About
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center offers Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Self Defense, Fitness Training, Escrima, cardio kickboxing, sparring, and online classes. Kids at the center get to jump, roll, kick, shout, and spar as part of their training in a safe and fun environment.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center was established in 1980 and was a fixture in the Berkeley community for 18 years before moving to its present location in the Glenview district in Oakland in 1997. 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 his Tae Kwon Do curriculum. The center conducts online classes, and families can book classes online through the website.
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 his BA and then a Masters Degree in Health Science at 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 Mr. Baker was awarded Tae Kwon Do Master of the Year and inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
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. Several instructors and guest instructors have long training histories at Baker's Martial Arts, black belt rankings, and college degrees in fields such as sociology, physiology, health science, and business, and some have additional experience in sports like ice hockey, Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and yoga. Mr. Amacker presides over the Sunday sparring program and maintains a wide network of martial arts contacts.
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 a philosophy that does not follow a militaristic hierarchy and emphasizes inclusiveness and making students feel welcomed and valued regardless of fitness level or gender. Parents are described as loving bringing their children to Baker's because they can observe experienced teachers offering their children character and confidence building, physical fitness, safety awareness, interaction with kids from diverse backgrounds, leadership, and self discipline. Students are expected to learn the Baker's Martial Arts Student Creed, may be asked to recite it, and may be asked to discuss how it relates to their martial arts training, including ideas such as striving to build true confidence, keeping friendship with one another, and building a strong and happy community.
Mr. Baker began teaching in 1973 at the Young Adult Project in Berkeley, a Model Cities program for inner city youth, and by June 1980 had promoted 13 students to Black Belt. Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram, who is 16 years old, wears a junior Black Belt and has trained consistently for over eleven years, states that he started training right after his 5th birthday and that Tae Kwon Do has helped him in his basketball career, in school, and with his general attitude toward life. According to Instructor Jeff Simon, his training and extended family at the studio have had a dramatic impact on his health, confidence, and way of life.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Baker's Martial Arts Cultural Center was established in 1980 and was a fixture in the Berkeley community for 18 years before moving to its present location in the Glenview district in Oakland in 1997. 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 his Tae Kwon Do curriculum. The center conducts online classes, and families can book classes online through the website.
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 his BA and then a Masters Degree in Health Science at 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 Mr. Baker was awarded Tae Kwon Do Master of the Year and inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
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. Several instructors and guest instructors have long training histories at Baker's Martial Arts, black belt rankings, and college degrees in fields such as sociology, physiology, health science, and business, and some have additional experience in sports like ice hockey, Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and yoga. Mr. Amacker presides over the Sunday sparring program and maintains a wide network of martial arts contacts.
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 a philosophy that does not follow a militaristic hierarchy and emphasizes inclusiveness and making students feel welcomed and valued regardless of fitness level or gender. Parents are described as loving bringing their children to Baker's because they can observe experienced teachers offering their children character and confidence building, physical fitness, safety awareness, interaction with kids from diverse backgrounds, leadership, and self discipline. Students are expected to learn the Baker's Martial Arts Student Creed, may be asked to recite it, and may be asked to discuss how it relates to their martial arts training, including ideas such as striving to build true confidence, keeping friendship with one another, and building a strong and happy community.
Mr. Baker began teaching in 1973 at the Young Adult Project in Berkeley, a Model Cities program for inner city youth, and by June 1980 had promoted 13 students to Black Belt. Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram, who is 16 years old, wears a junior Black Belt and has trained consistently for over eleven years, states that he started training right after his 5th birthday and that Tae Kwon Do has helped him in his basketball career, in school, and with his general attitude toward life. According to Instructor Jeff Simon, his training and extended family at the studio have had a dramatic impact on his health, confidence, and way of life.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
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