Barrett's ATA Martial Arts

Bruce's parents, Tom and Melanie Schwerdt, said that while on the training mat, Bruce couldn't stop smiling and staring at Barrett. Students of all ages are accustomed to focusing on Barrett or any of the four other trainers.

"The ATA is renowned for its developmentally appropriate programs for different age groups," Barrett said. "We're teaching them to touch things and only touch when mom and dad say [it's OK]."

Children and toddlers can learn about structure, how to move on command and courtesy gestures. By age 3 to 5, children understand word association and want to please their teachers, Barrett said.

A longtime tae kwon do student, instructor Nichole Mascari began teaching young children two years ago.

"The main focus is really getting them to understand how to listen, follow directions and move on command," Mascari said. "If they're doing those things, you have a child that has a good attention span and has good discipline."

Older children can learn how to control their bodies. In some classes, instructors allow children to make contact and use traditional weapons while sparring—but only those who have demonstrated discipline, respect and a desire to pursue a black belt, Barrett said.

"We start working towards independent movement and independent follow-through of a direction [with 9- to twleve-year-old students]," Mascari said.

At age 13, students are old enough to begin training in teen and adult settings.

For students of any age, the first four weeks of classes start at $49, which includes a uniform.

Two years ago, after managing several ATA schools in Florida and one in Austin, Barrett came to the 1890 Ranch shopping center, where she found a vacant space to open her own business. Someday Barrett said she may add another location, but the studio is staying busy, especially after its first full ATA tournament year during which students won several state, district and world championships.

"Just to have grown up with this, it's just a very neat experience," Barrett said. "[Tae kwon do] helps you to make the right choices in life. You think about it every time you make a decision."

Barrett's ATA Martial Arts, 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 160, Cedar Park, 512-786-2837, Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 4–9 p.m., Tue. and Thu., 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon, [email protected], www.barrettsata.com