Your Black-Belt Journey Starts Here.
A fun, encouraging beginner class where students learn Songahm Taekwondo one skill—and one victory—at a time.
Your first class is free. No YMCA membership required. YMCA members save 50% on session fees.
Everyone Starts as a White Belt
No one walks into their first class already knowing what to do. We use fun, engaging teaching techniques to help new students build coordination, focus, confidence and strong martial arts fundamentals.
Progress comes through practice, patience and the decision to keep showing up. That is why one of our favorite sayings is that a black belt is simply a white belt who never gave up.
Simple, Clear Pricing
Try martial arts at Kirksville ATA before you enroll. No experience or YMCA membership required.
Regular rate. Sessions typically last six to eight weeks.
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 FreeWhat Is Songahm Taekwondo?
Songahm means “pine tree and rock.” The image fits the martial artist’s journey: a beginner starts like a seed and grows through patient, consistent training while developing a strong foundation.
We Begin and End with the Songahm Spirit
It is nice to have a rhythm to life—and to know what to expect when you step onto the training floor. Every class begins and ends with students reciting the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo together. The opening reminds us how we will treat one another while we train. The closing reminds us how we want to live after we leave.
Sir!
I will practice in the Spirit of Taekwondo,
with courtesy for fellow students,
loyalty for my instructor,
and respect for my juniors and seniors.
Sir!
Sir!
I shall live with perseverance in the Spirit of Taekwondo,
having honor with others,
integrity within myself,
and self-control in my actions.
Sir!
A Typical Class Rhythm
Every class is a little different, but students can generally expect these four parts as we build skills, confidence and fitness together.
Warmups
We begin moving with active stretching and physical conditioning to prepare our bodies for training.
Bag Drills
Students learn and practice hand and foot strikes with a partner holding a bag or on our large upright bags.
Form Work
We practice the stances, blocks, strikes and kicks that make up our Songahm Taekwondo forms.
Sparring or Weapons
We generally finish our training time with age- and rank-appropriate sparring or martial arts weapons work.
Songahm 1
A form—also called a poome-sae or pattern—is a planned sequence of martial arts movements. In beginner class, students learn the first pattern, Songahm 1, through clear steps, repetition, games and plenty of encouragement.
Forms help students connect individual techniques into purposeful movement while practicing control, balance and attention to detail.
White Belt to Green Belt
Each belt marks meaningful progress, but the real goal is the person you become along the way.
Each six-to-eight-week session ends with an opportunity to test for your next rank, giving you a clear goal and a regular opportunity to advance. Students progress at their own pace with coaching from instructors who want them to succeed in class, at home and in the Kirksville community. Promotion is earned through testing, rather than automatic.
Come as You Are. Start Today.
Wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle and join us for a Tuesday or Thursday beginner class. No martial arts or sports experience is needed.