UMACA Programs and Classes

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is the Korean martial art of unarmed self-defense with an emphasis on kicks thrown from a mobile stance. Taekwondo, which translates as “the way of the hand and the foot,” develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility and stamina. Students wear a white, v-neck uniform called a “dobok” (based on traditional Korean peasant garb) and a belt whose color indicates their rank – all students begin Taekwondo as a white belt.

In UMACA’s taekwondo classes, students practice their forms, learn self-defense techniques and can choose to participate in sparring.

To advance in taekwondo, students demonstrate their skills in front of Masters of Taekwondo. If they demonstrate sufficient knowledge of their level of taekwondo, they advance in rank.

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a sport which uses martial-arts-style kicks and western-boxing-style punches. UMACA Kickboxing is a highly-effective form of fitness with an additional focus on proper technique – which is what differentiates it from common generic-fitness-gym-offered “cardio-kickboxing.” Students of UMACA Kickboxing may choose to use the techniques for fitness only or may choose to train with one of our experienced fight trainers in preparation for the ring.

Olympic Sparring

Olympic sparring teaches students how to participate in a taekwondo match. A taekwondo match involves two competitors and, as the definition of taekwondo implies – the way of the hand and the foot – each athlete tries to earn points by landing kicks to the opponents head and body or punches to the body.

To participate in sparring, students must have the proper protective gear. This includes:

Hogu (chest protector)
Headgear
Shin guards
Forearm guards
Mouthpiece
Groin-area protector (male athletes only)

Competition Team

The UMACA Taekwondo Competition Team is a group of students that have been invited to participate in competitive taekwondo tournaments as representatives of UMACA. The UMACA Taekwondo Competition Team is associated with the Missouri State Taekwondo Organization (MSTO) and USA Taekwondo, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on two opponents using grappling (gripping, handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking) and ground fighting techniques with the goal of one opponent gaining a dominant position over the other and forcing him/her to submit. Although students come to BJJ for a variety of reasons, many come to train for self-defense, grappling tournaments or mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions.

Using Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu removes size as a factor of competition - a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant.