Integrity Martial Arts

Taekwondo, judo and hapkido make up one self-defense program at Integrity Martial Arts in Spokane. Students train toward a Kukkiwon-certified black belt in taekwondo, in the Olympic World Taekwondo style, while learning the basics of judo and hapkido so they can defend themselves “from a distance, in close, or on the ground.” Three instructors founded the school in 2010, and it's instructor-owned. As a member of USA Taekwondo, it tests its own students for black belt and certifies them through the Kukkiwon.

Teens and adults start in the beginning class, which takes students “no matter what age, skill level or athletic ability” and works on self-defense at kicking distance, punching distance and in close. Parents can train in the same class as their children, since it's open to families, teens and adults. The advanced class is for black belts, students with four or more years of training: they refine speed, power and accuracy and spend more time on fighting strategy. Kids train in their own classes from age 4.

Friday evenings hold a kids competition class, an adult sparring class and the demonstration team, which performs board breaks, throws and self-defense scenarios at schools, churches and sporting events around Spokane. Instructors and students compete at USA Taekwondo and AAU Taekwondo nationals. Private lessons take one to three students at a time. The school also runs trauma informed self-defense classes and makes accommodations to suit individual student needs; their times are a question for the school by phone or email.

Anyone can watch a class or try one for free with no obligation. A first visit needs comfortable clothes, and minors come with a parent or guardian. Training is paid month to month with no contracts or registration fees, and families with several members training get a discount that grows with the size of the family. Sparring gear is lent for class free of charge, and the school sells uniforms and sparring gear to students who want their own.