Kirksville, Missouri

World-Class Martial Arts Training. Brought Home to Kirksville.

Family-focused martial arts that develops confidence, discipline and strength—for kids, teens and adults.

Your first class is free. No YMCA membership required. YMCA members save 50% on session fees.

Try Your First Class Free Call 660-216-7682

ClassesTuesday & Thursday

AgesPreschool through Adult

AtmospherePositive & Family-Focused

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Class Schedule

We meet twice each week at the Adair County Family YMCA. New students begin with the 3:40 class and may register at the YMCA front desk.

New here? Start in the 3:40–4:25 PM beginner class. Comfortable clothes and a willingness to learn are all you need for your first visit.

3:20–3:40 PM

Black Belt TrainingFocused forms, technique and conditioning for black belts. Explore black-belt training.

3:40–4:25 PM

Beginning & Developing StudentsWhite belts through green belts. This is where new students begin. Explore the beginner class.

4:25–4:35 PM

Master ClubWeapons and sparring training for most ranks.

4:25–5:30 PM

High-Rank TrainingPurple belts and above begin with Master Club and continue through 5:30. Explore high-rank training.

Your first class is free

Simple, Clear Pricing

Try martial arts at Kirksville ATA before you enroll. No experience or YMCA membership required.

$100 per session

Regular rate. Sessions typically last six to eight weeks.

$50 per session

YMCA member rate. Save 50% on session fees.

A Clear Opportunity to Advance

Each session typically lasts six to eight weeks and ends with an opportunity to test for your next rank. This gives students a regular goal to work toward and families a clear advancement rhythm. Rank advancement is earned through testing, rather than automatic at the end of a session. Beginner belt testing costs $25 per test, separate from session fees.

Uniform: $50 one-time purchase.
Beginner belt testing: $25 per test, charged separately from session fees.

Beginners meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:40–4:25 PM, at the Adair County Family YMCA. Wear comfortable clothing for your free first class. When you’re ready to enroll, register at the YMCA front desk.

Try Your First Class Free

Find your class

Programs for Every Stage

Every student trains at an age-appropriate level while learning the habits that lead toward black belt and beyond.

A young Kirksville ATA martial artist practicing with a staff

01All Kids’ Ages

Martial Arts Kids (MAK)

ATA International’s kids program meets children at their age and skill level while building coordination, confidence, perseverance, respect and self-control.

See our white-through-green beginner class →

Children, teens and adults enjoying an ATA class together

02Teens & Adults

ATA Martial Arts

Progressive training for fitness, practical skill, focus and personal growth—whether you begin alone or as a family.

A Kirksville ATA student demonstrating a strong Songahm Taekwondo stance

03Purple Belt & Above

High-Rank Training

More autonomy, direct coaching and individual goals as advanced students train together toward black belt and beyond.

Explore high-rank training →

A student celebrating the achievement of black belt with Mr. Jorden

04Black Belts

Black-Belt Training

Twenty focused minutes for forms, advanced technique or conditioning specific to a black belt’s ability and needs.

Explore black-belt training →

Our story

ATA Is All About Family

Chief Instructor Benjamin Jorden began training in ATA Martial Arts while living in Chicago, when his oldest son joined a preschool martial arts program. Today, the Jorden family trains and teaches together here in Kirksville.

You, your kids or your whole family are welcome to become stronger, more disciplined versions of yourselves.

Visit a Tuesday or Thursday class, meet new friends and begin working toward a meaningful goal: black belt and beyond.

Read Our Story

Benjamin Jorden and a young ATA martial artist in uniform

Your instructors

Meet the Instructor Team

Certified ATA instructors who know what it is like to begin as a new student—and who are ready to help you take the next step.

Mr. Benjamin Jorden

Chief Instructor & Owner

Level 3 Chief Instructor with ATA Martial Arts International.

Mrs. Karis Jorden

Instructor & Owner

Second-degree black belt and Level 1 Certified Legacy Instructor, helping students on their journey to black belt.

Mr. Chris Peterson

Instructor

Chris was part of the first class we held in Kirksville and has since earned his second-degree black belt. One of our most precise instructors, he is an engineer by trade, a musician by passion and a martial artist by practice.

Mr. Elias Jorden

Instructor

A high school junior who has trained since age six, Elias is a second-degree black belt preparing to test for his third degree.

Mr. Hezekiah Jorden

Instructor

Hezekiah began ATA Martial Arts as a Tiny Tiger at barely four years old. Now a high school freshman and first-degree black belt, he is also a thespian who loves meeting new students. Find him at the school and say hi!

Your first class

What to Expect

A young beginning student celebrating with Mr. Jorden

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your first class. After that, you can order a dobok—the traditional ATA martial arts uniform.

Do I need martial arts or sports experience?

No experience is needed. We work with every student using the abilities they have and help them grow from there.

Can parents stay during class?

Absolutely. Parents are welcome to drop their children off, watch class, or join the fun and take class alongside their kids.

Which class should a new student attend?

New students begin in the white-through-green-belt class from 3:40–4:25 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register at the Adair County Family YMCA front desk.

When can students advance to the next rank?

At the end of every six-to-eight-week session, students have an opportunity to test for their next rank. Advancement is earned through testing; it is not automatic. Beginner belt tests cost $25 per test, charged separately.

How much do classes cost?

Sessions typically last six to eight weeks and cost $100, or $50 for YMCA members. A uniform is a $50 one-time purchase. Beginner belt testing is $25 per test, charged separately. Your first class is free, and no YMCA membership is required.

Our training home

Find Us at the Y

Kirksville ATA Martial Arts is proud to hold classes at the Adair County Family YMCA—a familiar, community-centered place where local families can learn and grow together.

Adair County Family YMCA
1708 South Jamison Street
Kirksville, MO 63501

Visit the YMCA Website Get Directions

Our home at the Y

Ready to begin?

Try Your First Class Free

Your first class is free, and YMCA membership isn’t required. Tell us who is interested in training. We’ll follow up with everything you need for your first visit.

Kirksville ATA Martial Arts660-216-7682 Kirksvilleatamartialarts@gmail.comAdair County Family YMCA
1708 South Jamison Street, Kirksville, MO

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