not hard, if you dont struggle and persevere, its not worth doing. I could not imagine their lives without Hanmudo. Come try out a class sometime!

Both my children go here. Love everything about them going here. The teachers are great and family people. My kids are 5 and 7. They learn discipline, responsibility, organization, and most importantly fun and how they can defend themselves!

Washington Han Mu Do is a great martial arts school in the Maple Valley/Renton area. Led by instructors who are dedicated to learning and teaching martial arts, you will find a perfect combination of experience, skill and patience that makes all the classes very enjoyable and beneficial regardless of your skill level.Not only will you find great instructors but you will find a very open and supportive environment where you can be yourself and learn at your own pace. If you have ever been interested in learning about martial arts or self defense, Han Mu Do will give you confidence and skill to begin your journey.

This school is very community oriented and a great value! They also provide a large library of online teaching tools for practicing at home!!

Both my kids really enjoy and have learned so much from class; both martial arts and discipline. It is a great learning atmosphere!

Our son has done Han Mu Do at this dojang for about 3 years now. It has been a fantastic experience. The quality of the instruction is really great - they have classes for very young children and older kids and adults and the instructors do a great job providing appropriate instruction for all ages.What makes them stand out the most, though, is the atmosphere. It really feels like a family atmosphere where the instructors really care about and take time to get to know each individual student. That really sets this dojang apart from not just other martial arts schools, but from most other sports and activities our son has been involved with.

Yeah.. so full disclosure in that I am now one of the instructors here at Washington Han Mu Do, but I hope you wont discount what I have to say as a review as I started as a new student here too.I have been a continuous martial arts student since 1988, studying a number of styles and been both student and guest in many martial arts schools. I came to HMD as a new student, but of course with many years of knowledge of other styles and techniques. What I found though very quickly, was a school and system I could easily call home.I want to start with the most obvious thing first.. the school location itself.What most students wont appreciate, if you haven’t been in many other places, is actually the quality of the space itself first. I have spent many years working out in closet sized commercial spaces, dusty school or Parks n Rec gyms, or even a converted garage behind the instructors house. The space setup for Washington Han Mu Do is among the best I have ever had and rivals what I have seen in the “world” headquarters of some entire systems. Without a basis for comparison, it’s easy to overlook what HMD has as just normal, but it is far from that. Great dedicated space, professional quality mats (trust me, doing falls on concrete with poor mats SUCK) and always available good gear. This is a BIG DEAL and something I hope folks appreciate, I know I do every day.Next and very importantly is the Han Mu Do school and style itself, and why it really matters.There are hundreds if not thousands of martial arts styles to choose from and tens of thousands of individual schools. Everyone teaches differently, different philosophies, teaching styles, school structure and a million other variables. Even as a lifelong martial arts student and fan, even I find it all hard to keep track of at times.HMD is a vibrant, active and growing school system and that really matters. The founder is still active daily in the system, and there is a healthy system of schools and instructors and this is vitally important and makes HMD very special. It is (sadly) more common for many schools to be small, at times stagnant, and start to shrink in size. While Washington HMD is the only instance of the school system on the west coast, we are lucky to have the support of that large school system, and the energy and growth that comes from that. The home school in Baton Rouge is active, hosts events frequently that bring in the many other satellite schools and is always eager when Washington students can come attend.So.. I hope with all of this information and opinion, that will inspire you to come and check us out and visit us at Washington Han Mu Do. We would be happy to share what we know with you, and include you as a fellow student on the lifelong journey of martial arts and ultimately self improvement.