IAMA's History of Credentials

What are IAMA's Credentials?


Indiana Academy of Martial Arts is an AMAA (American Martial Arts Alliance) chartered school, and is also affiliated with the AAU (Amateur Athletics Union).

Our chief instructor, Master Sylvia Hite-Thompson is a 4th degree Black Belt and master instructor through the AMAA. Master Hite has been an avid competitor for many years, holding multiple State champion titles in Forms, Breaking, Sparring and Weapons, as well as National titles in Forms and Sparring.

All Black Belt instructors are well trained and certified to teach Tae Kwon Do. IAMA has the only certified CDT (Criminal Defense Training) Non-Deadly Force Tactical Master Instructor in the Tri-State area.

IAMA is committed to developing the youth in our community. IAMA supports education programs to award students who produce exceptional grades in their schoolwork. IAMA also sponsors a scholarship to promote higher education.



Why are credentials so important?


Just as it's important to have your high school diploma or your college degree, credentials in the martial arts should be valued the same way. Indiana Academy of Martial Arts is a chartered school with the American Martial Arts Alliance. The AMAA provides certifications for the Gup (colored belt) ranks as well as all the Black Belts (Dans).

In 1990, Grandmaster Daniel Coblentz established the AMAA incorporating the principles and teachings of Chung Do Kwan, one of the strongest and largest Tae Kwon Do institutions in Korea.

 


The American Martial Arts Alliance


Established in 1990 as the American Martial Arts Association, this Indiana based organization is headquartered in Greensburg, IN. The organization's founder is Grandmaster Daniel Coblentz, a 7th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and 4th Dan Master in Kali and Silat. In 2000, the AMAA board voted to change the name to the American Martial Arts Alliance. The emblem for the AMAA was re-designed in 2005 by Grandmaster Coblentz.

Currently, the AMAA offers Gup, Black Belt and Instructor credentials and organization memberships.

Schools may become chartered with the AMAA, which qualifies each student to participate in the AMAA sanctioned tournaments. The AMAA sponsors three tournaments a year and an annual State Championship. Indiana Academy of Martial Arts is proud to be a part of this organization that promotes an atmosphere of fair competition for its students.


Significance of AMAA Symbol's Color and Design


Blue Cross - Known as the soldier's cross; it represents Calvary
Gold Fist - The universal emblem of Tae Kwon Do
Outer Gold Ring - Represents eternal life
Inner Gold Ring - Stands for harmony
Blue - Stands for freedom
White - Represents purity
Red - Represents the blood shed for God, family and country
Black - Stands for death
2 Stars - Represents the beginning and the end