Student Newsflash!

 Register now for fall Lil' Dragons sessions for 3 to 6-year-olds!
 Register now for 2009 TCMA SUMMER CAMPS!
  View 2009-2010 Annual Calendar
  How do I Get Started if I'm new?  Click here for details!
  New sparring strategy and combat karate class with 6th degree Master Clarence Montgomery to be held on Sundays 4:30pm starting 1-18-09.  Ages 15+
  New class schedule starts January 12, 2009
  After-school pickup ! TCMA offers after-school pickup from Highland Park, Doss, Hill & Spicewood elementary schools. Click here to learn about TCMA's elementary-level after-school martial arts program.

 


Host your event at Third Coast! Our space is available for rental Saturdays and Sundays. Call for more information: (512) 302-KICK



Upcoming birthday?
Did you know TCMA throws great parties?


Welcome to Third Coast Martial Arts

Third Coast Martial Arts is a family-oriented school specializing in the world's most popular self-defense martial art, Tae Kwon Do. We also expose our students to various other discliplines such as judo, mixed martial arts, self-defense, capoeira and t'ai chi.

Our schedule provides a great variety of times and classes to meet the needs of entire families, but we also offer a selection of adult-only classes. Our Lil'Dragons program provides a fun place for the youngest children to begin learning the discipline of Tae Kwon Do. 

Many of our classes are categorized by experience (belt rank), not age, so Third Coast is the perfect school for families who want to learn together. (We also have several "all belt" classes to give less experienced students the opportunity to learn from the higher belts and to give the higher belts opportunities to assist with teaching.)
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About Tae Kwon Do

Literally translated, Tae means "foot", Kwon means "fist", and Do means "the way" or "the art", so Tae Kwon Do is "the way of the foot and fist" and is the synthesis of many Korean Martial Arts.

Many martial arts evolved from centuries-old techniques that were originally developed by farmers who learned to use their bodies and simple field tools to defend their farmlands and villages against invaders.

Tae Kwon Do was recognized as an official sport in the 2000 Olympics. It is thought to be the most practiced martial art in the world (and in the United States).

Many similarities to other well-known martial arts can be drawn. But there are distinctions. Tae Kwon Do, and its cousins, Karate and Kung Fu, all combine mental discipline, physical fitness, and self-defense. All three feature kicks, blocks and punches.

One traditional method of easily distinguishing the three calls upon the physical attributes of the three countries of origin. China is a huge, roundish country, and, likewise, Kung Fu utilizes sweeping roundish movements of the arms and legs. Japan is a small, long country, and Karate features short, linear thrusts. Korea falls in the middle, as does Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is also well known for its graceful, powerful "flying kicks."

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By the way...
    • Third Coast Martial Arts is an approved school for off-campus, athletic training to substitute for on-campus PE classes in the Austin school district. Click here to read more about the program and to download AISD's waiver form.
    • TCMA can host your child's birthday bash! Click here for more details.
    • TCMA offers an American Tae Kwon Do program for women only. Click here to learn more.
    • TCMA owner John Seay offers personal fitness training.
    • Contact Jami Hatch for private TKD training.
    • TCMA's Stranger Awareness program was recently featured on KXAN news, and is spreading to more and more schools. See our Stranger Danger pages to learn how TCMA can come to your school!

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Have you heard?

    I really appreciate the attention and great effort you have committed to each of us who are preparing to compete and/or belt test. Where else can you go in Austin and have a master on one side of the room teaching point sparring and a master on the other side teaching competition forms!?
        Mike Wilson, student and parent

    Thank you so much for providing the boys with the opportunity to delve into the art of Tae Kwon Do. Both boys really enjoy it. I love that your instructions are very professional and structured.
        TCMA parent

    I just wanted you all to know how happy I am that we have joined your organization. Each person there has been so great with the little kids. Our girls love going to class and are happy to be there. They smile so often there and they just want to hug everyone. In addition, they are learning something valuable that they can use and benefit from for the rest of their lives. Ballet lessons may be fun for now, but that will not be a career for either one of the girls nor will that help them in a difficult physical situation. Anyway, I am thankful for what you provide and HOW you provide it to your clients/members. I just wanted you all to know. Thanks.
        Toni (TCMA parent)

    TKD is a safe way that I can release all my frustrations and anxieties. By the end of class, my stress level has dropped dramatically and my head is clear....I have been very impressed with the advanced belt and black belt instructors. It's not all about kicking and punching, it's a way of life.
        Cathy Allen, TCMA student 

    Thank you so much for your program. You are so wonderful with the kids. This is truly a wonderful, unique program in Austin.
        Shari Shivers, TCMA Parent

    Coordination is a challenge for our son--which is typical of children with language disorders. I know your class has helped him work on developing new brain pathways and overall body tone. He is improving every day in motor, social and language skills, and I know your class has contributed to his improvement. Thanks again for working so patiently with our son and for your thoughtful manner.
        Lil' Dragon parent

    We couldn’t be happier with the choice we made and have recommended the school to others whenever possible … As a student at Third Coast, our daughter is learning invaluable lessons: that mistakes are a part of mastering any new skill, that hard work is rewarded, and that respect is a virtue. We really think this is the first time she has experienced that feeling of accomplishment that comes from confronting something new and difficult, chipping away at it little by little and then finally, and all on her own, mastering it. When she was promoted recently to the next belt, she looked at me and said, “I did it. I did it all by myself.” … We’ve appreciated the learning environment that you have created at Third Coast … and we have been impressed and somewhat surprised by how well [our daughter] has taken to it and the degree to which she both enjoys herself and focuses on learning what is being taught. Our tenure at Third Coast has been a wonderful introduction into Tae Kwon Do and the martial arts. Thank you.
         Tracey & Keith, TCMA Parents

    I am so happy we found TCMA. Taking Tae Kwon Do at the school has had such a positive impact on our family. You do such a wonderful job of creating a supportive and constructive environment. It makes all the difference. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey...
         Andrea Adams, TCMA Parent and Student

    I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you. Mainly for what you have done in such a short time for our child's self-esteem and pride.
         TCMA Parent

    I wanted you to know the joy and confidence you have brought to a 35 lb six year old, who is learning (quickly) that his size is not a limitation.
         TCMA Parent

(C) 2006 Third Coast Martial Arts