Northwest Austin ATA Martial Arts

Regional High Rank Black Belt Testing in Cedar Park this morning. Northwest Austin sent 3 testers, Ms. Ashley Haag, Mr. Guilherme Leonhardt , and Mr. Ian Alper.

Great job and we should have results sometime this week! Next up, Color Belts, Recommended Black Belts, and 1st Degrees test on Tuesday!

Hey y'all - the roads are getting MUCH better but our host facility (Bethany UMC) is closed for the day so we are unable to have classes. We'll see you on Thursday!

After a great testing wrapping up our previous cycle, we start with new material including a life skill focus on the concept of honesty. We train every Tuesday and Thursday at Bethany UMC, and would love to meet you! Come find out how our program supports the physical, mental, and emotional growth of the young leaders of Northwest Austin!

🪔✨ **Happy Diwali from Northwest Austin ATA** ✨🪔
To all our families and friends, we wish you a joyful Festival of Lights filled with love, laughter, and new beginnings.

Just as Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, we honor the same spirit in our martial arts journey—building strength, courage, and character with every step.

May your homes shine bright, your hearts stay strong, and your path be guided by wisdom and peace.

**Shubh Deepavali!**
— Your Northwest Austin ATA Family

🌟 Self-esteem starts with gratitude. Whether you're a white belt or a Master, taking time to say “thank you” builds confidence, connection, and character.

This week, we’re honoring the parents, teachers, and mentors who lift us up—and the instructors and black belts who walk the talk every day. 🙌

I’m especially grateful to our leadership team who ran the school in my absence these past two weeks. You didn’t just hold the line—you inspired growth. 💪

We’re heading into our testing event next week, and I couldn’t be prouder of the progress our students have made. It’s a powerful reminder to practice what you preach—because when you lead with integrity, others rise with you.

Let’s keep building each other up! 💥

Cute! Bethany UMC is hosting a pumpkin patch right outside our doors! Come early for class and pay a visit!

One of my students wrote a letter to their past self as their Self-Esteem homework project, and it shares some great wisdom. Shared with permission.

You know what they say, if at first you don't succeed .......

💥 Life Skill Spotlight: RESPECT 💥

Last session, our students tackled a deceptively simple concept with profound depth—**Respect**. Not just as a word, not just as a feeling, but as a *life skill*. Their homework wasn’t about memorizing definitions—it was about showing what respect looks like in action.

We say it often: "Respect is not what you know. It's what you do."

And these students *did* the work. They poured time, effort, and real thought into their projects—exploring how respect shows up in our choices, our tone, our habits, and how we treat others when no one's watching.

From heartfelt reflections to creative presentations, they proved that respect isn’t just taught—it’s practiced. And we couldn’t be prouder of the maturity and insight they brought to the table.

👏 Let’s give them some love in the comments. They earned it.