Business Details
46 Years
experience
Your Trusted Martial Arts School in Seattle
Founded in 1980 by Sijo John N Beall, Greenlake Martial Arts has dedicated over four decades to empowering individuals through practical, science-based self-defense training. Our Tsun Jo system emphasizes real-world effectiveness, teaching situational awareness, de-escalation, and techniques grounded in principles like speed, pressure, and positioning. We serve students of all ages and backgrounds, from beginners seeking confidence to experienced martial artists refining their skills. Our instructors, including System Director Matt Soule and founder John Beall, bring decades of expertise and a commitment to community impact. We prioritize safe, respectful training environments while maintaining high skill standards, with programs tailored for youth, teens, adults, and specialized workshops.Our philosophy extends beyond physical techniques, fostering mental resilience and lifelong personal growth. With a legacy of producing capable martial artists, we remain a leader in non-sport fight training in the Pacific Northwest. Our facility combines cutting-edge equipment with a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring accessible, high-quality instruction for all. We actively engage in community outreach, adapting training to diverse settings from corporate environments to shelters. This holistic approach ensures students are prepared for real-world threats while building confidence and discipline.
Services
Tsun Jo Self Defense
Teen Classes
Women's Self Defense
Virtual Training
Youth Program
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 45 years of experience in real-world self-defense training.
- Our certified instructors teach Tsun Jo, a science-based martial arts system.
- We provide tailored programs for all ages, from youth to seniors.
- Our training emphasizes practical skills over traditional forms or philosophy.
- We guarantee a safe, respectful environment with low injury rates.
What people say
Top-notch instruction
Welcoming group of people
Practical and simple to employ
Highly effective movements
Best school in Pacific Northwest
Services
Tsun Jo Self Defense
Tsun Jo is a science-based self-defense system focusing on real-world scenarios. It teaches situational awareness, de-escalation, and efficient techniques grounded in principles like speed and positioning. Ideal for all ages and backgrounds, this training prepares students to handle threats confidently and effectively.
Women's Self Defense
Specialized programs for women emphasize practical skills to address common threats. Classes focus on building confidence, physical techniques, and mental resilience. Instructors create a supportive environment for women to develop self-defense capabilities tailored to their unique needs and situations.
Youth Program
Our youth program introduces children aged 5+ to martial arts fundamentals. It builds discipline, focus, and physical coordination while teaching basic self-defense. Classes foster respect, teamwork, and confidence through age-appropriate instruction and engaging activities.
Teen Classes
Teen classes develop martial arts skills while addressing adolescent challenges. Training includes self-defense techniques, stress management, and character development. Instructors emphasize respect, responsibility, and confidence-building to support teens' personal growth and safety.
Virtual SuperHERO
Virtual SuperHERO offers remote self-defense instruction accessible worldwide. This program delivers Tsun Jo principles through structured video lessons, allowing students to learn practical skills at their own pace while maintaining connection with our community.
People
Matt Soule
Director
Matt Soule, Tsun Jo System Director, has trained since 2009 and teaches practical self-defense techniques. He emphasizes balanced instruction, combining patience with challenge to maximize student growth and effectiveness.
John N Beall
Founder
Sijo John N Beall founded Greenlake Martial Arts in 1980 and developed the Tsun Jo system. With decades of experience and multiple patents, he continues active involvement in student development and curriculum refinement.
Jacob Greenleaf
Instructor
Jacob Greenleaf, a certified instructor since 2017, specializes in Tsun Jo's geometric principles. He focuses on movement details and practical application, drawing from personal experience and technical precision to enhance student understanding.
Jason Thams
Instructor
Jason Thams brings nearly 30 years of martial arts experience to Tsun Jo instruction. His teaching combines diverse background in karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with positive reinforcement to develop well-rounded, confident students.
Fiona Morgan
Instructor
Fiona Morgan specializes in women's self-defense training with nine years of Tsun Jo experience. As an EMT, she applies real-world perspective to practical self-defense scenarios while emphasizing empowerment and skill development.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We primarily teach Tsun Jo, a science-based self-defense system derived from Wing Chun principles but adapted for modern real-world scenarios.
Are classes available for beginners?
Yes, our programs welcome all experience levels with specialized classes for new students focusing on fundamental self-defense techniques.
Do you offer online training options?
Yes, our Virtual SuperHERO program provides remote access to Tsun Jo instruction for students worldwide with structured video lessons.
What should I wear for my first class?
Wear comfortable workout clothes; we provide necessary training equipment and will guide you on appropriate attire for ongoing classes.
How experienced are your instructors?
Our certified instructors have decades of combined experience, including direct training under Tsun Jo founder John Beall and military specialists.
Do you have programs for children?
Yes, our youth program accepts students starting at age 5, focusing on basic martial arts skills, discipline, and age-appropriate self-defense techniques.
