Home › California › Bakersfield › Y.J.Im Tae Kwon Do Academy
Y.J.Im Tae Kwon Do Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 120 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Bakersfield, California
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Membership memberships run around $160/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule grandmasterim.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 661-835-8808
Hours
| Monday | 3–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 3–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 3–8 pm |
| Thursday | 3–8 pm |
| Friday | 3–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been going to this thaekwondo institute since 2023 and is still continuing he started of when he was almost 8 and now he is a brown belt.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“The instructor is patient and professional.”
“Not only does he work so well with children of all ages, but the diversity within the academy is extremely impressive and beautiful.”
“Highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a supportive and structured environment for their child to thrive!”
“My son absolutely loves coming to class and is so proud to tell everyone that he does Tae Kwon Do.”
“Grandmaster has an astounding background of expertise and education, that no other instructor in Kern County can compete with.”
“I highly recommend this studio as my husband is a 2nd degree black belt and said he really liked the structure and discipline of this Dojang.”
From the reviews
My Daughter has been coming here since she was 5 yrs old she is now 15yrs old! Mr.& Mrs.Im are great all around people they have become more than just Martial Arts Instructors in these last 10yrs to me and my daughter they’ve become more like family, their martial arts have a old school approach with a modern feel…
My son started classes 1 month after turning 5 years old. He has now been there for 7months and has learned so much! He is motivated and excited to participate in his first tournament! I highly recommend this place you will not regret it!
My 7 year old son has been under Grandmaster Y.J.Im's instruction for roughly 6 months. This is the academy I chose for him, after doing my research in the Kern County area.
My children started coming to this Dojang during the summer when paying for an after school activity became to expensive. We were doing 1 hr a week for over $160 a month for my daughter. I had to find another alternative for exercise for my kiddos. We walked into Y.J.
New to taekwondo? Start at Y.J.Im Tae Kwon Do Academy
Y.J.Im Tae Kwon Do Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at Y.J.Im Tae Kwon Do Academy
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More taekwondo schools near Bakersfield
Han's Tae Kwon DO Academy
Han's Tae Kwon Do Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 35 reviews
