What Is ATA Taekwondo? A Lexington Parent's Guide
By Chief Master Eric Moberly · Moberly's ATA Martial Arts, Lexington, KY
ATA Taekwondo is the Songahm style of Taekwondo taught at licensed ATA Martial Arts schools. Founded in 1969, the ATA gives every licensed school a standardized curriculum, certified instructors and a rank system recognized from school to school.
Where ATA Martial Arts Comes From
ATA Martial Arts began as the American Taekwondo Association, founded in 1969 by Grand Master H. U. Lee. Its headquarters has been in Little Rock, Arkansas, since 1977. Today, licensed ATA schools across the United States and in other countries all teach from the same playbook.
What Does "Songahm" Mean?
The style taught at ATA schools is called Songahm Taekwondo. Songahm means "pine tree and rock." Students are compared to a pine tree: a white belt is a seed, and a black belt is a strong, deep-rooted tree. Training includes forms, sparring, one-steps, self-defense, board breaking, weapons and leadership.
How ATA Belt Ranks Work
The ATA colored belt series has nine ranks: white, orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown and red. Nine smaller goals keep kids motivated, because there's always a next step within reach. After the colored belts, the black belt series also has nine degrees. Master titles such as Master, Senior Master and Chief Master are earned separately through years of testing.
Why a Licensed ATA School Matters for Your Family
- Certified instructors. ATA instructors complete formal instructor training.
- A consistent curriculum. The forms and requirements your child learns in Lexington are the same ones taught at ATA schools elsewhere.
- Portable rank. If your family moves, your child's belt is recognized at other ATA schools.
- A bigger stage. Students can compete in ATA tournaments, from local events up to the World Championships.
ATA Taekwondo in Lexington
Moberly's ATA Martial Arts is a licensed ATA school at 501 Darby Creek in east Lexington, led by Chief Master Eric Moberly (9th Degree) and Chief Master Julie Moberly (8th Degree). Children start at age 4 in ATA Tigers, move into Karate for Kids at 7, and teens and adults train in Teen & Adult Taekwondo.