Meet our instructors…
Sensei Greg Sommers-Herivel
Sensei Herivel began his study at the Washington Karate Association before joining the Northwest School of Karate in 2003. He has over 20 years of experience in Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu.
Sensei Herivel holds a third degree black belt (sandan) in Hayashi Ha Shito-Ryu. He started as an assistant instructor in the Northwest School of Karate shortly after he joined. He has been an instructor at the NWSK since 2005.
Elena Yager
Sensei Elena Yager is honored to be able to assist in the instruction of Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu. She loves teaching and getting to work with all of the wonderful students who come through the door. By day, senpai Elena is an attorney with the Northwest Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. As such, she brings a unique perspective and knowledge base to the Northwest School of Karate
Sabrina
Senpai Sabrina was introduced to martial arts at six years old, and over the next nine years, she trained in Goju-Ryu, Hapkido, and Shito-Ryu Karate.
Sabrina has a strong passion for learning and is motivated to stay committed to Sensei and her practice and work toward future success in mental and physical strength. Discipline, Focus, Loyalty, Respect, Compassion, and Honor are at the core of her values which have been traits she has learned during her journey in Karate. She enjoys offering team spirit to the dojo and support to Sensei Sommers-Herivel as an instructor to people of all ages.
Apprentice Instructors
Northwest School of Karate carries on the tradition of apprenticeship teaching. We call upon students to teach classes for their education as part of their own karate journey. Teaching not only develops our apprentice instructors’ understanding of karate, but also develops their leadership skills. Leading class is not a responsibility given lightly and every assistant instructor is held to a high standard.
Students who have access to instruction from multiple perspectives and communication styles benefit greatly. Because our apprentice instructors share their own learning experiences students more easily push through roadblocks. The unique way an apprentice instructor explains a movement might be exactly what a particular student needs to hear for a breakthrough in understanding. Not only does apprenticeship teaching lead to students’ progress, but it also makes everyone’s karate journey richer. Students are inspired by instruction from their fellow students because they know they can work towards becoming instructors themselves.
Peter
Peter loves using the weapons in karate and has found they just get more fun with the more experience you have with them. In addition to karate, Pete plays saxophone for his school band and enjoys tennis. Pete likes learning about the sciences in school, particularly biology and chemistry. He has two cats, Princess and SuperCAT who make each day better. His favorite color is red.
Miho
Miho‘s favorite thing about karate is how there’s always new things to learn! Their favorite food is dark chocolate because, “you can never go wrong with it.”
Kristine Brecht
Kristine loves connecting purpose to Karate poses and the philosophy behind the practice. She enjoys learning the different Kata(s). Kata(s) are like a form of moving meditation to her, combining a series of Karate poses in a functional order to teach precision, purpose and speed.
With a back ground in Yoga and Karate, Kristine enjoys the compliment of strength, flexibility, discipline and coordination that comes from both.
The camaraderie to learn, teach and practice in efforts to elevate all is a strength that Kristine enjoys from NW School of Karate.
Shana Schorsh
Shana began studying martial arts in 1993. Her background includes more than a decade of training in ITF-style Taekwondo, as well as years of training in the Tsun Jo style of Kung Fu and some knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She firmly believes that all styles bring something to the table and that each can contribute to the others.
Jackson
Jackson is proud that he has been consistently keeping his grades up. He enjoys sports, and out of all the sports that he has done Track is his favorite. Jackson made it to regionals in his very first year of track! He has a great personality and works very well with kids.
Micaela Pearson
Senpai Micaela is grateful to teach at Northwest School of Karate and to learn Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu from Sensei Herivel. Micaela trained with Sensei Kimura Hargis in Shotokan and enjoys the student-teacher connection as an assistant instructor.
Juliana
Jula loves the physical activity of Karate. She loves sparring because it is fun. She loves the amazing opportunity to teach others. Her hobbies include shopping with my mom and working on her flexibility. She really likes eating tacos. Her favorite colors are purple and black. Black outlines everything.
Shane Baguyo
Shane really enjoys kumite in Karate. He also appreciates trying out different techniques and learning how to manage his distance. He is applying foot sweeps and takedowns in his sparring. He also trains in Judo, which has been helpful to his Karate practice. He has a big heart for dogs.
Anh
Anh admires the broad range and never ending things to learn when it comes to karate. She enjoys make art and music, and plays the piano, drums, and keyboard. She loves animals, just not insects.
Juliet
Juliet loves learning about karate, especially tricks for self defense, weapons and kata. Her hobbies include watching TV, playing guitar, listening to music and dance. She especially enjoys bonding with the other karate instructors and teaching kids karate.