January Newsletter
- Crystal Yu
- Dec 29, 2025
- 6 min read
Welcome to 2026 and the DMA Winter Refresh!
Over the holiday break, we have taken some time to improve certain areas of our program, including communication, student performance, and community building.
Here's what you can expect:
Improved DMA Website! You will notice some changes to our site, with a few more updates to come, including a dedicated page for the Port City Dragons.
Skills Trackers are back, and this means you can stay up-to-date on your child's performance and testing readiness. Learn more about the Skills Tracker below.
NEW! Interactive Slideshow for students and parents. We want your ideas and opinions - join the conversation in class with our new interactive slideshow. These slides give you a voice in upcoming events, camps, and more PLUS even more chances to win BIG prizes at DMA.
NEW! Pre-K and Adult class options. See the new DMA Schedule for 2026 below for class times and to register for your trial!
Updated Train at Home Videos! We appreciate the feedback that some students were struggling with the
Main Events this Month:
January - Legacy Circle with Master Yu (Every weekend in January)
Jan. 9-10 Port City Dragon Auditions
January 16, 23, 25 - Port City Dragon Intensives
Jan. 31 - War Angel Challenge
Our Name in Lights
You're training with the best - and the reviews prove it! Thank you for your continued support and a successful 2025. Click the link below to see how our new site reflects your voices, and the DMA Culture.
NOTE: Our former domain provider went through a corporate merger, which led to issues with our original domain name (www.dma-tkd.com). That domain is now lost to the interweb. Please save our NEW domain to access our website going forward. https://www.dma-tkd.life/
Our new look simplifies access to information for our DMA families and prospects. You will see us working to gather more content in classes which includes videos and pictures that will be rotated through our social media, ad campaigns, the DMA Slideshow, and our website.
All parents sign a waiver which allows us to photograph their child for these purposes only. If you are not okay with your child being featured, please let us know so we can make the appropriate adjustments to your account.
Skills Tracker
What is a Skills Tracker?
The skills tracker is a communication tool for parents and instructors. The tracker gives instructors the ability to rate a students performance of a particular skill, and the parents access to view those ratings. It is also a great "checklist" for parents to use when reviewing material at home with the student.
Just log in to your account through the DMA App and click on Evaluations to begin.
What the Skills Tracker is not...
The Skills Tracker does not determine your child's eligibility for belt testing.
The Skills Tracker should not lead to criticism or reprimand from parents or instructors towards a child regarding their performance.
How to use the Skills Tracker:
The star ratings inform parents of the areas where a student should practice more.
1-3 Stars ⭐️ means to focus on practicing this skill the most.
4-5 Stars ⭐️ means proficient in understanding and performance.
Milestone Cards can also be found in the Skills Tracker and printed at home.
Parents can call out different skills from the tracker to "test" students at home for extra practice.
New Schedule and Class Options!
Lil Dumplin's Pre-K Program
Our Lil' Dumplin's program introduces preschoolers to the exciting world of martial arts. Your child will build a strong foundation with age-appropriate drills, fun obstacle courses that develop balance and coordination, and safe, engaging activities like flag sparring to learn timing and respect.
We focus on instilling focus, discipline, and confidence in a supportive, energetic environment where the first kicks and blocks transform your Lil' Dumplin' into a ninja.
Adult Only Program
Rediscover your strength. Our Adult Program is more than a class—it’s a transformative practice for body, mind, and lifestyle. In a supportive community of peers, you’ll engage in authentic martial arts training that delivers unparalleled stress relief, total-body fitness, and practical self-defense capability. This is your space to disconnect from daily pressures, build resilience, and achieve new levels of confidence and personal power, regardless of your starting point.
Port City Dragons
The Port City Dragons can look forward to a busy month of training and competition in January 2026.
Port City Dragon Auditions and Parent Meeting will be held on Jan 9 and 10th.
On January 9, the students will learn a short routine from 5-7 pm. Mrs. Yu and Master Yu will be meeting with parents during this time. There will be an opportunity to record the routine before practice is over, so students can practice at home.
On Saturday, January 10, students will return at 9 am to demonstrate the routine before the judges' panel. This is a drop-off only audition. We will make final selections over the weekend and email results to the families.
NEW! This Season the PCD Team will have intensives to help prepare students for a busy tournament season.
The schedule is as follows:
Mandatory Intensives:
January 16th, 5-8 pm
January 23rd, 5-8 pm
January 25th, 3-6 pm
January 30th, - Tournament Focus
PLUS! Beginning January 25th, we will welcome the NEW Acro Coach, Ms. Hailey. She will be evaluating the Dragons’ Acro levels at the Jan. 25 Intensive. Ms. Hailey will coach Acro/Tumbling to the Dragon’s every Friday.
Friday PCD Practices will be scheduled from 5pm-8pm to accomodate the added hour of Acro each week. PCD parents will have a fee of $20 per month, which covers all Acro Coaching (one hour every Friday).
There are other exciting improvements for the team planned for our 2026 Season, including new curriculum, a PCD Skills Tracker, and special events. We are looking forward to an outstanding season!
2026 Calendar and What's Next!
Did you know that you can access the DMA Calendar at any time? Just head over to the DMA App and click on "Archives". View the entire year at a glance and never miss out on what's happening at DMA.
February in FULL BLAST!
February - Teens! This April, our Teen Classes are getting a MARVEL-ous (and DC-tastic) upgrade! Each week is inspired by a different superhero — chosen by YOU.
How it works:
VOTE on the big screen for your favorite heroes, voting closes Feb. 28
TRAIN using their unique powers and styles
LEVEL UP your Taekwondo in 4 epic themed weeks
Get ready to unlock your inner hero!
February - Share the Love Month and 2x Giveaway! There are two ways to win:
Students can bring a friend to class any day during February to receive one raffle entry.
Let's get social! Parents can tag us in a post on Facebook or leave a review on Google or Facebook! Each week, we will share a list of parents who have tagged us or left a review. BONUS! Level UP!
Do all three: Tag Us + Google Review + Facebook Review = 5 Entries!
Every time you tag us, you receive an entry.
The first drawing will be on February 12, and the winner will receive 2x Free Admission to the Share the Love Valentine Bash on February 14. The second drawing will be on February 20, and the winner will receive 1x Free Admission to the Arctic Storm Ninja Camp.
February - Self-Love Club - Ladies! Find your main character energy in our 4-week self-defense series "Unbound". In this class, we evoke the fierce heroines from BookTok sensations, including the Archeron Sisters from "A Court of Thorns and Roses", Poppy DaNeer from "Blood and Ash", Violet Sorrengail from "Fourth Wing", and many others.
During this 4-week class, you will learn how to:
Wield a weapon in self-defense - Bladed and non-bladed weapons
Escape bindings, including zip-ties
Target critical points on your attacker for optimal impact
Use all of your senses to detect and defend against your attacker.
Defend yourself in extreme circumstances
Here's what you can expect:
Bravely step into the dark with Black-Out classes that jolt your senses into alertness, and learn to be prepared for anything.
Train Valkyrie style - surrounded by other women of like minds and interests, and find your tribe.
Find inspiration in every beat, every breath, and every turn with our fully immersive set-up! This class is as thrilling as it is educational.
Led by husband and wife team, prepare for moments of intensity, laughter, and a thrilling experience you will never forget.
Activities will be focused on tactical training and preparedness with a gentle warm-up.
How to Register:
Cost: $125 (Priceless for knowledge that will last a lifetime.)
When: Every Sunday in February @ 7pm
Feb. 7 - Sun Fun Classic Tournament, Myrtle Beach
Feb. 14 - Share the Love Parents Night Out Party
Feb. 21 - Arctic Storm Ninja Camp
Comments