Matt Baker Sensei, Instructor – Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)

Matt Baker Sensei is the first person to earn the rank of black belt in Aikido from West Linn Dojo. He has earned the rank of Jokyu in Ki Development from Oregon Ki Society headquarters. Matt joined the dojo the very month we opened our doors at our current location in 2017. He immediately began volunteering around the dojo and taking a central role in helping to run our operations. He dove enthusiastically into learning the art with his entire family. Matt began serving as a children’s program assistant in 2020 and has served as Dojo Manager since 2018. He has helped with everything from remodeling the dojo, to running classes, volunteering at camps, to being West Linn’s resident weapon-smith.

 

Family Man, Woodworking guru & Engineer

Matt Baker Sensei is a long time resident of West Linn, married with two teens who attend West Linn High School. His wife Gayle is a local Yoga instructor who has also trained at the dojo. For the Bakers, Ki-Aikido is a family affair. They embody our approach to family training. Matt is a passionate and skilled woodworker who unleashed his considerable talents on West Linn dojo. He has donated his time with everything from room remodeling, to handcrafting wooden practice swords for our students. During the day, Baker Sensei works as a highly gifted Engineer designing HVAC systems for commercial buildings around Oregon. In his previous life, he worked in the Forestry service and is a passionate outdoorsman and fisherman. Matt brings his hard-working, dependable, and ever cheerful attitude to everything he does. He embodies the very best the Ki Society has to offer: Friendship, Dedication, Hard-work, Self Sacrifice, Loyalty and Community Service. He has been an excellent example to all students of how to apply his training to his daily life.

 

My Goal

Matt Baker Sensei’s goal is to help Ward Sensei continue to grow and improve the dojo while spreading the teachings of Tohei Sensei. He is excited to take his place with Acosta Sensei and Ward Sensei as teachers of Aikido to the West Linn community.