MARTIAL ARTS

American Tae Kwon Do or American Karate contributes to increased physical strength, flexibility, balance, control, and discipline.

Our Purpose:

To promote quality education of martial artists
To provide professional standards for schools, instructors and rank promotions
To cultivate friendship and mutual understanding between martial artists

We maintain an eclectic but traditional approach. Keeping the emphasis on the "art," we incorporate techniques from several other styles such as jui-jitsu and kobudo. In fact AKATO instructors can cross-train and earn black belt ranking in other systems.

Students train with others at their own skill level progressing from basic stances, punches, blocks, and kicks to the study of more advanced Katas (patterns of movement) and defense objectives. The Richardson YMCA boasts the longest running YMCA karate program in Texas!

For more information on our martial arts style and the history of Keith Yates, please visit https://a-kato.org/

Instructors:

Caroline Goodspeed: 9th degree black belt in TaeKwonDo She also holds a black belt in KoBudo (Asian weapons) Mrs. Goodspeed teaches classes at several locations in the Dallas area. She began her training in 1990 under Keith Yates at the Richardson YMCA to spend time with her daughter who was taking lessons. A certified instructor with the American Council of Martial Artists, she now teaches the Saturday classes at Richardson and will be the head instructor at the Richardson YMCA starting May 1st and will be teaching both Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. She is the highest ranking woman in Nam Seo Kwan Tae Kwon Do. She is highly sought after as an instructor in women’s self-defense.

Daniel Trimmell: 2nd degree black belt in Tae KwonDo and holds a black belt in KoBudo. He is the instructor for the little dragons, ages 5-6, on Saturday morning.

We also are pleased to have a number of experienced black belts that teach as volunteers.

YMCA Black Belts

Martial Arts Youth Program - Little Dragons

Ages: 5 & 6

When: Saturday's 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m.

Where: Richardson Gymnasium
Session: Registration is on-going.

Cost: YMCA Member: $35/month Non Member: $50/month

Registration Info: Listed as "Martial Arts Youth Program" for online registration

Martial Arts Family Program - Regular Karate (Tae Kwon Do)

Ages: 7 and up

NOTE: Our times have CHANGED

When:

Tuesdays: 6:00pm-7:00pm (Beginner - White to Green Belt) & 7:00pm-8:00pm (Blue Belt & Up) AND/OR
Saturday: 9:30am-10:30am (All Belt Levels)

Where: Richardson Gymnasium

Cost: Once a Week: YMCA Member: $35/Month Non Member: $50/Month. Twice a Week: YMCA Member: $60/Month Non Member: $90/Month.

Session: Registration is on-going.

Registration Info: Listed as "Martial Arts Family Program" for online registration

Program Information:

Interested participants may try out one class for free. We recommend attending the class on the first offering of every month, however you may attend one trial class at any point. No pre-registration is required for the trial class. Closed-toe shoes with socks and comfortable clothing is the recommended attire for the first class.
Uniforms and belts will be determined by the instructor and may be in addition to the course cost.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in their children in the Regular Karate class. Martial arts is for everyone!

For questions, contact:
JaMonica Washington
Sr Sports Director
richardsonsports@ymcadallas.org