Memorial Day Camp

We had such a great turn out for the Memorial Day camp. The students practiced basics, worked on speed and power drills, and then got time to free spar against people bigger than them, smaller, and the same size. It was a taste of how awesome our summer camps are going to be this year. We've really got some awesome future world champions training here!

Vince Johnson at ATA West Chester!

Some of our dedicated XMA-ers spend 4 hours training with an awesome instructor, Vince Johnson. We went to Mr. Jouan and Ms. Boulden's ATA school in West Chester, PA. A lot of the people at the seminar were beginners but some were intermediate and advanced too. ATA Elkton was well represented by Cody McDaniel and Ty Moyer accompanying Mr. Hayhurst for the camp. Ty is awesome with his Tricks (which are the high-flying martial arts moves that cna be added into forms or done in combinations) and used the seminar to make his better. Cody is new to tricking and did a private lesson with Mr. Johnson afterwards. Cody went from spinning 360 with his kicks to almossstttt being able to spin 900 and do a kick

For anyone who doesn't know, tricking is what makes martial arts athletes the best. Someone once said, "My friend can skateboard and jump off a ramp and do a 720 spin." I said, "well my 10 year old student can do that too, but he does a hook kick before he hits the ground and hits a target 6 feet in the air." Tricking is special because it seems like the athletes truly defy gravity. Check out our Youtube page: ATAELKTON

Ssahng Nat/ Kama Seminar

ATA Elkton students who were beginner and advanced that wanted to learn how to perform with the Kamas had a great time at the Kama seminar today! They learned rolls, chops, punches, and some other cool moves. We put them into different combinations and then learned that we can put the combos together to make a form that can be used to show off to our friends and compete in tournaments! At the end, we had a team battle (Team Hayhurst definitely beat Team Fox though :) Check out the picture!!

The Teachers Only Class

Today we had about 4 teachers come and take class at ATA. They learned 3 self defense moves based on the grab. It was a great opportunity for our SWAT and Instructor Leaders to work on their teaching skills with new people. We will hold another teachers-only class for any teachers that missed the first one. Check out the picture!

Cleaning and Updating

ATA Elkton is coming up on its 4 year anniversary and its time that we update a few things. This weekend, the Hayhurst family started the huge ultra-cleaning process by stacking up the red and black Zebra Mats. We scrubbed the concrete floor underneath and steam cleaned the mats individually and scrubbed the bottoms before lining them back up. The dots on the floor have been removed to make room for an updated design. We take pride in our awesome martial arts school. There is so much space to work out on and the mats are top of the line. Before the end of the summer, the walls will be painted and some of the posters and decals will be updated.

Cecilton Fun and Fitness Day CANCELLED!

We were supposed to be in charge of the ATA station at Cecilton Elementary School's Fun & Fitness Day today but it got rained out! That's ok, if there are any moms or kids out there with friends that go to Cecilton Elementary we'll give them a free uniform and 2 week trial since we couldn't make it down today!

Mother's Day classes!

Today was our 9th annual Mother's Day classes! We had a lot of moms come out on the floor and train with their kids. We did a light workout, basic Taekwondo techniques, self defense, and positive coaching drills that parents can use to make training at home more pleasurable. We even had moms do the ABCs of Praise! Thank you to all the moms that participated today, you are awesome! I want to give out a special thanks to Martin's in Rising Sun for donating a $10 gift card to our Mother's Day classes moms and giving us a discount on all of the flowers and water for today's event.

Next week, any mom that comes to the ATAfit class on Monday and Wednesday will be entered in a drawing to win movie tickets just in time for the new Shrek Movie!!

Dolce Restaurant & Pizzeria

Today is May 1st! Any ATA students and family members that go down the street to 175 Fletchwood road in Elkton to visit our friends at Dolce Restaurant & Pizzeria will receive 10% off of their breakfast check and 15% off of their lunch or dinner!

Also, I heard that my friend Wayne Gonce will be there performing today! He's an amazing magician and is getting ready for a big show at Elkton High School in July before he makes his big move out to California.