Reviews of Ellis County Martial Arts

ECMA is a fantastic place. My daughter looks forward to going to every class. She has learned a ton in the few months she has been there. Everyone is kind and professional.

I enrolled my two boys, age 6 and 7, in class with Mr. Ray recently. I am overly impressed with the professionalism of Ellis County Martial Arts. It is a great experience for my children.

Instructors are professional, friendly, and patient. They take the time to ensure moves are properly taught. I appreciate that they focus on the importance of “common sense before self defense. ”

Truly a great school, and great instructors. My boys have grown tremendously in confidence and technique

I was looking for a place to enroll my mature 5 year old in karate. First I looked online and then toured another place but I'm so glad I kept searching. This dojo teaches real self defense, not just play karate. The student to teacher ratio is good and the teachers are respectful and knowledgeable. My son was afraid and intimidated by the undisciplined free-for-all we witnessed at another dojo, but when we came here the instructor got down on one knee to look him in the eye and reassure him. He took the time to answer all our questions and let us know what to expect. My son has gained so much confidence and skill already. I'm looking forward to watching him advance here with the great example of Mr Ray.

It's difficult to find a school with pragmatism and open to explaining more than just do this or do that. You are given the practical reasoning for the skills being taught as well as variations that cover the "what if's". Instructors are patient and understanding, but firm and demanding when appropriate.

I am so pleased to have discovered Ellis County Martial Arts. Mr. Ray has proven to be an excellent instructor - moving me forward at my pace, and explaining the "hows" and "whys" to various techniques. He is quite obviously highly qualified, yet equally approachable with questions and "what-ifs. "

For anyone - at any age or physical ability - interested in studying martial arts, I highly recommend ECMA.

I have been waiting for a great dojo to train at for many years. ..This place is perfect! The instructors are highly skilled and amazing at sharing their knowledge. I've been a member for a little over a month now and it's the best decision I've made in a very long time. Everyone involved with Ellis County Martial Arts is very welcoming and willing to learn. I highly recomend this Dojo!!!

There is a good ratio of instructors to students. They take time to teach and provide a distraction free environment.

I had studied in other martial arts schools for several years and came to appreciate schools and teachers that emphasize practical application. After moving to Texas I was *very* happy to find Sensei Ray and ECMA. He and his school does an admirable job of emphasizing the value of the traditions of Japanese martial arts while also teaching techniques and disciplines that are quickly applicable to self-defense for the average person.

A great place to learn martial arts or expand on the knowledge you already have. I recommend this dojo to anyone of any skill level and any background.

We have been enrolled at ECMA since September. Having tried many "sports" we were skeptical to try Martial Arts. But WOW we have been amazed!! Because of the true care and compassion that each instructor shows to the students and there success, my student is excited and eager to go to karate. They teach them the true purpose of karate ando when it is to be used. They have a student creed that each student learns and lives by. At the time of belt testing they are required to fill out a form in regards to their grades, attendance at karate, respect at school and home. They include all aspects of their lives in their training. I am so glad that we chose ECMA and recommend them to everyone who is interested.

My son enjoys learning karate at ECMA. This is the first time he feels engaged in a sport, and it leaves our weekends free.

This is a great dojo for a first timer. I am currently a student and have felt welcomed by both the instructors and other students. Everyone is willing to help out and teach you as a beginner. My children also attend ECMA and they love it. Mr. Ray teaches with a good balance of discipline and fun. I highly recommend ECMA.

We have had a very positive experience at ECMA. Mr. Ray had a good balance of discipline and positive reinforcement when he teaches both children and adults. He does a good job making the training realistic and applicable to today's society but still retaining the traditions of the base martial art while teaching you the "why" behind what you are learning. Although you learn in a group setting there, is still individual attention given to help the students grow and learn quickly and effectively.

ECMA is an incredible place for kids and adults alike. We enrolled our son in the introductory course and he loved it so much he said he wanted to do karate forever. He is still enjoying every class and looks forward to it every week. It has helped improve his self confidence, discipline and respect for others. Mr. Ray and his instructors are the best you can ask for and more.

My family has been so impressed with Ellis County Martial Arts! The instructor, Mr. Ray, and his assistant, Mrs. Whitmire, are highly trained and qualified. I love that the facility allows the students to be trained in a private room while giving parents the opportunity to observe the class with a closed-circuit monitor. My son just completed his first belt test successfully, and my wife and I just completed an anti-victim course after which we are both considering signing up for adult karate courses.

My Daughter absolutely loves her karate classes at this school!

My boys absolutely love it here. We originally tried them out because they had a 6 week program plus a free uniform. This gave us the time to decide if karate was right for our kids.

I love the way Mr. Ray treats the children and holds them accountable for their actions. My boys have become more focused and disciplined in class, as well as at home and school.

Great place if you want to learn self defense and not karate as a sport, and they don't charge ridiculous testing or belt fees. My children have learned so much in the short time that they've studied here and continue to learn with each class.

My son loves coming to Ellis County Martial Arts!

The instructors are great!!

My kids and I have been learning from Sensei Ray for 8 months now. The amount of real world martial arts we have been taught is amazing. The reason I say "real world" is because ECMA does not teach tournament fighting which most karate dojo's do. I am not interested in my kids fighting for fun, I am only wanting them to be able to defend themselves and loved ones in a real world altercation. My kids are 7 and 8 and already have much more confidence than before. Plus they can kick the ceiling now. :^) I myself am 43 and have enjoyed learning from not only a great martial artist " Senei Ray" but from a great person. Also, with the great workouts we have I have lost 13lbs, which my wife loves!

My two sons have studied under Mr. Ray for 5 years now, are both black belts, and continue to stay interested and challenged by the curriculum, techniques and common-sense approach to self-defense. I appreciate how the focus at this school is about traditional and modern martial arts concepts brought together as practical self-defense that anyone can learn (no matter your age or physical condition), as opposed to karate as a competitive sport that only an athlete can master. Mr. Ray is an excellent teacher who deals well with all age groups and knows how to explain things without making you feel like there is such a thing as a dumb question. I finally started classes last year. As a 40-something year old woman doing it for the first time, I say if I can do it, anyone can do it, and love it!

Amazing place for kids to study martial arts. Kiddos will learn discipline, self confidence, as well as how to defend them selves. The instuctors are patient and knowledgeable with younger children. Awesome classes for kids of almost any age and skill level

I've been studying with this instructor for ten years. When I first started I was very shy and now I'm much more confident person in regular life and in my martial arts. With the self defense I've learned I feel like I am fully capable of defending myself and my family in any situation. I would recommend this dojo for anybody of any age