Founded in Seattle in 1991, the Tao-Zen Academy of Traditional Martial Arts headquarters school moved to its present location at the Pioneer Hill dojang in Poulsbo, Washington, USA in 1994. We also opened a new Seattle branch of the Academy in 2000, and a branch in Bellingham, WA in 2003. The Academy is a small private dojang dedicated to teaching authentic traditional Asian martial arts and philosophy in a supportive, family-friendly environment. The focus is on a natural system of unarmed personal defense specifically designed to work effectively regardless of size, making it an ideal self-defense resource for women, teens, children, and lighter men.

We are also a "teaching" school, uniquely suited to serious martial artists interested in developing their teaching skills commensurately with technical martial arts prowess. Our active mentoring program provides newer students with close personal attention from qualified instructors, ensuring correct technique and an accelerated learning curve.

The Shindo program focuses on effective self-defense skills, rather than the "sport" aspect found in most commercial schools, and on classical Taoist and Zen philosophy. The school attracts students interested in serious study--both new to the field, and those experienced in other styles.

Martial artists are, above all, individuals, and everyone learns at his or her own pace. Small classes ensure close personal attention to the development of each student.

The ancient code of bushido (the Way of the Warrior) demands the highest standard of performance and personal conduct, reflected today in the values of practitioners of traditional martial arts, such as Shindo.

You can learn more about our school's history by visiting our Lineage page.