Highly recommend! Self defense and confidence booster. This is a great program in a healthy environment. The leaders are good people, developing good people. The skills attained here are VERY practical and if used properly, would be VERY effective. No need to be "flashy" if it's effective. My teenage daughter has surpassed me and is excelling. read more

My partner and I took a free trial course in Tsun Jo Kung Fu today. Everyone here, especially the instructors, were very welcoming. Initially, we were asked to follow along with warm ups. Next, two different instructors worked with us as a pair. They reviewed proper stances, basic movements, punches, and a couple of blocks. We did some of this work with punching bags, the instructors and each other. They made it interesting, fun, and empowering. They were very encouraging. One was lighthearted and upbeat and the other more serious but patient and very nice. I enjoyed the intimate setting and small class size. In addition to classes they have a small gym that is available to students free as long as the dojo is open. I might have to finagle my work schedule to make this work but we felt good about this experience and plan on continuing with either the one month unlimited trial or five class pass. Based on my first impression, this is totally worth it! read more

My Daughter has been training here for a few years and she really likes it. It's a practical style of self defense incorporating striking, grappling, holds and escape tactics. A couple of things I like about this particular studio is it's non-competitive atmosphere and less focus on belts. It is also a lot less formal than most places and less cult-like which is great. Just the skills please, none of that other BS! I just hope they can come out of this pandemic intact and with a space for in person training. read more

Greenlake Martial Arts teaches the Art of Tsun Jo Kung Fu. Tsun Jo is a practical approach to self-defense for students of all ages. Tsun Jo teaches students: environment awareness; de-escalation; and, self-defense to protect themselves and others in multiple situations. Sifu Matt Soule is an extremely skilled and talented individual that cares deeply about the art and about teaching the art! I highly recommend enrolling for 60-days to experience the essence of Tsun Jo. I am certain your conditioning, self-defense skills, and confidence will grow significantly. read more

This school is great. It's a very practical self-defense style of martial arts. The material is presented in clear progressions and everyone is very supportive of each other's learning. The instructors and the students together do a great job of making class about improvement, not about machismo or showing off. I'm so glad I started going here. read more

When I first started looking around for a Martial arts school, I found lots of Taekwondo, and MMA gyms. I wanted something that was less about flair, and more about function. My last martial arts dojo mysteriously closed one day...meaning I had to find a new training facility. Greenlake Martial Art' school version of Wing Chun is functional, fun and a great workout. Very different from the karate and MMA gyms out there. I've been going here now for 2 years and continue to be impressed with the school. I love that there are no Kata (fight routine) in this style. The teachers are first rate. The owner and lead instructor Matt Soule, is incredible approachable, knowledgeable and willing to help. Plus the students are friendly - and there aren't any weird meat heads in the gym helps. Also, a big plus for me was the class schedule. It offers both day and evening classes making training easy to fit into my often hectic travel schedule. read more

Trained here for about a year for my first ever martial arts experience. Couldn't ask for a better group of instructors and other students. The style is a functional form of Kung Fu derived from Bruce Lee's practice as he was developing Jeet Kun Do in Seattle. Very practical in a real-world application, without any of the flashy moves. Classes are well-structured and time is split into warm-up exercises, bag stations, and the main lesson/drills. I also took advantage of some of the other activities they offer, notably the grappling and cardio/strength training. The grappling was incredibly fun with people of all abilities, shapes, and sizes, both men and women, and a heck of a workout. Overall GMA is a great place to learn and develop your martial arts without all of the frills and useless gimmicks. It's more of a friendly utilitarian vibe that fits right into the Greenlake neighborhood. My only regret is that I'm moving out of town and can't continue to train there! read more

I'm writing as a parent of two kids (9,11) who attend the children's class. They have been attending for several months now and the experience has been everything I hoped for going in. The instructors have an amazing way of teaching without coddling or being harsh. They respect the students, acknowledge their difficulties, and encourage improvement with calm enthusiasm. I also like that they teach the class with real world advise, emphasizing trying to get help from an adult, to get away from a bad situation, only when left with no choice use their self defense skills. And those self defense skills are realistic, useful things, like getting out of someone's grip if they grab you. They will take the time to correct the use of brute force, how the kids can force something on their training partners who are their same size, won't work on an adult if they're not doing it correctly. And the kids have fun while learning all of this, too! The atmosphere is wonderful. I agree with the earlier poster, bring a coat if you're coming to visit in winter, it does get nippy in the lobby :) They don't have their own parking lot right now, there's lots of paid street parking around, park at Green Lake and walk, there's a library nearby you can hang out in, or just drop them off and come back. Classes are scheduled to be 45 minutes long, but every once in a while the teachers get so caught up teaching and wanting to make sure the kids are getting something that they will pause, ask the parents in the lobby if everyone's ok on time, and if so, keep going another 5-10 minutes. Its perfectly clear this is not just a job for them, I love this place! :) read more

As new student to any sort of martial arts, I had my hesitations. I found Greenlake Martial Arts School an excellent place to learn real-world martial arts, even on my first day. I knew that I did want to learn practical ways of defending myself and not katas (or poses) taught in other schools. They aren't particularly practical. I wanted to learn how to defend myself should I get jumped in an alleyway, for example. Breaking a board with a swift chop may look impressive to some, but wouldn't help me out in a real world situation. Matt and the other instructors at this facility are excellent. They are patient, practically minded and very knowledgeable. The other students are incredibly friendly and open to teaching new students what they know, which is immensely invaluable. I'd highly recommend this place and look forward to continuing my progression in the upcoming years. read more

Matt gave our staff a personal class on self defense and we couldn't feel happier with the results. Such a thorough curriculum with real life examples mixed with body affirming moves for all body types. The establishment is clean, friendly staff, and really practical information. I'm thinking about going back as a student some other time. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Thank you so much! read more

When you're walking down the street and you see someone who looks threatening, do you have a plan? A set of skills, basic or advanced, that you can call upon to respond effectively? After training in a "traditional" martial art for 7 years, I didn't feel I could answer yes to that question. If that person attacked me in a specific way with the right kind of momentum I could use my training. But that left about a million other ways for me to get knocked down and beat up. When I read about the approach at this school, I immediately identified. I wanted to have skills to respond to any kind of attack, not just attacks from people who trained in the same particular art as me. I've been at the school for 3 years now and couldn't be happier. The mix of great people, welcoming environment, lack of testosterone crazed "tough guys", and a comprehensive system of fighting have been exactly what I wanted. I'm no expert at all the techniques being taught at the school but I now have a set of skills for addressing threatening people on the street throwing punches, having a gun in my face, a person with a knife, club, or baseball bat, or another martial artist attacking me. I also take advantage of the grappling training at this school so if a fight goes to the ground I have a solid set of skills to give me the best chance of resolving the conflict with minimal injury. One other item of note is the way in which you advance at this school. It is a very simple and personal approach to gaining rank. Each student has a card with a list of requirements for your level. After class or during open training you grab an instructor and say "I'd like to review on these things which I think I know how to do". One on one, you and the instructor review, and you pass or you get feedback for improvement. There is no test in front of other students, no ceremony where you have to prove your skills while others watch on. It is just a personal review of the techniques you feel ready to review. If you're looking for true self defense training, without the unnecessary formalities and dated forms of other traditional martial arts schools, you should definitely give Greenlake Martial Arts a try. read more

Part of my "Parenting With Renewed Vigor and Attention to Detail" campaign clearly outlined the need to enroll my kids in some new extracurricular physical activity. I embarked on this first at Alpha Martial Arts, over by University Village. This is relevant simply because I am going to contrast styles, and also because my enthusiasm for this school is not entirely without some experience elsewhere...and these contrasting approaches served to really cement my affection for this school. Alpha (not THIS school, mind you) is a bit like a summer camp. The classes are very full, the kids' classes seem to feature quite a large age spectrum, and in the lobby, parents (mostly moms) cluster around and talk about spas and their summer cabins. True story (if I were going to make it up, I'd make their conversation equally lame but hopefully more creative). The instructors are very sincere but my son, after four sessions said, "They're so phony and patronizing! I know I'm a kid but they don't have to treat me like one!" Heh. I have to back up his comment. They used that weird, overly enunciating delivery that, when I heard it as a kid, made me think of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." So that one not really working for us, I continued on to Greenlake Martial Arts. First of all it's in a basement-type structure, just behind the Baskin-Robbins. It's the kind of place where Rocky would have trained, or where you might want to live if you had a condition, such as vampirism or being an albino, which would make you die in the sun. I actually found that oddly welcoming, to be honest. We were greeted by Matthew, who is direct, totally straightforward, and utterly polite. We took advantage of their $35 two-week trial membership which allows you to take as many classes as you like in any given week. Note that the uniform isn't provided, but it's also not required. As soon as the class was underway I knew this would be our place. No faux "Up With People" coddling. Having taken a class there myself, I can honestly say that the instructors keep an utterly consistent tone regardless of whether they're talking to adults or kids. This shouldn't be rare but friends, it really is. I feel a burst of love for them just writing about it. The boys have THROWN themselves into this program and we've enrolled now for good. The classes are always smaller than at the other place we went, and on some nights they're VERY small, allowing for optimal learning and advancement. My older son is sprouting tiny but significant new little shoots of confidence and this makes me inordinately happy. A few more details on the type of martial arts. It's Tsun Jo Wing Chun, which in very broad strokes is a variation of Kung Fu originally developed by a nun, and the same basic martial art form practiced by Bruce Lee and his onetime teacher, the ever-lovin' Yip Man (if you haven't seen the loosely biographical but highly embellished Yip Man movie, you should, if only to see the most awesome practitioner of the SuperSpeed Bitch Slap alive. It's bitch-slap-tastic! Anyway, we're big fans of the place. Oh, but if you're going to be waiting in the lobby, do know that it gets VERY COLD in there in the winter, so bring a down coat or some of your Eddie Bauer or REI stuff to buck up against it. Oh no wait, this is Seattle--you're probably already wearing it because you just went to the opera. ;D read more

Every time it's time for class, I can't wait to go and train. The instructors are great, and everyone is very friendly. The martial art they teach is great for practical application but is also a good workout. It is also a wonderful way to become refocused during a stressful week. I always feel better after training here. read more

There are few words that can describe what I have learned about my year at this school. If I was to sum it all up into one it would be this- Positive.When I started I was indeed intimidated, but I stuck with it. From the training I have lost weight, increased my body strength and endurance. I went from going once or twice a week to "Iron Maning" two classes back to back twice a week and then training for 2 hours on Saturdays. Greenlake Martial Arts School's greatest achievement is the sense of camaraderie and fellowship that it encourages. Tsun Jo Wing Chun Kung Fu is not an easy art to master, nor is it to be taken lightly, but then nothing in this life ever is. Some schools make false promises to entice new members; others smile to their students faces but look at them not as people but as income. Some treat it exactly as a business with zero flexability or tolerance. Greenlake Martial Arts School has none of that- Students are treated as friends and family. Sometimes estranged and dysfunctional, but still very much a family. The Instructors understand that they are dealing with a solid group of people all with varying backgrounds, and do their best to bring out the best in people. They have a solid set of core values: Right thoughts, Right actions, and Right Associations and this ideal has served- Students and Instructors- alike well for over 25 years. In closing, if you are looking for a new school to train at, with people who are accepting, focused and intense all the while tempering their discipline with humanity, take an introductory class and meet the instructors. Like anything, your search might be long and arduous, but the rewards of training here are worth it. read more

I started training at the Greenlake Martial Arts School in 2010 and, at age 15, was one of the youngest members of the adult class. I always dreamed of learning a martial art and I finally decided to try a class. I am so happy I did. The instructors at Greenlake Martial Arts are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The members are respectful and very open to newcomers. Although I started in 2010, I still am excited for each new class. The school's comprehensive class schedule fits anyone desiring to learn practical self-defense skills and get in better shape. There is class everyday but Sunday, yet the instructors are often in even then to train and help members. What makes the Greenlake Martial School different from other martial arts instruction? I found the self defense system taught here to be extremely practical and applicable for modern fighting. Many traditional martial arts are outdated and unrealistic. Tsun Jo Wing Chun Kung Fu combines traditional fighting with modern improvements. Another difference is that many schools base their instruction on a sports-style martial art. Yet, in reality, this is not as practical. There are rules in competition-based martial arts, while on the street, anything goes. It is dangerous to ignore "cheap shots" in fighting because an attacker could very well use them against you. I recommend Greenlake Martial Arts to the highest degree. Through training at this school, I feel more confident, am in much better shape, and have made many friends and training partners. read more

I have been searching for years for a school and instructor that teach a practical approach to self defense. The students all love being there and the energy in the room is driven but supportive. Being a woman I was a little intimidated but every person adapts to the needs of their partner and are always willing to help you when you're struggling. My favorite part of this school are the grappling classes. We have so much fun wrestling around while learning new moves. Definitely come check the classes out you'll have a blast. Also, if you are looking for bang for your buck you will not find a better deal. The instruction is fantastic. read more

I attended the Women's Self-Defense Workshop, and having little to no knowledge of martial arts, I had no idea what to expect. Well, this class was a blast! I learned so much, the instructors were patient (very important to strong but uncoordinated people like me!), and I left the session fully energized and armed with great techniques. Highly recommended and fun. read more

This is my first YELP review, which I feel compelled to write because of the overwhelming positive experience and gratitude I have for the Greenlake Martial Arts School. A friend of mine who has been going to the school for 3 years now had been trying to get me to come in and try it out for almost that much time. I kept blowing him off until I wound up between jobs for about a month earlier this year, and it seemed like a good time to give it a go (I have zero martial arts experience). The first class is free, where the owner, Matt, will walk you through the gym and show you around and explain some basics of their system, which is called Tsun Jo Wing Chun. The method is a variation on traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu (which was made famous in part by Bruce Lee), that has been adapted to emphasize practical self-defense. Each class typically consists of a warm up period, which includes some stretches and exercises, a rotation through several bag stations to practice techniques, followed by an instruction period. The instruction material varies week to week, and there are several specialized classes throughout the week as well (pressure-based chi sao, grappling, fitness, etc). While I was only able to train at the school for ~ 3 months before moving cross- country, I was really impressed at the level of dedication of all of the instructors, while keeping things fun. They did a fantastic job of catering to both beginner students, as well as more advanced ones. They took time and care to help each individual taking into account their skill level, physical ability, and what the person is trying to get out of it, all while being very approachable. Likewise, the other students at the school were friendly and helpful. In the short time I was there, I improved significantly, had a lot of fun, and got in pretty good shape. While not the most posh gym in town in terms of aesthetics and perks (my wife's gym "has complimentary Aveda hair products"), they have high quality equipment, and it certainly is a legitimate place to learn valuable skills that always take into account real-world situations (you definitely don't want to start a bar fight with anyone who goes there and has a green belt or above). I would highly recommend stopping in and trying it out. After the first class, you can pay $35 bucks and get 2 weeks of unlimited classes to get a better feel for it. read more

I'm taking the Women's self-defense classes and am really impressed. The instructor is skilled in teaching as well as technique and gives just the right balance of information and practice. Highly recommend! read more

I'm taking the Women's Self-Defense Series, which I believe is quarterly. Haven't done any other training with this school, though I'd like to. This is my third or fourth self-defense class over the years. This excellent male and female instructor team of Matthew and Fiona got us moving immediately. There was just enough verbal instruction and not too much other talking. There was acknowledgement of women's need to defend ourselves but not much dwelling on traumatic experiences; the class had fun and humor in it, and I liked how full the room was with about 30 women. We were in each others' bubble from the moment we walked in, and I felt this helped when it was time to get more physical. I've found in past self-defense classes that often nobody ever gets comfortable with the physical contact that is needed for practicing in class. But in this class it seemed like most people were having fun with it, and there was a lot of laughter. Great class, clear instruction, valuable skills. read more