I really enjoyed Joanne's 6-week self defense class for women and highly recommend it! I…read moreappreciated that it was more than just the physical moves, but also how to verbally set boundaries (like saying no without apologizing!), and red flags to look for. Some of the info was a refresher, some brand new. I also appreciated that alternative moves were suggested, like for folks with bad knees, or the guidance for a woman using a cane. Everyone can benefit from this class! To answer the questions most people asked me: The class is kept to a small size, about 12 people. It's only for women, trans, and non-binary; no men. Folks in the class ranged from teen to 60s--I loved seeing mothers and daughters taking the class together. About half of the physical practice involved a punching bag dummy, and the other half involved hands-on practice with classmates, which was necessary, helpful, but also a bit awkward at times. But, I got over it, and got a lot out of it.

I just finished the 6-week self-defense class with Joanne Factor, and it was the best $200 I spent…read morethis year. No, wait, it's the best $200 I've spent in my entire life. You think I'm kidding? Think I'm being facetious? Nope. And nope. I'm being stone cold serious. This class taught me SO many mental, verbal, and physical skills to keep myself safe. I feel like a stronger, more confident, more savvy, and way more aware person after taking this class. All of that is worth way more than $200. IT'S PRICELESS. I loved practicing all the techniques in our class of six awesome women. I learned so much from Joanne; she's patient, understanding, strong as a tank, and funny too. If you're thinking about learning self defense, go to the Strategic Living site and read about the 6-week class. It's remarkable what you can learn in six weeks. This class is much better than just taking a 1-day class (though that's still worth doing that if that's all you can do). But if you can make more time in your life, please do. You can more readily absorb the self-defense principals and techniques in a 6-week class. I'm going to recommend this class to every girl and woman I know. If you're reading this review and live in or near Seattle, I hope you'll take it. You won't regret it!

I decided to give Feminist Karate Union a try because I have family member who goes here…read more When I started at the beginning of this year I knew nothing about karate, was out of shape from becoming a new mom and had moments where I wasnt sure if Karate was for me. Even when it's tough, I keep pushing myself to come to what classes I can because I know its going to make me feel great. As of now I am a white belt, aka newbie, but I can already tell you that coming here will help build confidence, strength, patience, new friends and so much more! Such a diverse community of people here that are just so supportive and all around amazing! Thanks for making me feel like I finally belong somewhere!

Feminist Karate Union (FKU) - My Experience…read more I trained at FKU for about six months and ultimately left after an incident that revealed leadership and communication issues in the school. A simple comment I made while thinking out loud was interpreted through an excessively dark lens, escalating far beyond what was reasonable. I felt unfairly judged and misunderstood rather than supported, and staying would have meant constantly walking on eggshells. During one class, a green belt instructor was teaching solo for the first time. She mentioned that one student would work one-on-one with her, and I repeated what she said out loud simply to process it. Later, I learned that my comment was perceived as a microaggression. I was taken aback because it was simply a moment of thinking out loud, which most people -- especially anyone who knows me -- would have interpreted as benign; yet it was interpreted assuming the worst possible intent without any attempt at clarification. Rather than being asked directly what I meant, the concern was raised later through another instructor and escalated unnecessarily. I was told I had offended two people and violated a "no-touch" rule for briefly demonstrating a movement, even though light contact is routine in training. The response felt reactive rather than grounded in rational or objective thought. I was also concerned by how much weight was given to a single interpretation of my intent. A more measured approach would have involved hearing from all involved before drawing conclusions. When a formal write-up was considered, a senior brown belt instructor felt it would have been unnecessary. The green belt was the only instructor who supported it, and the limited engagement from more experienced black belt instructors suggested a ceding of responsibility to the junior instructor involved. I support a safe and inclusive environment, but overcorrection can create an oppressive atmosphere that discourages open communication. I hope FKU continues to handle conflict with greater balance and perspective, and demonstrates respect for all students, regardless of their personal or cultural identity.

Excellent enjoyable instruction as well as an excellent workout. Respect, acceptance of…read morediversity, community, and safety are valued and stressed in a welcoming setting. The instructor's explanations of the various moves is straightforward and approachable; I look forward to learning more. Additional activities such as kickboxing and yoga are also offered. I highly recommend this business!

I'm glad to see more self defense classes in the CID. The location is somewhat hidden and I like…read morethis. I walked by a session and it was impressive. I like that the art form appears direct and to the point. I didn't see any fancy equipment and it felt like I was training arnis in someone's gym. I'm writing as an observer and by no means this is a full review of a class. What's nice is after practice I could potentially get dim sum upstairs and a massage. This is a win win for location. I think there is also complimentary parking.

First and foremost, this place is VERY inclusive of trans, queer, and non-binary students! I know…read morethe name says "women's," but go to their website and read their gender policy, there is most likely a place for you if you aren't a cis male. Second, they are super accepting of low-income students! They never turn people down for scholarships or inability to pay, and they offer work-study opportunities. They also offer childcare while training!!! I did a Try-A-Class night back in November 2017, when I was feeling out-of-shape and emotionally overwhelmed by the state of the world. I needed something that would combine physical activity with mental/spiritual growth, in a non-judgmental environment. I loved it so much, I decided to sign up for the Beginner's Cycle (a month-long training series) in January 2018, and I have been training there ever since. When I first started, I was in a rut working at a dead-end job and lacked the confidence to move on to something better. Within 7 months, I had scored my dream job. Coincidence? I don't think so... training here really will boost your motivation and self-esteem. They offer a lot of opportunity to belong to a community that at times feels like a family, but there's also no pressure to get involved outside of attending classes. And no previous martial arts experience is required!

Seven Star Women's Kung Fu is a great place to make new friends, get/stay in shape, and learn life…read morelong skills. I've never been the athletic type, but I still enjoy both the physical and mental challenge of kajukenbo/kung fu. Everyone is incredibly supportive and it great to train with such a diverse group of women. Seven Star also offers scholarships and free child care and is 100% for women by women.

I just took their Women's Self Defense class and I really enjoyed it. I left the class feeling more…read moreconfident and informed about not only how to avoid attacks but also how to handle myself in a bad situation. Women should be aware of the basic self defense techniques and this class is the best way to start on this path. It's truly a great class because it's hands on, realistic self defense course that practice through common scenarios like wrist grabs, hair pulls, chokes, etc. The class focuses on physical techniques you can use to break free of an attacker and escaping. It is not about overtaking your attacker, but getting away and running to safety. You will learn and practice simple self defense techniques that don't require exceptional strength but will get you out of any situation. I now encourage all women I know to take this class as it is not only a very useful class but also a fun class.

Best womens self defense class in Seattle. How to not get in a situation where you need to use…read moreviolence to resolve the situation, basic strikes, where to strike and some basic grab escapes.

Putting our 10‑year‑old daughter in BJJ at Combat Arts Academy has been life‑changing…read more In just six months, we've watched her grow stronger, more confident, and more resilient. She carries herself differently now with calm, courage, and self‑belief. The confidence she's building on the mat shows up everywhere else too. The coaches are phenomenal with kids -firm, encouraging, and deeply respectful. They teach more than self‑defense: they teach discipline, mental toughness, and how to stand tall without aggression. As a parent, knowing my daughter is learning to protect herself while being empowered and supported means everything. If you're looking for BJJ that builds strong skills and strong kids, Combat Arts Academy is truly special. Dawa'

Love this gym! My son has grown so much, become disciplined and loves going to class (he is 5.5…read moreyears old). Can't recommend highly enough.

Simply an amazing experience. i'm tired, I have a giant bruise on my wrist, and I have not stopped…read moresmiling all day. This review is for the self-defense 101 class. class began with rules that instantly made me feel comfortable. Rules letting us know that anything we feel is OK, if we ever need to stop or don't want to participate in something, it's fine, things like that. Very comforting. we are then taught everything from how to use our voice to how to use our bodies. We are taught that we are allowed to trust our instinct and respond however we feel necessary to defend ourselves. We are taught ways to get away from people, ways to defend ourselves by hurting the other person if needed, and everything in between For me I must say that there was one clear highlight... After not even 90 minutes, we got to break boards! I I mean, how bad ass is that? Let me tell you something... It felt like the most bad ass thing I've done in a long time and I've been watching the video over and over again and smiling. I want to do this class again and again and I encourage anybody and everybody to go to Quantum

Although this place has moved down the street, the attitude has not. Quantum is a fantastic style…read morethat every serious martial artist should consider as well as anyone with an interest in what martial arts can teach you. Classes are intense with a heavy focus on improving strength, balance, flexibility, and technique (order varying depending on the class). The overall style promotes the importance of combining basic and advanced techniques into practical application with intense sparring classes designed to improve your own creative thought process while under duress. Most importantly, the Quantum community is very inclusive with an outward focus on inclusivity for LGBT people. Belt tests, work days, and community events are organized and performed by the student body for the betterment of all in the group. Definitely a great place to make some great friends. If you are new to martial arts or are looking for a great way to get in shape I recommend it. If you have studied Tae Kwon Do or Kung Fu and would like to continue your training in Seattle, I also recommend Quantum.

After attending Wudang academy for over a year I can confidently say that I was in the best shape…read moreof my life! My flexibility dramatically improved but also overall body connection/fitness. The chronic pain in my knee completely resolved. If you want to live a long, happy, and healthy life this is the secret! They have many different classes/styles of martial arts that can be practiced, and the masters are amazing at helping you choose the best style to fit your goals. If I had more time I would study as many styles as possible. During my time there I practiced Baguzahang (Circular Boxing), Taijiquan (Tai Chi), and Qigong. A memory that particularly stands out to me was a student who had come from New York just to study at the academy. He told me that he originally heard about it after climbing the Wudang mountain in China looking for a master to train him in the original Wudang Sword Style. He was able to find a master, but the man told him to come to Seattle, WA and study at Wudang academy. This demonstrates the authenticity to their teachings which draw direct lineage to the old masters of Chinese Kung Fu. I originally attended the academy several years ago, before my life became extremely busy and I moved to Chicago. I plan to move back to the area some day and Wudang academy is at the top of my list for activities to prioritize. If I have kids someday, I plan on taking them to the academy. I hope that in the future I will be able to make time to attend again. If my review piques your interest, please attend, and learn more in person. I am a humble student and am no doubt not fully representing the amazing nature of this academy so please go check it out for yourself! -Steven

I've been training at Wudang Kungfu for the past 3 years so far. If you are looking for a place…read morewhere you can train forms AND application, within the same gym, this is the best place in Seattle to do it. I have explored lots of different martial arts gyms in the greater Seattle area, and lots of them have different things to offer. However, it was difficult to find traditional Chinese gungfu that is rooted in the culture and practice of Chinese martial arts that also teaches real, effective, full contact application. This is the place to do it! Lu Laoshi and Chang Laoshi are both incredibly knowledgeable, but also down to earth and humble. They really know their stuff, through the historical lineage and practice. There are many amazing non-Chinese instructors of the Chinese martial arts, but I personally appreciate that both head instructors are ethnically and culturally Chinese while also being attuned to western culture and the norms of western students. This is not a school with Japanese style belt progression, or a very hierarchical student culture. Both Instructor Lu and Instructor Chang expect students to think critically for themselves, and for the instruction to make sense because it works, not just because "they say so." If you approach it with an open mind, there is much to learn at this school, no matter your training goals. Chang Laoshi has many years fighting in the ring, testing his application skills in ring fighting, to complement his deep understanding of the traditional forms, and Lu Laoshi has a rich knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in addition to her martial arts practice. Whether you want to learn internal martial arts for demonstration, cultivate qigong, learn about the culture and history of Chinese martial arts, or spar and compete in sanda full contact ring fighting, this is a place where you can do some or all of those things. There are many places in Seattle where you can learn traditional Chinese gungfu, and internal martial arts. There are also many places that will teach you full contact grappling and striking, for muay thai/BJJ/MMA etc. However, if you are trying to learn both of these dimensions of the martial arts and not just one or the other, this is in my opinion the best place in Seattle for it. You can learn forms, qigong, application, open hand, and weapons, all under one roof and with two deeply qualified instructors. There are places that are probably more "affordable" if you are just looking for the cheapest place to train and get a workout, but in this case, I think the expertise and thoroughness of instruction is more than justified, especially considering the generosity of both instructors when it comes to time and answering questions after official class hours.

I've been training at Identity Jiu Jitsu for a bit now and it's been a really solid experience. The…read moregym has two showers and is always clean which I appreciate a lot. I'm a blue belt and mostly train no-gi, and I've gotten a lot out of Tuan's CLA classes. They focus more on problem solving and live situations instead of just drilling moves, which has helped my game quite a bit. The community is also great. Everyone is friendly, respectful, and there to improve. Overall, definitely recommend checking it out. Especially the community open mat.

Loving this community, love this place…read more They have a great set of coaches, clean showers bathrooms and changing rooms. Plus the strength gym is a plus!

I am very impressed with the quality of the Kung Fu classes here. They offer a variety of classes…read morefor different skill levels for children and adults. My daughter truly enjoys the classes. I feel good knowing she is doing something to stay active. Sifu Chon is a great instructor and is amazing with the kids. It is pretty neat to see how much the children look up to him. He does an amazing job. I would highly recommend joining if you or your kids are interested.

I've been training here for almost a year and love it! Regardless of your need for a workout, or…read morewanting to learn self defense, Jun Hong is ready to give you a great class!. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better teacher in Seattle!! This is a great club for students of all ages and skill levels! Great classes for kids, Tai-chi/Qigong, sparring, hand and weapon forms, to acrobatic Wushu are offered here. I think he offers introductory lessons to try it out even (contact them for more info).