Martial arts schools in Bellevue
Judo starts young in Bellevue: Washington Judo Academy and Nyam-Ochir Training Center both take children from age two, and Nyam-Ochir's head instructor is an Olympic and World Championship medalist. Kids classes are offered at most schools here, and a free first class or first week is common.
Karate comes in three traditions: Shotokan at two nonprofits, the Washington Shotokan Karate Association and Western Washington Shotokan Karate Group, Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu at the Washington Karate Association, and Kempo at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. Taekwondo has three schools, Master Lei Zhou teaches Shaolin kung fu, and 10th Planet teaches no-gi jiu-jitsu seven days a week.
For the sword, there are two kendo clubs for two kinds of student. Bellevue Kendo Club starts beginners in a ten-week course through Bellevue Parks and Recreation, and Cascade Kendo Kai, where three members of the Imanishi family teach, trains people who already practice in armor. Musokai Iaido teaches Muso Shinden-ryu on Friday evenings, the same night Bellevue Kendo Club meets.
15 schools in Bellevue are listed here. 14 have a full profile built from their own website; 11 of those run classes for kids.
Japanese and Okinawan arts in Bellevue
Academy of Kempo Martial Arts
BellevueThe Academy of Kempo Martial Arts teaches Kempo in Bellevue, from a pre-school class for ages 3 to 6 up to adults. Adults and kids train in separate classes.
KidsJr Tigers (6-12) · Pre-school program (3-6) · Bully ProofingFree trial
Karate (Kempo)Bellevue Kendo Club
BellevueA club founded in 1989 and run in quarterly classes through Bellevue Parks and Recreation, with a set 10-week beginner course. Every class meets on Friday evenings.
KendoCascade Kendo Kai
BellevueThree Imanishi family members teach here, carrying on four generations of the family's kendo in the Pacific Northwest. Practice is for students already training in bogu.
KendoMusokai Iaido
BellevueA Muso Shinden-ryu iaido dojo led by Konno Tatsuhiko Sensei, 7th dan in iaido and kendo. Practice is on Friday evenings, and the first class is free.
Iaido (Muso Shinden-ryu)Nyam-Ochir Training Center
BellevueJudo under Nyam-Ochir Sainjargal, an Olympic and World Championship medalist, on mats over a spring-loaded platform. Kids start at age 2; the first class is free.
KidsPeewee Judo (2-5 Yrs) · Youth Judo (6-16)Free trial
Judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsuWashington Judo Academy
BellevueA volunteer-run nonprofit judo club with classes from age 2 up to a competitive youth program, plus no-gi BJJ. Monday's adult class is the one the club suggests for new adults.
KidsJudo: Tots (2-5) · Judo: Youth (5 to 8) · Judo: Youth Fundamentals (6 to 10) · Judo: Youth Technical (8 years and older)Free trial. Kids from $125 / month
Judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsuWashington Karate Association
BellevueHayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu karate from an association founded in 1966, taught by former national team athlete Sensei Junko Arai. The trial lesson is free.
KidsKinder Karate · Kids class (12 & under) · After School Program (elementary and middle school-age children)Free trial
Karate (Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu)Washington Shotokan Karate Association
BellevueA non-profit Shotokan dojo founded in 1973, taught entirely by volunteer black belts. Classes run in Bellevue and Issaquah, and the first class is free.
KidsYouth classesFree trial
Karate (Shotokan)Western Washington Shotokan Karate Group
BellevueA non-profit Shotokan karate club in a Bellevue church, where kids and adults share classes by rank. The first week is free, with no contracts and no obligation.
KidsKids classes (at least 6 ½ or 7 to begin)Free trial
Karate (Shotokan)
Taekwondo, hapkido and Korean arts in Bellevue
Bellevue Taekwondo/TKD for Kids
BellevueA family-owned Olympic-style taekwondo studio open since 2004 and led by 6th-degree black belt Master Park. Newcomers start with a trial of three classes in one week.
KidsLittle Dragons (4 to 5 years old) · Family ClubPaid trial from $30
TaekwondoUSTA Martial Arts
BellevueA USTA taekwondo school with a curriculum laid out belt by belt, from the first white belt form to black belt levels. Students can start at age 5, with a 2-week trial program.
KidsChildren's program (as early as 5 years old)Trial offered
TaekwondoWorld Tae Kwon Do Academy
BellevueGrand Master Sun Mo Yi's Tae Kwon Do school, with a yearly trip to South Korea for some students. Kids, teens and adults train by belt level on weekday afternoons and evenings.
KidsKid classesNo trial published
Tae Kwon Do
Kung fu, tai chi and Chinese arts in Bellevue
Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy
BellevueShaolin kung fu taught by Master Lei Zhou, a 34th-generation Shaolin Temple disciple, plus tai chi and lion dance. The first class is free.
KidsAfter School Program (elementary and middle school students) · Kids Kung Fu, ages 3-7 (Age 3-7) · Kids Kung Fu, ages 8-15 (Age 8-15)Free trial
Kung fu (Shaolin), Tai chi
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling in Bellevue
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Seattle
BellevueA no-gi only jiu jitsu academy teaching the 10th Planet system under a 2nd-degree black belt. Classes run seven days a week, and the first class is free.
KidsKids Jiu-Jitsu (ages 5-13)Free trial
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (10th Planet)
More schools in Bellevue without a profile yet
Their websites couldn't be read when we checked, or they're not in the first set of profiles. Each links to its own site.
- Warrior Strength Martial ArtsBellevue
Run a school in Bellevue that's missing here, or listed without a profile? Send us your details. A listing is free.