Welcome to
Emerald City Karate, Greenwood, Seattle
World class martial arts instruction for children and adults right in your neighborhood!
Kids Karate(Ages 4-6)
Kids Karate
Our youngest students experience the martial arts in a “Little Dragons” class where they develop improved listening skills and focus which leads to success at school. A positive self-image and “I can do it” attitude become ingrained while their motor skills progress giving them an athletic edge in other sports.
Youth Karate(Ages 7-12)
Youth Karate
Our exciting youth program offers not only an effective self-defense program in a thrilling and extremely fun environment but also a means for character development and discipline. The program improves focus and concentration, instills self-discipline and respect, improves performance in other sports, and develops a positive “I can do it!” attitude.
Teen & Adult Karate
Teens & Adults
Experience the satisfaction of mastering one’s self through effective self-defense techniques and the life-changing philosophies of Martial Arts. Unlock your limitless potential today!
Special Events
Special Events
Join us for unforgettable Birthday Parties, our monthly Parents’ Night Out Pizza/Nerf Wars Party, Self-Defense Seminars, and our Incredible Summer Camps! The excitement never stops!
At Emerald City Karate
Where we educate, encourage, and empower
Located in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, Emerald City Karate is a martial arts school that offers more than just an effective self-defense system. We empower our students to live life at the highest level by encouraging them to discover their own unlimited potential. Our program teaches life skills like leadership, goal setting, self-discipline, and respect to name just a few. We are dedicated to the improvement of the lives of our students and to the improvement of our community.
We offer classes for all ages from four-year-old Children to Adults, in age-specific classes. We specialize in Traditional Karate and Practical Self-Defense. We also offer Spring and Summer Camps, After School Programs, Sparring Classes, Weapons Classes, and Women’s Self-Defense Workshops. Stop by the dojo and we’ll help you live your best life!
We’re looking forward to welcoming you into our Karate Family!
New Student Information
Welcome to Emerald City Karate!
We're excited to welcome you at Emerald City Karate!
How can I start at Emerald City Karate?
Most new students get started with our Two-Week Trial membership.
Our two-week trial membership includes:
- an ECK Dojo T-Shirt
- White Belt
- Two Weeks of Unlimited Training
You can sign up for our two-week trial membership ONLINE or IN PERSON at the front desk.
Please click the red button below to learn how to sign up for the two-week trial membership.
How to Reserve your spots for our Karate Classes:
Is wearing mask required at Emerald City Karate?
Wearing a facemask is optional at Emerald City Karate. If you would like to wear one, please bring your own facemask.
Little Dragons (Ages 4 -6)
- For Little Dragons (Ages 4 – 6), you’re welcome to join our classes anytime. All students in our Little Dragons class should be at least 4 years old. Parents are welcome to join the class to help support any shy youngsters.
- A two-week trial is available to purchase online or in person at the front desk. Please reserve your spots on our class reservation page called Bookwhen.
Students 7 & Older
- The new session for students 7 & older started the week of January 23rd. A two-week trial is available to purchase online or in person at the front desk. Please reserve your spots on our class reservation page called Bookwhen.
- New students age 7 & older will be joining our Beginners – White Belts.
- New students age 12 & older will be joining our Teens & Adults classes (All Ranks).
- If you’re transferring from other dojos or styles of martial arts, we can schedule a private meetup & assessment. Please email us at EmeraldCityKarate@gmail.com for more information.
How to Reserve your spots for our Evening Karate Classes:
ECK News & Upcoming Events
The dojo will be closed on Saturday, March 11th since Sensei Tobey will be traveling to Yakima, WA to support…
We let our students know by our newsletter emails in the past that our Tuesday & Thursday classes are getting…
Dojo Closure Announcements: Mid-Winter Break & President’s Day The dojo will be closed from Saturday, February 18th to Monday, February…
Yakima Karate Tournament – The Morris Mack Open The Morris Mack Open Tournament in Yakima, WA will be happening on…
We would like to announce that we’ll be changing our dojo mask rules. Starting on Monday, February 6th, masks will…
Our belt tests are scheduled on Friday, January 20th & Saturday, January 21st. This test does not apply to Little…
Happy New Year! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! This week the dojo will be operating on a modified schedule as one of…
Merry Christmas from the dojo, For those hearty souls, brave enough to go out in this weather, we’ll be running…
Greetings from the dojo, While it looks like things are more manageable out there today in terms of weather, Shannon…
It’s a winter wonderland out there. Unfortunately, some of our instructors and assistants can’t come in for classes today as…
ECK Schedule Updates for Outdoor & Zoom classes
OUTDOOR CLASSES
- Masks, Temperature Checks, and Hand Sanitizer: In order to provide a safe environment for all of our students, guests will be required to wear masks at all times, as well as undergo temperature checks and use hand sanitizer upon entering the dojo and when leaving the dojo. There is an automatic hand sanitizer and thermometer station at the front door. Simply place your hand under the machine and it will run a temperature check and dispense hand sanitizer in one easy step.
- Air Circulation: The dojo features a commercial-grade HVAC system to keep air flowing. We also have fans available and will plan on opening the doors and cracking windows to increase circulation to maintain a safe environment for our students and guests.
ZOOM ONLINE CLASSES
- This schedule will be in place throughout the session.
- Weapons classes will be held outdoors. The new weapon will be the Tonfa for this cycle. If this needs to be modified we will update our student base at that time.
- Please use our bookwhen link to reserve your spots for both outdoor & indoor in-person classes.
- Face Masks will still be required for all in-person classes both indoors and outdoors at this time.
- Please wear your full karate uniform if you’re coming to indoor in-person classes.
Outdoor Training Notes:
- This schedule will be in place throughout the summer.
- Weapons classes will be held outdoors from June 14th. The new weapon will be the Bo for this cycle. If this needs to be modified we will update our student base at that time.
- We may add more Indoor In-person classes on Saturdays in the near future as well.
- Please use our bookwhen link to reserve your spots for both outdoor & indoor in-person classes.
- Face Masks will still be required for all in-person classes both indoors and outdoors at this time.
- Please wear your full karate uniform if you’re coming to indoor in-person classes.
Outdoor Training Notes:
UPDATE ON November 15th
As you might have seen on the news on Sunday, November 15th, Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered broad restrictions and shutdowns for restaurants, theaters, gyms, and all indoor social gatherings in an effort to slow the state’s burgeoning coronavirus epidemic. This is frustrating for us but we need to keep the greater good in mind.
Since martial arts schools are categorized as gyms & fitness activities, our indoor classes will be canceled until December 14th. Instead, we will be experimenting with outdoor classes and private zoom sessions. We will first try holding these new outdoor classes in our parking lot beside the dojo. These restrictions will be effective from Midnight (11:59 pm) on Monday.
UPDATE ON JULY 21ST
We’re excited to announce that our Summer Camps and in-person evening classes are both in session now. Our in-person classes are offered on Wednesday evenings. Monday in-person classes will also be offered starting next week. Find more information below.
Be sure to reserve a spot online for these 5 Student Max classes ahead of time. Registration information is attached to our weekly cyber-dojo email.
We will be keeping our zoom classes running as scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Our process of returning to in-person classes will feature both in-person and virtual classes and our schedule will likely change as we gauge interest and manage our safety requirements.
In-Person Class Schedule:
Every Monday & Wednesday
UPDATE ON JUNE 22ND
King County was approved to move to Phase 2 on Friday, June 19th and we have decided to offer limited in-person classes starting on July 1st. Registration information is attached to our weekly cyber-dojo email.
Attention: Please note that you will need to register for class each day you plan on attending in order for us to ensure we keep our classes to 5 people max.
In-Person Class Schedule:
Every Wednesday starting on July 1st
UPDATE ON APRIL 2ND
Due to the COVID-19 ‘stay at home’ order, Emerald City Karate suspended all on-site classes on March 16th. We currently are offering karate training virtually both through live Zoom classes as well as our curriculum content which is available 24 hours a day via YouTube.
These classes are for students ages 4 and older. In addition to our regular classes, we are also offering our Weapons Class and Stripe Testing classes virtually.
Please make sure you check our website, our Facebook page, our Facebook group regularly, and your email is up-to-date with us.
ECK Schedule Updates for Outdoor & Zoom classes
UPDATE ON MARCH 16TH
Effective Monday, March 16th, Emerald City Karate is suspending all on-site classes for a minimum of 14 days. We hope to be back in action for the week of Monday, March 30th. However, things may change as we are all facing uncharted territory so please bear with us if unknown circumstances change future plans. We will continue to serve our community via a ‘cyber-dojo’ for our students to polish their skills at home.
Please make sure you check our website, our Facebook page, our Facebook group regularly, and your email is up-to-date with us.
“I first started training under Sensei Tobey in 2008. When I first started my training I was a pack-a-day smoker. I had tried to quit smoking many times but had failed. I promised Sensei I’d quit before my black belt test. I no longer smoke, and I believe that my training in Shudokan Karate under Sensei Tobey gave me the mental discipline that I needed to quit.”
-Thom E – Adult Karate Program
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“My 7-year old son and I have been going to Emerald City Karate for several years now. We have had a great time and always look forward to our family/youth class. As well as teaching about karate and Japanese culture and language, Sensei Tobey provides great lessons on how to work hard and patiently to succeed in anything. It’s also a great way to get mid-week exercise!”
Alan H – Youth & Family Program
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“Sensei Tobey is my son’s Karate teacher (we’re in the 4 to 6-year-old class). As a teacher of small children, I find him to be a wonderful combination of patience, discipline, and fun. He is very passionate about teaching Karate and it shows. He relates to the kids very well and can teach boys and girls equally, not only the physical skills of Karate but mental focus skills as well. It’s been a great experience for my son and I highly recommend Sensei Tobey and Emerald City Karate to anyone looking to enroll their child in a martial arts class. “
Yvette H (Karate Mom)
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Before joining Emerald City Karate I had no experience playing sports or participating in exercise programs because I didn’t like physical activities. So I didn’t expect I would be able to keep training for more than a month or so. But I found it to be fun immediately. The karate class has a variety of different subjects that keep students from being bored. Also, Sensei Tobey knows how to encourage students and allows them to have fun while feeling good about themselves. He likes telling jokes and making students laugh but his passion for teaching karate is always distinctive and serious. Because of his encouragement, I have kept training for a long time and even now I am training in Japan! Karate has taught me the joy of exercise and improved my concentration and it continues to teach many students to practice better manners and etiquette.
It is my pleasure to recommend Emerald City Karate for your exercise and experience in martial arts.
-Kaoru M: Adult Karate Program
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“I cannot say enough good things about the programs offered at Emerald City Karate. If you have children, this dojo (school) is a wonderful environment for them to learn traditional Japanese martial arts, self-discipline, and to have a great time!”
-Samantha: Karate mom
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