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We offer what we believe is the best martial art in the world. Taekwondo is an exciting and powerful martial art known for its dynamic kicking and hand techniques. Although these martial art techniques are centuries old, our programs are always evolving to keep pace with the rapidly changing world.
We realize that each student possesses different physical abilities. Size and strength vary with each individual. Once you have acquired a strong foundation in the basics, our program will enhance your physical capabilities and maximize your self-defense skills. You will understand exactly what it takes, mentally and physically, to defend yourself or your loved ones should the need ever arise.
At the Dickinson's Black Belt Academy, we are not interested in just teaching self-defense, we are interested in the complete personal development of each student. Individual attention is a feature of each and every class, allowing all students to progress quickly and confidently toward their personal goals. Our instructors take their responsibility seriously as role models for younger students, teaching them the importance of strong character, leadership and good values.
The teaching curriculum at the Dickinson's Black Belt Academy is based on two concepts: "positive mental attitude" and "high goal setting." We feel so positive about this program that we promise to give you and your family the most professional, well supervised and the highest quality classes available in any sport or art.
If you want to learn more about our Taekwondo programs, send us an email or call (801) 840-1636.
About Songahm Taekwondo
The "Songahm Star" is the pattern that is formed on the ground if all 18 forms of the Songahm system are completed.
In a perfect Songahm Star, the distance from the center point of the star to the top point is nine feet ("feet" being the student's foot length).
The total distance from the top point to the bottom point equals 18 feet, representing the number of forms in the Songahm system.
To view the compass forms, click here.
"Martial Art" is a broad term encompassing the many styles of physical discipline (fighting) arts that have been developed over the centuries. To say that the style of Songahm Taekwondo is just another "martial art" would be an oversimplified explanation of the world's largest centrally administered martial art. This system of teaching and training is unequaled in the martial arts community.
During its early years, the ATA used the Chahng-hun style of forms (also used by the International Taekwondo Federation). But although this style was widely accepted in the Taekwondo community, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee felt that its forms did not accurately reflect Taekwondo -- particularly the strength and beauty of Taekwondo kicking techniques. As a result, he believed the forms contributed little to the Taekwondo curriculum. For example, white belts were expected to know front kicks and side kicks, but no front kick appeared until the third (yellow belt) form, and there was no side kick until the form after that!
From 1983 to 1990, Eternal Grand Master introduced the eighteen Songahm forms. These forms are part of a fully-integrated curriculum, in which everything a student learns reinforces everything else. The forms contain all or nearly all of the techniques that students are expected to know at each rank, the one-step sparring segments complement the forms, and all of these patterns lead logically to the movements required for each succeeding rank.
The Songahm curriculum facilitates a smooth progression from one rank to the next, so that students who begin Taekwondo feeling they'll never be able to do a simple block (for example) suddenly find themselves a few years later doing 360-degree jumping kicks with ease.
Songahm Taekwondo also focuses on personal development of the mind and body. To say it is just self-defense would be to lose most of the valuable ideas and philosophy behind this ancient art.
The heightened capacity for self-defense resulting from our Taekwondo is really a fringe benefit that is gained by dedicating one's self to the values, philosophy and training of Songahm Taekwondo. When learning, a student is in a true, traditional Taekwondo class, focusing not just on the physical but also on discipline, honor, self-control, respect, courtesy, perseverance and loyalty.
A beginner does not focus on being a skilled martial artist within a month or two, as a strong foundation in Taekwondo must be built first. Trying to advance beyond your level without proper guidance is like building a house on concrete that has not dried. Though the house may still stand, the foundation would not be as strong and the appearance of the house may not be as presentable.
The ATA and its affiliated organizations help build a strong foundation of Songahm Taekwondo in each of its members, a foundation from which advancement in both the martial art (mind and body) and in self defense can be built and added on to in perpetuity.
Meet our Staff
Mr. James Dickinson
Mr. James Dickinson is a 5th Degree Blackbelt with over 19 years of Martial arts experience and 9 years of teaching experience with students excelling at all ranks and ages by focusing on life skills not only does he teach his students to excel in martial arts but also in everyday life.
Mr. Matt Gwynn - 4th Degree Blackbelt
Mr. Hudson - 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Ms. Wright - 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Ms. Tori Peterson - 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Building Blocks
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement:
Goals
Goal Setting
"Today Not Possible. Tomorrow Possible."
"A Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step."
A goal is not a goal until you write it down, but is simply a wish. Take a few moments to write down the goals you intend to achieve during your Taekwondo training. Whether they are physical, mental, material or career goals, be as specific as possible when describing them and review them on a regular basis. Be sure to include the dates you expect to achieve each belt rank, your long term martial arts goals, and at least three personal goals and when you expect to achieve them.
Students In Action
More Than Just Martial Arts - We're a Social Group
Parties, Bunko, etc.
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James Dickinson's Black Belt Academy
Goals