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My family has been with McDonough ATA for several years now and we love it! The staff here is very friendly and Ms. Johnson especially is very helpful and goes out of her way to answer questions and give help wherever and whenever needed.
If you want your child to defend themselves against all the challenges that life will bring them as they grow and develop, you need to enroll in this school. I am especially impressed with their "Leadership Program". This school doesn't just teach students to "pass" which is what it seems our youth only cares about... this school raises the bar and tells it's students to go beyond "passing" and EXCEL.
The staff is highly qualified and makes a point to get to know every student individually. They are genuinely concerned that each student is achieving their maximum potential. They are very organized and the studio is kept clean. They also offer numerous other activities that are fun and even offer parent's night out.
My kids have gained so much from going there. They are more respectful and have gained so much self-confidence. I would recommend ATA of McDonough to anyone wanting to take martial arts. My daughter just had her birthday party there in the staff was wonderful. They made her feel so special. Thanks ATA!!!
This place is a great place for kids of all ages and adults. Very family oriented even if you are just a parent not taking classes you are invited to watch and kept informed of all things going on. Very patient staff and teachers are phenomenal with the fact that all kids/people learn differently and they teach individually while still keeping the group learning as a whole. Walked into the building on a whim and ended up letting my daughter take classes for 4 years and becoming a 2nd degree black belt. She was strong willed stubborn and kinda hard to teach however all the teachers and staff were patient and kept calm helping her to learn respect and to follow rules and also respect to others who may not learn as quick as her so in the end she became a leader willing to help other struggling students. Highly recommend anyone thinking about taking classes to check this place out.
We've been with McDonough ATA for a year now and the growth and positive changes we've seen are incredible. Our family have noticed the changes and have copied what we are doing in one way or another. Staff is great, friendly, and their families are a part of the Black Belt journey as well. Talk about putting your mouth where your money is. Gold Star
We absolutely adore this studio. My daughter is 4 and she loves her karate instructors and everything she learns! Today they learned about what to do if someone tries to kidnap them and I think it is absolutely wonderful that they teach this! The people are wonderful! I also am so happy that they are so accepting of all cultures. My daughter has two moms and they are more than welcoming of it!
My kids love ATA! My 7 year old is in the after-school program and begs to attend every camp and parents night out. A four-year-old has already told me he wants to join the after-school program next year when he starts kindergarten. They have both learned so much: martial arts, anti-bullying, self-defense, respect, discipline, and more. I love seeing the look of accomplishment on their faces every time they advance to the next belt. They love their instructors and the friends they have met along the way. What a great experience!
My son and I have been attending this school for about three years now. Great people, great curriculum, ATA rocks
My son is 7 years old and last month marked one year he has been enrolled in classes. McDonough ATA is about so much more than learning cool karate moves. For example, the oath they begin and end class with..."I promise to be a good person, to have knowledge in my mind, honesty in my heart, strength in my body, and make good friends." McDonough ATA and the wonderful instructors reinforce everything (and more) that we are teaching our son at home. Core values...honesty, loyalty, manners, tolerance, commitment, perseverance, discipline, self-confidence, encouragement, empathy, citizenship...I could go on! Not to mention the friendships and bonds he has formed with his classmates...priceless. ATA McDonough excels in molding and creating good people to be our country's future leaders.
As the holiday season approaches, many parents find themselves in a familiar predicament. The bustling holiday schedule, family gatherings, and the overall chaos that can accompany this time of year often lead parents to consider pulling their kids out of extracurricular activities, including martial arts classes. It’s understandable; the holidays are a busy and […]
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss “Going, going, going… ALL. DAY. LONG!” Oh the years of 5-6! Abounding energy at a level that could power New York City, as my husband and I often joke about our youngest, […]
5 Ways a Parent Can Encourage & Guide their child in Martial Arts Martial arts is an activity that can provide children with a range of physical, mental and social benefits. As parents, it is important to provide encouragement and guidance to ensure that children get the most out of their martial arts classes. […]
How Does Martial Arts Improve School Grades Martial Arts is an ancient art of self-defense. It has been around for centuries and is still practiced today as a form of self-improvement. From physical to mental benefits, martial arts can be a great way to help improve overall health and concentration levels, which can lead to […]
Our STORM Team, JR Instructors and Legacy members have to be showing upward trends of showing good grades to help in classes and camps. Their example in working through their challenges, struggles, setbacks, victories, and comfort zones are the center of their ability to positively influence and lead others. After Spring Break, there are more and […]
Practicing martial arts is not only a great way to stay physically fit, but it can also improve your mental health in a number of ways. Through the practice of martial arts, you can gain confidence, develop discipline, manage stress, and cultivate respect for yourself and others. The physical practice of martial arts helps to […]
Goal setting is an essential part of achieving success in any endeavor. It involves setting clear and measurable goals, making a plan to reach them, and staying motivated to see it through. For children in particular, goal setting is an invaluable skill that can help them succeed in school and beyond. Martial arts can be […]
As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]
Addicted to Technology??? Lots of kids these days are addicted to technology. And for good reason: It’s constant stimulation, at the click of a button. But is it healthy? Many psychologists don’t think so. It tends to isolate kids, and make ordinary life seem dull and boring. It also tends to reduce imagination. After all, […]
MIND YOUR MANNERS Making Proper Behavior a Habit As parents, we start teaching our toddlers to say “please” and “thank you” very early on. And luckily, once they enter a Songahm classroom as an ATA Tiger or Karate Kid, they learn more about showing respect toward their peers and adults. Though the children recite the […]
Having the Right Mindset at any Rank Your sister is annoying you. You’ve door poorly on a math test. You forgot to take out the recycling. Now, you’re at Taekwondo and you have to do a difficult board break that you’ve never done before. What’s an ATA student to do in the face of all […]
Why You Need Upper-Body Strength and Power It’s no secret that for strong punches, crisp strikes and total body fitness— and the martial artist’s need for speed—it’s essential to build powerful arms. Of course, strong arms affect the efficacy of your punches and blocks—not to mention to fluidity of your form—but did you know that […]
Good Friends Are Good for Your Health Every single day, Sr. Master Janelle Gleisner talks to good friends she’s made in ATA. Now that she is a member of the ATA headquarters staff, she has the luxury of talking to even more. But it’s not just about doing her job. She says the personal relationships […]
Expert Tips to Improve Your Training Stamina Whether you are attending your Monday Taekwondo class or chasing a toddler around your house, we can all use a little more endurance to get us from point A to point B in our daily routines. Then you add in competing at tournaments and giving your all during […]
Making Proper Behavior a Habit As parents, we start teaching our toddlers to say “please” and “thank you” very early on. And luckily, once they enter a Songahm classroom as an ATA Tiger or Karate Kid, they learn more about showing respect toward their peers and adults. Though the children recite the words, it is […]
Use Life Skills to Keep Your Device in Check As a martial artist, courtesy and respect should be second nature. “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir” roll off the tongue without hesitation, and you don’t think twice about holding the door for an elder. But what happens when you step off the mat and pick up […]
Protein is an essential part of human life. You have it in every cell, muscle, and organ in your body. You need it for growth, for strength and for energy. This means that it is also an essential part of our diets—particularly for athletes who want to stay strong and sharp. “In general, protein is […]
Executing Control of Techniques Under Pressure Want to look your best at your next testing? Maybe you want to be a World Champion one day? Along with the gear, the practice and the perseverance, you’ll also need balance. No matter where you are in your Songahm training, keeping tuned to your body and mastering control […]
Take Steps to be an ATA STRONG Family The new school year is just around the corner, and this is a time when families begin establishing schedules and building routines. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we tend to get drained, but one way that you can keep your goals for this school […]
Summer Break Doesn’t Have to Mean a Break from Training Summer break is here, but that doesn’t mean a break from the healthy habits you’ve been practicing in your daily life as part of your Taekwondo training. As a martial artist, you should stay focused on fueling your body with the right nutrients and maintain […]
SMART SNACKS Food that Boosts Your Brainpower Back to school is in full force, which means parents and students are filling their schedules with homework, ATA training and more. Between learning new math equations and trying to master your Taekwondo form, it’s a good idea to add foods to your diet that improve brain […]
R.E.S.P.E.CT The Life Skill that Empowers You and Others When you look at the Leadership life skills, one stands out for being important—not just in your own Songahm journey— but it also affects those around you. That life skill is RESPECT. “It’s not what you say; it’s what you do.” There are many levels to […]
Tweak Your Summer Taekwondo Travel with These Tips Whether you’re driving three hours across the state to Districts or flying five hours across the country for the World Expo— traveling can be stressful. And add a few kids, lots of Taekwondo gear and all other necessities to the equation and you’ve just compounded the stress […]
KEEP CALM Smile in the Face of Tournament Jitters Everywhere you look, there are posters, T-shirts, mugs and magnets all proclaiming pop culture’s mantra to “Keep Calm.” With the last weekend of regional tournaments, Districts and Worlds right upon us, though, that is easier said than done. Stress, anxiety and nervousness are a part […]
Have you ever become so comfortable that it made you afraid of change? It’s easy to do. As adults, we become so comfortable in our lives that we become afraid of change. Or is it not change we are afraid of, but what we perceive as possibility of failure? Children are so open […]
The Secret to Getting What You Want Let’s be honest. When you hear the word “discipline,” chances are you don’t get all warm and fuzzy inside. In ATA, we say it means “to obey what is right.” A dictionary definition uses terms such as “proper behavior.” When you refer to discipline, you don’t usually hear […]
Life Skill that is an Essential Building Block to Success Some days, it’s tough to get out of bed. Some days it’s tough to focus on school, training, progress on that homework project or on completing chores at home. That’s when discipline comes in. Discipline is one of the life skills we emphasize in the […]
9 Ways You Can Control Your Success in 2020 Want to change the world and make a difference? Want to win big at work, at fitness and at your relationships? Let’s listen to Grand Master In Ho Lee’s advice and take a long look in the mirror because true change starts from within. Here […]
Whether its to improve behavior at school, hold one self more accountable, taking initiative, or becoming more responsible, karate for children is the answer. In the beginning, discipline challenges with children stem from lack of confidence, and self esteem struggles where motivation is lacking to achieve in the discipline arena. Through martial arts, many […]
Raising the Heart Rate to Raise Performance Runners refer to it as “the kick.” It’s the moment at the very end of a race when they burst out with everything they’ve got, pushing as hard as they can to reach the finish line ahead of their opponents. After a long race a runner’s kick can […]
Why Your Kids Should Be in Martial Arts? When you turn on the television or head to the movie theater with your family, you may notice a kickin’ new trend- martial arts are gaining in popularity! Though there are many different styles around the world, one of the most attractive for kids and adults is […]
Leadership is not only a quality, but a responsibility. At McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy, we encourage our students to step up to the challenge. There is much more to martial arts training than just kicks and punches. Students learn management skills to apply to life and learn how to be leaders rather than followers, […]
Having the Right Mindset at any Rank Your sister is annoying you. You’ve door poorly on a math test. You forgot to take out the recycling. Now, you’re at Taekwondo and you have to do a difficult board break that you’ve never done before. What’s an ATA student to do in the face of all […]
R.E.S.P.E.CT The Life Skill that Empowers You and Others When you look at the Leadership life skills, one stands out for being important—not just in your own Songahm journey— but it also affects those around you. That life skill is RESPECT. “It’s not what you say; it’s what you do.” There are many levels to […]
SMART SNACKS Food that Boosts Your Brainpower Back to school is in full force, which means parents and students are filling their schedules with homework, ATA training and more. Between learning new math equations and trying to master your Taekwondo form, it’s a good idea to add foods to your diet that improve brain […]
Defeating Life’s Opponents Beliefs- One Way To Defeat Your Biggest Opponent One of the hardest struggles we have in life is overcoming limiting beliefs. Our decision and actions start with our mindset and beliefs. It’s not what you say out loud from your mouth that determines the direction of your life, but what you whisper […]
Addicted to Technology??? Lots of kids these days are addicted to technology. And for good reason: It’s constant stimulation, at the click of a button. But is it healthy? Many psychologists don’t think so. It tends to isolate kids, and make ordinary life seem dull and boring. It also tends to reduce imagination. After all, […]
Martial arts for children is a wonderful solution to obesity. Every child participates mentally, physically, and emotionally and your child is on the team to become Black Belts in Life. Learning is team work and no one is left behind. It’s not uncommon for most kids to forget that they are exercising or working out […]