Martial Arts Education for Stronger Individuals and Communities

Programs and initiatives that use martial arts-based training to strengthen self-regulation, awareness, and resilience.

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Martial Arts Education Society (MAES)

The Martial Arts Education Society (MAES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing martial arts education as a pathway to personal development, community safety, and civic responsibility. Through its programs and public initiatives, MAES uses martial arts-based training to strengthen self-regulation, awareness, and resilience in individuals and communities. Founded by martial arts educator and community safety advocate William Kwok, Ed.D., the organization works to connect traditional discipline with the needs of contemporary life.

What We Do

Martial Arts Education consists of three parts

Martial Mind®
Programs that develop self-regulation, focus, and character through structured, embodied learning. Martial Mind connects martial arts practice with modern educational principles to support personal growth and behavioral awareness.
Community Safety Workshops
Workshops that provide practical training in awareness, de-escalation, bystander responsibility, and real-world response skills. These programs help participants build confidence, judgment, and resilience in everyday situations.
Cultural Project
Storytelling and cultural initiatives that explore the role of martial arts in identity, resilience, and community life. These projects extend martial arts beyond physical training into public dialogue and cultural engagement.

What is Martial Arts Education?

Martial Arts Education consists of three parts

Physical Education
Modern understanding of the human body has evolved from our knowledge several hundred years ago. Martial arts educators today should be equipped to explain the movement science behind the techniques. Reinforcing martial arts with scientific theory and knowledge will help us improve our practice, coordination, and motion to pass on to future generations effectively. At MAES, we are constantly seeking more effective approaches to improve martial arts techniques and practice based on evidence-based research while still maintaining a connection to the traditional theories and concepts.
Character Education
Traditional martial arts disciplines such as Kung Fu, Taekwondo and Karate have long been an essential form of education in East Asian countries. These all-encompassing disciplines have also been a great instrument to improve social and personal development of many people. In recent years, MAES has established training programs such as Martial Mind to help children and youth overcome social-emotional challenges and improve their self-awareness and present-focus by implementing martial arts education with the emphasis of philosophical aspects in training.
Teacher Education
Teaching martial arts should be organic because we are working with human beings, not machines. In order to reintroduce the core values of traditional martial arts, MAES aims to create higher quality training programs to produce qualified educators. Ideally, well-qualified martial arts teachers should have extensive knowledge of martial arts from both physical and philosophical perspectives. They should also have a well-rounded foundation of educational theories for designing an adaptable curriculum and improving current practice.

Impact & Recognition

  • Community safety workshops in New York City
  • Partnerships with corporations, schools, and mission-driven organizations
  • Community Leadership Award from the U.S. President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition

Featured Initiative

Community Safety Workshops

MAES has delivered community safety workshops that equip participants with practical skills in awareness, de-escalation, bystander response, and real-world resilience, in partnership with community-serving organizations.

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Work With Us

MAES works with schools, corporations, community organizations, and cultural institutions to design and deliver programs that build self-regulation, resilience, and situational awareness.

Contact Us

Martial Mind® A martial arts-inspired social-emotional learning program that aims to increase character development in children to help them grow into ethical, well-coping, and moral citizens.
Special Certificate of Appreciation Presenting our Special Certificate of Appreciation to the legendary action choreographer and director Yuen Woo-Ping.
Tax-Deductible Donation Your support helps develop more citizens with self-discipline. We need to bring hope back to our communities. Make a tax-deductible donation today.