About Us

Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts is Gallatin's largest, oldest and most award-winning martial arts studio. ERWMA is not "just another karate school." We are a personal empowerment center that combines the very best in character development, success strategies and life skills with a world class curriculum, highest quality instruction and state-of-the-art facility. 

Your journey with us will be one of the most powerful experiences of your life. We are teachers because we are driven to communicate something about the human potential. Our goal is to lift people out of the mundane by creating within a passion for the adventure martial arts can provide.

Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts will teach you Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Submission Grappling, Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA ground striking and Escrima and Chinese and Japanese weapons in a Mixed Martial Arts format. Our goal is to provide you with the highest level of training possible--not just for elite athletes and champion fighters in the cage...but also for beginners and the general public of all ages and walks of life. 

We combine the best values of the traditional martial arts with the effectiveness of modern self-defense techniques to help you grow into peak performers in the martial arts and in life. The outstanding curriculum here was created by Black Belt Hall of Fame Instructor Ernie Reyes, Sr. Plus, you'll be taught in an environment that's clean, safe, positive and uplifting. ERWMA is a family-friendly school with good energy and tons of support. Our instructors and classmates will encourage you and your family with positive reinforcement and lots of high fives. When you join ERWMA, you'll be part of a winning team!

The founders of the West Coast World Martial Arts Association are Master Ernie Reyes and Tony Thompson. They have shared their martial journey in life for 45 years straight, consistently training and teaching. Their goal is to impact and empower massive amounts of peoples' lives in a positive way through our WCWMA Black Belt and Mastery Success System.

Master Ernie Reyes Sr. of, Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts Association, was honored as,"One of the Greatest Martial Arts Masters of the 20th Century. He was featured along with his World Action Team on (TNT) Television Networks', "Tribute To The Martial Arts Master Of The 20th Century." Master Reyes has also been inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame.



Master Reyes has received lifetime achievement awards from every major national martial arts association in the US. He received "The LifeTime Achievement Award," for 2007, presented by the Martial Arts Industry Association, at the Martial Arts Super Show in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel. Last year's recipient was Chuck Norris. The National Association Of Professional Martial Arts and The International Educational Funding Company have also given him prestigious martial arts awards.

Master Ernie Reyes is one of the most versatile martial artists in the world. He is known as the pioneer of creative, martial arts in America. Master Reyes was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as, Instructor of the year, by producing 7-National Champions in one year from one school.

Mainstream publicity from local to national newspapers, San Jose Mercury News, L.A. Times to USA Today, have featured their talents. Local talk shows on network T.V., as well as, CNN News, and People Magazine, have covered their unique and interesting story.

Master Reyes was The National Tae Kwon Do Champion in fighting. In 1977, he represented the USA and was a world-class winner at the World Championships held in Chicago. He was also rated nationally in forms competition.

Master Reyes' son, Ernie Reyes Jr., made martial arts history by being the youngest child ever to be rated in the adults professional division at the age of 8 years old. He also produced many national champions and an Olympic champion. Budo magazine of Europe, wrote "the Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts Action Team is #1 in the world". His demonstration team has traveled all over the world.

Master Reyes has starred and choreographed for many major film and television projects and Hollywood movie projects with his son Ernie Reyes Jr.. Master Reyes has been in high demand as a martial art motivational keynote speaker. Master Reyes also has been featured in Black Belt Magazine's instructional video training tapes. Master Reyes has also done DVD training tapes for Century Martial Arts Lil Dragon teaching series for children, and Dynamic Demos for children, to world-class level, to adults.

Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts Association of 40 schools across the nation with founders Ernie Reyes and Tony Thompson, goal is to create peace, harmony, health, happiness, and success for massive amounts of people lives through the way of West Coast World Martial Arts Training.

Master Reyes and Tony Thompson were both graduates of San Jose State University, where they met their instructor Grandmaster Teacher Dan Choi.