United States Taekwondo Alliance

Our Mission: To Promote Excellence in the Traditional and Evolving Art of Taekwondo

Learn More About Our Programs & Certifications
characters

A Mission Inspired By Tradition & Excellence

It is the goal of the United States Taekwondo Alliance to stimulate excellence in the learning, practice, and teaching of traditional taekwondo, under the direction of president and CEO, Grandmaster Doug Cook. The USTA will help organize curricula for accredited schools and assist instructors plan and implement their programs more effectively. The Association maintains a National Registry of individual and group members at its headquarters in Warwick, New York.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF GRANDMASTER RICHARD CHUN

The United States Taekwondo Alliance was founded in 2023 by Grandmaster Doug Cook, 8th Dan, a senior student of the late Grandmaster Rhin Moon Richard Chun. As successor to the United States Taekwondo Association established in 1980 by Grandmaster Chun, the mission of the United States Taekwondo Alliance is to promote excellence in the traditional and evolving art of taekwondo. While continuing to promote the legacy of Chun Kwanjangnim, the organization actively inserts its own contributions into the great chain of martial wisdom, focusing on the art rather than the sport, consciously viewing taekwondo as a Way of Life.

With affiliate schools across America, the USTA faithfully maintains traditional technique and Korean martial arts doctrine by hosting educational seminars, online and in-dojang classes, a comprehensive standardized curriculum, certification across a number of levels, cultural and training tours to Korea, and through HOONLYUN: The Journal of the USTA.

Richard Chun-Doug Cook

USTA Member Benefits

Numerous benefits are available to USTA individual members and affiliate schools, including:

  • A Standardized, Traditional Taekwondo Curriculum
  • Rank Certification
  • Instructor Certification
  • School Affiliation
  • KUKKIWON certification
  • Instructor and Master Training
  • Special Seminars
  • Inclusion in our National Registry
  • Joint-Marketing Opportunities
  • Authorized use of USTA-Branded Merchandise

In an effort to maintain a strong connection with the “cradle of taekwondo,” the USTA hosts martial pilgrimages to SOUTH KOREA every three years. These expeditions offer direct exposure to the epicenter of the Korean martial arts.

  • International focus – our students come from throughout North America

  • Acclaimed programs – we encourage learning and growth

  • Authentic Korean Cultural Integration – Pilgrimages to South Korea every three years

OUR VALUES

OUR MISSION

It is the goal of the United States Taekwondo Alliance to stimulate excellence in the learning, practice, and teaching of traditional taekwondo, under the direction of president and CEO, Grandmaster Doug Cook. The USTA will help organize curricula for accredited schools and assist instructors plan and implement their programs more effectively. The Association maintains a National Registry of individual and group members at its headquarters in Warwick, New York.

Our philosophy seeks to enrich the lives of those who diligently apply its ethical principles to their daily routine. While on the surface it represents a system of self-defense coupled with a means of attaining physical fitness, the art rests on a virtuous foundation influenced by the three Asian philosophical paradigms of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

The martial art of taekwondo, with roots that date back to antiquity, in contrast to the martial sport bearing the same name, has maintained its technical skills and combat integrity through the efforts of several institutions such as the Kukkiwon – the center of taekwondo operations worldwide – the United States Taekwondo Association, and similar organizations given to the perpetuation of taekwondo as a traditional method of self-defense.

The taekwondo heritage can be traced to an era when scholar-warriors roamed the countryside defending against the onslaughts of imperialistic forces bent on regional domination. Consequently, their triumphs are in no small part responsible for the growth and permanence of traditional taekwondo and the nation we know today as Korea.

For the sincere martial artist, the doctrines borrowed from these systems of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, act as a moral compass in pointing the way towards self-improvement.

Join over 1,000 Members Certified by USTA Now

Become Part of USTA to Further Your Education in the Martial Arts

The USTA poomse sessions have exposed me to a broader world of Tae Kwon Do. Grandmaster Cook’s knowledge of, and passion for, the history and philosophy of Tae Kwon Do and the various forms is deep and inspiring. I leave every session having learned valuable insights and feeling more connected to the larger chain of martial artists who have come before me.

Steven E. Stemler, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Professor of Psychology
Professor of Education Studies
Wesleyan University
207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459

Steve Stemler, 3rd Dan, Wesleyan University
This USTA program is the best decisions I have made in my 20 year martial arts journey. I am in my second season with this program and I intend to sign-up again for future sessions. The students that I am training with are other dedicated devotees of martial arts training. We are supportive and inclusive. The program is designed to lift up each of our martial arts journeys and connect the dots between the Hyung we practice more commonly and the Hyung that represent the historical evolution of Taekwondo. Learning these concepts while performing the physical motion creates what I can only call a Meta-Relationship to Taekwondo. I found a true sense of awe or Ah-Ha moment when I completed the first course. There is a beautiful interconnectedness between the Hyung and Time that opens the doors to improvement with the poomsae that I practice more commonly.  My stances, motion, balance, and energy all are improved through this Meta-Relationship.  Even in round two, I notice it since each practice deepens the insight.


Jennie Rubenstein, DVM

Jockey Hollow Veterinary Practice
3 Jockey Hollow Road
P.O. Box 208
New Milford, NY 10959
jhvet.com

845-986-9900

Jennie Rubenstein, DVM, Jockey Hollow Veterinary Practice
A few years ago, when GrandMaster Cook first announced this program, I did not see muchvalue in it. As a student of Chosun Taekwondo Academy, I felt that the poomsae classes offered at the Dojang were more than sufficient. About six months into the program, I decided to join and have rejoined each iteration since. My participation in this program has greatly expanded my knowledge of both rare Hyung like the Kibon and Pyung-Ahn sets but also of more well-knownforms like Balsek. Adding on the opportunity to learn from a venerable GrandMaster and join the great link of Taekwondo knowledge makes this program invaluable to me both as a student and an instructor. My initial assessment couldn’t have been more wrong, and I am grateful to GrandMaster Cook for providing this opportunity and immensely proud to be a participant.
Brian Parkinson
Poomsae are the heart of traditional taekwondo. In the USTA Poomsae Training Series, Grandmaster Cook teaches forms both ancient and contemporary, going deep into technique and history. The sessions are intellectually and physically gratifying.  Through this course, Grandmaster Cook ensures that the heart of traditional taekwondo is beating strongly.
John Peterson, 3rd Dan
The USTA Poomsae session program has put new life into my forms. Little intricacies that I never knew that my forms were missing came to fruition and life. The program showcases the word authenticity of Taekwondo forms as well as the meaning and essence behind them. A true treasure chest worth joining or embarking on.
Arun Salgunan

PROGRAMS

View More

EVENTS

View More

LATEST NEWS

View More