About ASA
ASA Overview By Master Chan Lee, president of ASA and owner of JK Lee Blackbelt Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Currently, less than 3% of the US population practices martial arts. As traditional martial art teachers, we understand that martial arts is the greatest shared activity for kids and families — but the vast majority of Americans have no idea what martial arts is all about. Frankly, we have done a terrible job of promoting the greatness of our sport.
The American Sabumnim Association (ASA) goal is to change this disappointing reality by being the glue to unite martial arts teachers in working together to:
- Ensure high professional standards within the martial arts industry — by creating certifications that our members can earn
- Increase public awareness of the benefits of traditional martial arts — with the goal of making our sport the #1 activity for kids and families
- Enhance the business management skills of martial arts school staff — via our annual summit, private Facebook Group, and premium resources only available to ASA Premier Members.
- Strive to be the very best teachers of martial arts
The up and coming students of martial arts come are from a new generation that are growing up in a radically different environment. In addition, their parents view the world in radically different ways. As a result, martial arts schools need to adapt to how we promote ourselves, communicate with our students, deal with conflict, and manage our schools — with the goal of our students becoming life-long learners of martial arts.
We need new educational programs, marketing, business-management skills, and professional standards for a new world — and the ASA’s goal is to provide them.
We need to work together to grow the popularity of martial arts in this country. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats and together we can grow to new heights.