Mission Hills Martial Arts
REAL TRAINING FOR LIFE
Welcome To
Mission Hills Martial Arts
Welcome to Mission Hills Martial Arts!
Our Krav Maga, Kali, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training provides students with intense workouts in a friendly environment. We are open to anybody looking to grow and find a place they can call second home
While we believe competition is good for people of all ages and fully support and train students looking for that. Beyond that however our main focus here is on self-defense and fitness. Through modern training methods and support students gain confidence, mental clarity, relieve stress and make social connections in a tribe of individuals with the same goals, improving their way of life.
Join us on this path at Mission Hills Martial Arts.
Join us with our two-week intro!
Take your first step with our introductory offer and experience two weeks of training at Mission Hills Martial Arts. Sign up today and see what our classes are all about!
Mission Hills Martial Arts
Core values
At Mission Hills Martial Arts, we believe we fall to our level of training.
Training isn’t about ego. It’s about preparation. It’s about building habits that hold when life doesn’t. Martial arts, done the right way, finds a strong place inside you – especially when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
Through consistent training, you develop competence – and competence builds confidence.
That’s what we train for.
This is a place where anyone can start. But it’s also a place that demands something from you:
- Accountability.
- Effort.
- A desire to be better than you were yesterday.
When you know you can take care of yourself, you carry yourself differently. And that ability extends beyond you. It becomes the ability to take care of the people you love.
Who We Are at
Mission Hills Martial Arts
Our School
Our goal is to empower individuals to exceed their own expectations, not only in martial arts but also in all aspects of personal development. At Mission Hills Martial Arts, we are committed to fostering well-rounded growth both on and off the mat. We do not operate as a facility focused solely on teaching techniques for financial gain; rather, we are dedicated to supporting your progress and assisting you in achieving your unique objectives. Through modern instruction and experience, drawn from real life experience as well as association with the American Krav Maga Federation, Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Dogbrother Martial Arts and the American Tang Soo Do Alliance we provide context and insight to enhance your training. It’s not just about how to do things, but why and when. We offer complete resources for Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali programs at Mission Hills Martial Arts.
History
Nathan Carlen founded our school to support anyone who wants to train in the martial arts and grow. The mat is a place for people to master themselves. He believes everyone has the ability to persevere and accomplish more in the right environment. Mr. Carlen began martial arts training as a youth and has since attained high rankings in a multiple disciplines, including a fourth-degree black belt in Krav Maga, an eighth degree black belt in American Tang Soo Do, Guro ranking in Filipino martial arts and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu among others. Alongside these accomplishments, he is committed to sharing the lessons imparted by his coaches, aiming to positively impact lives. He believes we are all products of those who gave to us. Now leading his own school, Chief Instructor Mr. Carlen encourages students to earn their progress, value character and embrace personal growth.
Meet the Mission Hills Martial Arts
Team
Nathan Carlen
Owner and Chief Instructor
Martial Artist, Educator, and Founder of Mission Hills Martial Arts.
Nathan Carlen is a lifelong martial artist, educator, and the Chief Instructor and Owner of Mission Hills Martial Arts in Mission Hills, California. With more than three decades of training and teaching experience, he has dedicated his career to helping students of all ages build confidence, discipline, and practical self-defense skills through structured martial arts training, academic instruction, and community leadership.
He holds the following distinctions:
• 8th Dan Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do under Grand Master Mark Cox
• 4th Dan Black Belt in Krav Maga under Danny Hazan
• Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Sergio Machado
• Guro in Dog Brothers Martial Arts under Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny
In addition to these primary disciplines, Mr. Carlen has cross-trained and holds ranks in Kali, Silat, Shotokan Karate, Hapkido, Aikido, Kenjitsu, Japanese Ju-Jitsu, Sambo, Muay Thai and a number of other arts. Nathan also holds a leadership role within the American Krav Maga Federation (AKMF), where he serves in an executive and analytical capacity focused on curriculum development, instructor standards, and defensive tactics education. His responsibilities include contributing to program structure, reviewing training methodologies, and supporting instructor growth across affiliated schools.
Coach Carlen represents the modern martial arts instructor — grounded in tradition, strengthened by diverse experience, and devoted to empowering others through disciplined training and education.
Our School Schedule!
Check out our schedule at Mission Hills Martial Arts to find the right time to train Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Kali for you.
Explore our Martial Arts
Programs
At Mission Hills Martial Arts, we believe martial arts training should go beyond punches and kicks – it should build confidence, discipline, and real-world skill. Our programs in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kali are designed for students of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re 5 or 85, you’ll gain strength, focus, and the ability to protect yourself and your loved ones. We decided to open this studio to create something special – a community where every martial arts class leaves you feeling stronger, safer, and more confident than when you walked in.
Krav Maga is a practical self-defense system originally developed for the Israeli military. It focuses on simple, effective techniques designed to work under real-world stress. Training teaches students how to recognize danger, avoid threats when possible, and respond decisively when necessary. Students learn defenses against common attacks such as grabs, chokes, punches, and ground assaults while building awareness, confidence, and resilience. Techniques rely on natural body movements, making them easier to learn and apply quickly, and suitable for all ages and abilities. Krav Maga training builds strength, coordination, and mental toughness while preparing students with realistic self-defense skills focused on safety and escape.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on leverage, technique, and control rather than strength or size. Students learn how to take an opponent to the ground, control their movement, and apply submissions such as joint locks and chokes. A key principle of BJJ is that a smaller, properly trained person can successfully defend against a larger attacker using positioning and leverage. Training includes drilling techniques and live work, helping students develop timing, confidence, and real skill. Often described as “physical chess,” BJJ builds fitness, discipline, and problem-solving while providing highly effective self-defense training.
Kali is a traditional martial art from the Philippines known for its practical, fast, and adaptable approach to self-defense. Originally developed by Filipino warriors, it emphasizes weapons training—sticks, knives, and improvised tools—from the very beginning. This training builds coordination, timing, awareness, and precision that naturally transfers to empty-hand striking, grappling, and defensive tactics. Kali is known for its fluid movement and ability to adapt to changing situations. Practiced worldwide by martial artists, military, and law enforcement, Kali offers a dynamic way to develop real-world skills, sharpen reflexes, and build confidence while exploring a rich martial tradition.
Join us with our two-week intro!
Take your first step with our introductory offer and experience two weeks of training at Mission Hills Martial Arts. Sign up today and see what our classes are all about!
Contact Us!
It is our honor to bring training to Mission Hills and San Fernando, Sun Valley, Granada Hills, North Hills and Sylmar at Mission Hills Martial Arts. You can find us at the corner of Lassen and Sepulveda in the back at the Sepulveda & Lassen Center!