Midtown ATA Martial Arts Photo Slideshow
By: Michael G. Lander
Cooper-Young's Midtown ATA Martial Arts teaches Taekwondo, leadership development and more
There is at least one business on the outskirts of Cooper-Young that is interested in creating tomorrow's leaders, while building self-esteem, self-confidence, and teaching self-defense.
From the training mats that line the floor inside their building at 2166 Central Ave., instructors at Midtown ATA Martial Arts strive to train and equip their students of all ages, from 3 years and older, in more than just Taekwondo.
With trained and certified instructors in a martial art that originated in Korea, instructor director Melanie Anderson and master instructor Patty Lovett teach their students about a sport that integrates combat techniques, self-defense, and physical fitness training, combining speed with flexibility, power, and self-control.
"We offer the highest quality martial arts training and our leadership development results in a strong body, mind, moral compass, and an ability to excel," Lovett said.
Midtown ATA Martial Arts, which is a member of the Cooper-Young Business Association, moved to its current location on Central Avenue in August 2007. The decision for them to do this was quite simple. "The location and facility was perfect for our needs and we love the diversity of the area and the demographics met our business plan," Anderson said. Also, by being in the Cooper-Young area, they thought that they would be in the center of town and easily accessed from a large variety of neighborhoods.
Midtown ATA Martial Arts is part of the world's largest single martial arts association that is independently owned and operated. They offer a comprehensive martial arts training program, including Taekwondo, self-defense, and bullying prevention. In addition to this, "We train in Taekwondo, joint lock, pressure point control tactics, disruptive student management, sexual harassment and rape prevention, weapons disarming, and cardio kickboxing," Anderson said.
Midtown ATA offers classes Monday through Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11 a.m. They also offer classes for 3-to 5-year-olds at 5:30 on Tuesdays through Thursdays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
While the number of students fluctuate throughout the year, they currently have between 78 to 96 students. The cost of membership can run between $85 to $125 depending on the training program that a member receives. They offer discounts for family members.
"Midtown ATA Martial Arts classes are all family classes, which makes it possible for the entire family to actually train together," Anderson said. "This is an excellent way for adults to spend time with their children and help relieve stress," Lovett added.
Amy Butler, from Collierville, and her children, Bryson, 13, and Brynna, 10, are all enrolled together as a family at Midtown ATA. Bryson was the first to join when he was 5 years old. Brynna joined in April and Amy signed up in September of this year.
"I like Midtown ATA because Master Lovett and Instructor Director Anderson have such a gift for working with kids," Butler said. "Through their leadership my son has learned the value of working with kids with special needs and being able to stand up and be a leader. Master Lovett and Ms. Anderson have life examples for their students and always take advantage of teachable moments. I wouldn't dream of having my family study under anyone else," Butler said.
Midtown ATA accepts all students , including those who are in wheelchairs, with Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, and strives to mainstream them into their regular classes.
"We are a preferred vendor for the Memphis City Schools," Lovett said. They have both attended the Olweus Bullying Prevention Course, are CPR certified, and received annual background checks.
Lovett is a 6th degree black belt and was elevated to her current rank in June 2012. She was introduced to martial arts in a class that she took at the University of Memphis in 1974. She served on the Memphis Police Department and received World Championship titles in 1999 and 2004, a National Weapon title in 2003 and World Championship in Weapons in 2004.
From the training mats that line the floor inside their building at 2166 Central Ave., instructors at Midtown ATA Martial Arts strive to train and equip their students of all ages, from 3 years and older, in more than just Taekwondo.
With trained and certified instructors in a martial art that originated in Korea, instructor director Melanie Anderson and master instructor Patty Lovett teach their students about a sport that integrates combat techniques, self-defense, and physical fitness training, combining speed with flexibility, power, and self-control.
"We offer the highest quality martial arts training and our leadership development results in a strong body, mind, moral compass, and an ability to excel," Lovett said.
Midtown ATA Martial Arts, which is a member of the Cooper-Young Business Association, moved to its current location on Central Avenue in August 2007. The decision for them to do this was quite simple. "The location and facility was perfect for our needs and we love the diversity of the area and the demographics met our business plan," Anderson said. Also, by being in the Cooper-Young area, they thought that they would be in the center of town and easily accessed from a large variety of neighborhoods.
Midtown ATA Martial Arts is part of the world's largest single martial arts association that is independently owned and operated. They offer a comprehensive martial arts training program, including Taekwondo, self-defense, and bullying prevention. In addition to this, "We train in Taekwondo, joint lock, pressure point control tactics, disruptive student management, sexual harassment and rape prevention, weapons disarming, and cardio kickboxing," Anderson said.
Midtown ATA offers classes Monday through Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11 a.m. They also offer classes for 3-to 5-year-olds at 5:30 on Tuesdays through Thursdays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
While the number of students fluctuate throughout the year, they currently have between 78 to 96 students. The cost of membership can run between $85 to $125 depending on the training program that a member receives. They offer discounts for family members.
"Midtown ATA Martial Arts classes are all family classes, which makes it possible for the entire family to actually train together," Anderson said. "This is an excellent way for adults to spend time with their children and help relieve stress," Lovett added.
Amy Butler, from Collierville, and her children, Bryson, 13, and Brynna, 10, are all enrolled together as a family at Midtown ATA. Bryson was the first to join when he was 5 years old. Brynna joined in April and Amy signed up in September of this year.
"I like Midtown ATA because Master Lovett and Instructor Director Anderson have such a gift for working with kids," Butler said. "Through their leadership my son has learned the value of working with kids with special needs and being able to stand up and be a leader. Master Lovett and Ms. Anderson have life examples for their students and always take advantage of teachable moments. I wouldn't dream of having my family study under anyone else," Butler said.
Midtown ATA accepts all students , including those who are in wheelchairs, with Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, and strives to mainstream them into their regular classes.
"We are a preferred vendor for the Memphis City Schools," Lovett said. They have both attended the Olweus Bullying Prevention Course, are CPR certified, and received annual background checks.
Lovett is a 6th degree black belt and was elevated to her current rank in June 2012. She was introduced to martial arts in a class that she took at the University of Memphis in 1974. She served on the Memphis Police Department and received World Championship titles in 1999 and 2004, a National Weapon title in 2003 and World Championship in Weapons in 2004.
Michael Lander covers Sports and Recreation for MicroMemphis.
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