Greenlake Martial Arts

07/16/2025

Pressure Control
The Hidden Key to Real Self-Defense

Most people think self-defense is only about punching or blocking.
But in Tsun Jo, we train something every bit as important:
Pressure control.
This is often where real fights are won.

Why It Matters
Most self-defense situations happen at close range.
At close range, reaction time disappears.
If you can’t control the pressure, you get:
❌ Grabbed
❌ Overwhelmed
❌ Hit before you can respond
Tsun Jo teaches you to stay connected, balanced, and in control—even in chaos.

What It Looks Like
Sticking + Trapping = Pressure Mastery

Pressure control in Tsun Jo means learning to stick to your opponent, feel their intent, and use traps and angles to shut them down before they move.
It’s fast. It’s fluid. And it’s incredibly effective.

Sport vs. Self-Defense
In many sport systems, close range is about scoring points.
In Tsun Jo, close range is about survival.
We train you to stay safe from strikes, chokes, grabs—and even bites.
This isn’t theory. It’s reality-based training.

Take control—under pressure.
📍 Greenlake Martial Arts
🥋 First Class Free or Low Cost

Whether you’re a teen, adult, or parent looking for real-world skills, pressure control is a must-have.

✅ Stay safe
✅ Stay composed
✅ Stay one step ahead
👉 Book your trial at evolutionofmartialarts.com




07/16/2025

https://evolution-of-martial-arts.kit.com/posts/from-chaos-to-control-why-everyone-need-close-range-defense

If striking, dynamic shielding, and deflections are the nuts and bolts of Tsun Jo… then sticking is the soul of the art.

07/10/2025

Dynamic Striking = Real Self-Protection

Static blocking doesn’t cut it.
In real self-defense, you need dynamic striking—moves that adapt, defend, and counter at the same time. 👊

In Tsun Jo, we train you to use every surface of your arms and hands:

💥 Elbows to blast
💥 Forearms to shield & smash
💥 Palms to strike
💥 Fists to finish

These aren’t fancy techniques. They’re practical, efficient, and designed for real-world threats.

You’re not just learning how to fight—you’re taking your safety back into your own hands.
And you’ll do it alongside a supportive community of people who’ve got your back.

📍 Join us at Greenlake Martial Arts
💥 Free and low cost trials available 
🌐 evolutionofmartialarts.com

06/25/2025

https://evolution-of-martial-arts.kit.com/posts/what-happens-when-you-have-to-fight

When you do have to fight, here’s what matters​Sometimes, despite your awareness and communication, someone chooses violence.This is where Tsun Jo’s real-world tools come into play.

03/25/2025

https://evolution-of-martial-arts.kit.com/posts/tsun-jo-cold-plunge-sauna-ultimate-health-resilience

It was 2013, just three years after I took over Greenlake Martial Arts and just one year after I had received my black belt from founder Sijo John Beall.

12/17/2024

Last minute gifts ideas:

- 6 week beginners program starts January 7th. Save 50% off the price by registering now. Use the code 50Now at checkout

- New Teen / Young Adult program start date is January 6th. Give the gift that lasts for life!

For those less familiar with that term, grappling, in a very general sense, refers to grabs, holds and tackles while standing or on the ground. This is something that every self-defense practitioner needs training for to build a strong foundation of protection.

07/24/2024

Today my new book release, Stronger Through Stress, just hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller list for new releases. This book is about leveraging stress to live our best lives! Check it out.

https://a.co/d/asrDzvZ

07/24/2024

Save the Date! July 24, 2024

What all is happening on July 24th?

The release of Stronger Through Stress (print version)
+
* The Kindle version of Stronger Through Stress, will be available on Amazon.com and on sale for just 0.99 cents for a very limited time!

* The first 50 people that buy the ebook on Amazon will qualify for a signed copy mailed to them for FREE. All you have to do is take a screenshot of the purchase, email me at [email protected] with your name and address and I will do the rest.

* Read it and leave a review within the first 5 days after purchasing the book, email me a screenshot and I will email you a FREE mystery surprise gift valued at over $190.

* From 8 - 9a Mountain Time, USA on July 24th I will be holding a FREE online training that you will be able to attend on Instagram Live

* I will be showing you step-by-step how to implement my seasonal guide for stress.

* Everyone who attends will receive my Expanded SR5 12-month seasonal training guide for no cost. You will be able to download it for FREE that day from https://www.mattsoule.com/shop

* During the online training, I will be giving out special discount codes for upcoming training events held in Sequim Bay, WA and Wild Alaska!

My mission is to help you leverage the key pathways of stress to live your best lives.

I hope you will join me tomorrow, pick up your copy of Stronger Through Stress, as well as access all the FREE resources to be well on your way to mastering stress in your life!

All the best in training,
Matt

06/08/2024

FREE Community Self-Defense Class + A story with a lesson...

The other night, I was sitting in my car in a grocery store parking lot, quickly responding to an email, when a stranger aggressively approached the driver's side window. The street lamp was dim. It was hard to see clearly in the dark, but the speed of the man's approach combined with his body language signaled trouble. I dropped my phone in my lap turned toward the aggressor and through my closed window said, Back Off!

The power of my voice pushed him back. He was startled.

I used the surprise to take action.

I Immediately started the car and reversed out of the parking stall while the guy tried to figure out what to do next. As I drove away, I could see the vitriol in his eyes. Whatever he had intended, it was not good.

This story has several important things that I reflected on when I got home.

The mistake I made was sitting in a public parking lot at night while appearing distracted. The email could have waited until I got home. Fortunately, I had my doors locked, something I do immediately every time I get into the car. And I was not as distracted as the aggressor thought I was.

My training using the voice as an early self-defense tool has been invaluable. This was yet another incident where that training came to my aid.

The ability to make fast, clear decisions is a huge advantage in the face of any potential conflict. Again, training here made all the difference.

And a universal lesson for those trained and untrained alike, is that even when our heads are down checking texts or emails in public -- which we all do from time to time-- is to remember to still stay aware of our surroundings in case trouble lurks nearby.

Stay safe, stay empowered, and together, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

All the best in training,

Matt Soule, Director of Tsun Jo®

We have an upcoming FREE Community Self-Defense class on June 22nd. You can register by visiting evolutionofmartialarts.com/book-online. The class is available for anyone 16 years and older. Minors will need to have a parent or guardian sign a waiver prior to attending the class.

05/10/2024

As part of our commitment to local community, we will be offering another free self-defense class for adults on June 22nd from 10a-12p. This class will begin with a brief demonstration followed group instruction. Since 1980, we have been committed to helping our community learn the best self-defense skills while improving their lives. Register for your free class at evolutionofmartialarts.com/book-online

“I was pretty nervous to start practicing martial arts, something I’ve been wanting to do for years, and am so happy I took a chance on Greenlake Martial Arts! After doing research on many different places that offer martial arts training, Greenlake Martial Arts stood out to me based on the testimonials given by both students and instructors as well as the emphasis on making moves practical to optimize protection. The training environment is really cooperative and uplifting, trainers are really knowledgeable, kind, and helpful, and I am learning so much with every class I attend. These classes have added so much benefit to my life, both in how I feel in strengthening my body as well as the confidence I feel out in my every day life living in a city. Thank you to everyone at Greenlake Martial Arts, it’s been an awesome experience and I look forward to continuing my training!” - Emma (newer student)

01/03/2024

Build confidence, learn to overcome obstacles, rise to new challenges and have fun doing it all! New Teen Classes, Ages 12-17, Start January 8th. Enroll now! https://www.evolutionofmartialarts.com/book-online