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Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Kirkland, Washington

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 3–5) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule zendragon.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 425-827-2402

Hours

Monday 12–9 pm
Tuesday 12–9 pm
Wednesday 12–9 pm
Thursday 12–9 pm
Friday 12–8 pm
Saturday 9 am–3 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 16 mentions

“My daughter has been taking karate classes here for four years, and it's been amazing to see her become more confident and sure of herself.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

💪 Women's Karate

“I also took a women’s self defense class that taught me what to do if I was ever attacked by someone.”

All dojos that run women's karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“The place is super goated and has really helped me improve my self defense and just learn more about the amazing martial arts”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“The place is super goated and has really helped me improve my self defense and just learn more about the amazing martial arts”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 5 mentions

“Sensei Carl is an exceptional instructor – patient, encouraging, and the right balance of fun to make kids want to come back.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“My children have not only learned karate techniques but have also gained valuable life skills like discipline, respect, and perseverance.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Sensei Carl is great with kids and makes sure it’s a fun experience for all the students.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 9 mentions

“My children have not only learned karate techniques but have also gained valuable life skills like discipline, respect, and perseverance.”

From the reviews

Our experience at Zen Dragon in Kirkland has been absolutely amazing! From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed by the incredible team of instructors. Sensei Carl and all the teachers are simply outstanding—passionate, skilled, and fantastic with kids.

★★★★★ — Alejandro, Mar 2025

Zen Dragon in Kirkland is absolutely fantastic! My son has been attending for four years, and we've seen incredible growth in his confidence, discipline, and physical abilities. Sensei Carl is an exceptional instructor – patient, encouraging, and the right balance of fun to make kids want to come back.

★★★★★ — Patrick, Apr 2025

My son has been coming to the Kirkland dojo since he was 4 years old, he is currently 12, and he has gained an understanding of his strengths physically and mentally, thanks to the amazing instructors there. I also took a women’s self defense class that taught me what to do if I was ever attacked by someone.

★★★★★ — Maria, Mar 2025

Our experience with Zen Dragon in Kirkland has been nothing short of amazing! Sensei Carl is skilled, patient, and truly dedicated to helping each student grow in both technique and confidence. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the classes strike the perfect balance between fun and challenge.

★★★★★ — Sourabh, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland

Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Zen Dragon Martial Arts Kirkland

395 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA98033

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.