Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center, 3719 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
About
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center offers Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Self Defense, Fitness Training, Escrima, and cardio kickboxing in a safe and fun environment. Kids get to jump, roll, kick, shout, and spar, and may be asked to recite a Student Creed at promotions and discuss how it relates to their martial arts training.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center was established in 1980 in Berkeley and moved to its present location in 1998 after 18 years in the Berkeley community. The program offers training in the art of Tae Kwon Do for children, youth, and adults, and Mr. Baker incorporates his experience with aikido, capoeira, judo, escrima, and tai chi into the Tae Kwon Do curriculum. The center conducts online classes, and families can book classes online through the website. Parents observe experienced teachers offering children character and confidence building, physical fitness, safety awareness, interaction with kids from diverse backgrounds, leadership, and self-discipline.
Head Instructor Julius Baker began his Tae Kwon Do training in 1969 under Master Byong Yu and Master Ken Youn and has over thirty years of Tae Kwon Do training. He has also studied Aikido, Escrima, Judo, Capoeira, and Tai Chi, received a BA and a Masters Degree in Health Science from San Francisco State University, taught Physical and Health Education at the college level, and has over forty years of experience working with children. In recognition of his 40 years as a leader in martial arts, in 2014 he was awarded Tae Kwon Do Master of the Year and inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. After receiving his Black Belt, Mr. Baker began teaching at the Young Adult Project, a Model Cities program for inner city youth, in 1973.
The leadership team includes Head Instructor Julius Baker; Guest Instructor Jamal Baker; Instructor Brian Hong; Instructor Jeff Simon; Assistant Instructor Michael Zapien; Guest Instructor Patrick Tran; Guest Instructor Andre Amacker; Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram; Guest Instructor David MacDonald; Guest Instructor Greg Dy; Guest Instructor Jamiko Allen-Hercules; and Guest Instructor John Torres. Guest Instructor Jamal Baker received his Black Belt at age 12 in 1994, competed on several elite ice hockey leagues throughout the US and Canada from 1998–2001, and received his BA in sociology from Cal State East Bay. Instructor Brian Hong is a second degree black belt. Instructor Jeff Simon received his Black Belt in 2010 and holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the Haas Business School at U.C. Berkeley. Assistant Instructor Michael Zapien received his black belt after 4½ years of practice, began Tai Chi in 2011, and holds a bachelor of science degree in physiology from San Francisco State University and a master of science in marketing management from the University of Maryland. Guest Instructor Patrick Tran has been training for over ten years and is currently in medical school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Guest Instructor Andre Amacker wrestled for the US Navy and qualified for and competed at the 1980 Olympic Trials. Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram is 16 years old, wears a junior Black Belt, and has trained consistently for over eleven years. Guest Instructor David MacDonald started training at Baker's Martial Arts in 1998, was promoted to Black Belt in 2002, teaches children’s and adult classes, and trains in both Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi. Guest Instructor Greg Dy received his Black Belt in 2011 and does Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu and Muay Thai. Guest Instructor Jamiko Allen-Hercules earned his Black Belt at age fifteen, has been teaching both children and adults for the past ten years at Baker’s, currently teaches cardio kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do, and is studying Yoga and Tai Chi. Guest Instructor John Torres earned his Black Belt in 1994 and his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2001.
The stated goal of Baker's Martial Arts is to teach the graceful, powerful, and practical art of Tae Kwon Do in a friendly, down-to-earth, family-oriented environment, with an emphasis on inclusiveness rather than hierarchy. The program states that Tae Kwon Do is a means to developing self-discipline and self-respect that can be applied to all aspects of life and that achievement and growth come when the mind, body, and spirit work together. One guest instructor, Patrick Tran, states, “To challenge the body is to challenge the mind.” Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram reports starting training right after a 5th birthday and describes Tae Kwon Do as having benefits for a basketball career, school, and general attitude toward life. According to the program, Instructor Jeff Simon reports that his training and extended family at the studio have had a dramatic impact on his health, confidence, and way of life.
Last updated June 15, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center was established in 1980 in Berkeley and moved to its present location in 1998 after 18 years in the Berkeley community. The program offers training in the art of Tae Kwon Do for children, youth, and adults, and Mr. Baker incorporates his experience with aikido, capoeira, judo, escrima, and tai chi into the Tae Kwon Do curriculum. The center conducts online classes, and families can book classes online through the website. Parents observe experienced teachers offering children character and confidence building, physical fitness, safety awareness, interaction with kids from diverse backgrounds, leadership, and self-discipline.
Head Instructor Julius Baker began his Tae Kwon Do training in 1969 under Master Byong Yu and Master Ken Youn and has over thirty years of Tae Kwon Do training. He has also studied Aikido, Escrima, Judo, Capoeira, and Tai Chi, received a BA and a Masters Degree in Health Science from San Francisco State University, taught Physical and Health Education at the college level, and has over forty years of experience working with children. In recognition of his 40 years as a leader in martial arts, in 2014 he was awarded Tae Kwon Do Master of the Year and inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. After receiving his Black Belt, Mr. Baker began teaching at the Young Adult Project, a Model Cities program for inner city youth, in 1973.
The leadership team includes Head Instructor Julius Baker; Guest Instructor Jamal Baker; Instructor Brian Hong; Instructor Jeff Simon; Assistant Instructor Michael Zapien; Guest Instructor Patrick Tran; Guest Instructor Andre Amacker; Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram; Guest Instructor David MacDonald; Guest Instructor Greg Dy; Guest Instructor Jamiko Allen-Hercules; and Guest Instructor John Torres. Guest Instructor Jamal Baker received his Black Belt at age 12 in 1994, competed on several elite ice hockey leagues throughout the US and Canada from 1998–2001, and received his BA in sociology from Cal State East Bay. Instructor Brian Hong is a second degree black belt. Instructor Jeff Simon received his Black Belt in 2010 and holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the Haas Business School at U.C. Berkeley. Assistant Instructor Michael Zapien received his black belt after 4½ years of practice, began Tai Chi in 2011, and holds a bachelor of science degree in physiology from San Francisco State University and a master of science in marketing management from the University of Maryland. Guest Instructor Patrick Tran has been training for over ten years and is currently in medical school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Guest Instructor Andre Amacker wrestled for the US Navy and qualified for and competed at the 1980 Olympic Trials. Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram is 16 years old, wears a junior Black Belt, and has trained consistently for over eleven years. Guest Instructor David MacDonald started training at Baker's Martial Arts in 1998, was promoted to Black Belt in 2002, teaches children’s and adult classes, and trains in both Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi. Guest Instructor Greg Dy received his Black Belt in 2011 and does Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu and Muay Thai. Guest Instructor Jamiko Allen-Hercules earned his Black Belt at age fifteen, has been teaching both children and adults for the past ten years at Baker’s, currently teaches cardio kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do, and is studying Yoga and Tai Chi. Guest Instructor John Torres earned his Black Belt in 1994 and his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2001.
The stated goal of Baker's Martial Arts is to teach the graceful, powerful, and practical art of Tae Kwon Do in a friendly, down-to-earth, family-oriented environment, with an emphasis on inclusiveness rather than hierarchy. The program states that Tae Kwon Do is a means to developing self-discipline and self-respect that can be applied to all aspects of life and that achievement and growth come when the mind, body, and spirit work together. One guest instructor, Patrick Tran, states, “To challenge the body is to challenge the mind.” Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram reports starting training right after a 5th birthday and describes Tae Kwon Do as having benefits for a basketball career, school, and general attitude toward life. According to the program, Instructor Jeff Simon reports that his training and extended family at the studio have had a dramatic impact on his health, confidence, and way of life.
Last updated June 15, 2026.
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