Upcoming Events:

Every Friday 7 - 9 pm will be Black Belt Seminars through March 2

January 17-18: Adult class evaluations.

January 26: Lunar New Year performance at Thurgood Marshall Elementary

January 28: 8th Annual Kick-A-Thon. Download your pledge form today

March 2-4: AWMAI Conference, Las Vegas

March 9-10: Black Belt test, Honolulu HI

July 24-29: SDIC/ST 2012, NWMAF

Frequently-Asked Questions

Am I too old to start karate? You are never too old to start! Karate is an excellent life-time sport which can be adapted to changing needs and abilities. Women of all ages are learning and enjoying karate.

Do you have a ranking system? We maintain the colored belt ranking system of shito-ryu karate. The ranking system gives you a structure to measure your progress.

How often should I train? Ideally, students train three or more times a week. Twice a week is a bare minimum. You can train  as often as you like.

What should I wear to class? Most students wear a traditional karate uniform, called a gi. As a beginner, wear clothing that is loose and comfortable. We train in bare feet, so special footwear is not needed.

Rainbow Women's Health Challenge at the Feminist Karate Union. We donated a special class to this Verbena program to help women find their best path to health and fitness.

Do you participate in tournaments? The Feminist Karate Union has participated in Pacific Northwest karate tournaments since 1973. We now also compete in national and international events. Any student who wishes to challenge herself and gain competition experience is welcome to enter on behalf of the school. No one is required to compete in tournaments, unless her goal is training to black belt.

What is your school's philosophy? The Feminist Karate Union is willing to work with any woman in her karate training. With diligence and perseverance, any woman can do karate, and do it well. All students are treated with respect and given individual attention, regardless of initial aptitude and condition.

What if I'm interested in the spiritual aspects of martial arts? Many of our students credit their karate training with helping them in diverse areas of life, including spiritual development. Through training in karate, you cultivate self-discipline, patience and endurance; concentration, determination and persistence. These are all invaluable for spiritual growth. We do not espouse or advocate any specific spiritual path.

How can I start? Call or email us. Consult the class schedule and make an appointment to watch any but the Wednesday night advanced class. Plan on arriving 10-15 minutes before class is scheduled to begin.