Head Instructor
Sensei Yaroslav
Founder and head instructor of Shoya Kai Seattle. A lifelong karateka and competitive coach dedicated to building strong, principled athletes.
志
道
Sensei Yaroslav
Head Instructor · Founder
Biography
A lifetime on the mat.
Sensei Yaroslav began his karate journey as a child and has spent decades refining his technique under master instructors in both traditional and competitive karate. He founded Shoya Kai Seattle to bring authentic karate-do to the Pacific Northwest — a place where serious students of every age can train without compromise.
His teaching style is demanding yet patient: precision in form, respect in conduct, and confidence through repetition. Above all, he believes karate must shape character first and athletes second.
National
Champion & Coach
Dan Rank
Senior Black Belt
Years
20+ Teaching
Coaching Philosophy
“The dojo is a mirror. What you bring in — focus, courage, humility — is what karate gives back to you, sharpened.”
— Sensei Yaroslav
Experience
- Decades of competitive sparring
- National team coaching
- International seminars
Specialties
- Traditional kata & bunkai
- Sport kumite strategy
- Youth athlete development
Achievements
- Senior dan rank
- Multiple championship medals
- Recognized referee credentials