Business Details
Your Trusted Martial Arts Academy in Pittsford, NY
At Agape Black Belt Center, we are proud to offer transformative martial arts training that has positively impacted hundreds of families across the Rochester area. With over 50 years of combined experience, our programs emphasize discipline, confidence, and holistic self-improvement for students of all ages. Our approach integrates traditional Taekwondo techniques with life skills development, fostering physical, mental, and emotional growth. We specialize in youth and adult classes, after-school programs, and family-oriented training designed to build resilience and community. Our certified instructors prioritize safety, personalized attention, and creating an inclusive environment where students thrive.Recognized as a Rochester martial arts landmark, we are committed to helping individuals achieve their goals in martial arts, academics, and personal development. Through structured curricula and events like leadership workshops and competitive training, we nurture perseverance, respect, and lifelong values. Our facility includes dedicated spaces for learning, recreation, and creative activities, ensuring a well-rounded experience. We actively engage with parents and students to adapt our programs to modern challenges, such as post-pandemic social and focus needs. By combining physical conditioning with character development, we empower students to excel beyond the dojang in all aspects of life.
Services
Youth TaeKwonDo
Adult TaeKwonDo
After School Program
Family Taekwondo
Self-Defense Courses
Olympic Style Training
Poomsae Workshops
Summer Camps
Leadership Programs
Women's Martial Arts
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of combined martial arts instruction experience with proven youth development results
- Our family-friendly programs cater to all skill levels and age groups from preschoolers to adults
- We provide structured character development alongside physical training in our curriculum
- Our facility includes specialized spaces for after-school learning and recreational activities
- We maintain a strong community reputation with hundreds of satisfied Rochester-area families
What people say
Lifelong friendships
Personal growth
Improved focus
Confidence building
Positive environment
Services
Youth TaeKwonDo
Our Youth TaeKwonDo program helps children develop discipline, focus, and confidence through structured martial arts training. Students learn traditional techniques while building respect, perseverance, and social skills in a supportive environment that complements school learning and character development. Classes are designed to accommodate various age groups and skill levels.
Family Taekwondo
Family Taekwondo sessions create bonding opportunities while improving physical fitness for all participants. Parents train alongside children to learn self-defense techniques, build strength, and develop mutual respect through shared learning experiences that reinforce values like patience and perseverance in home environments.
After School Program
This extended program combines martial arts instruction with homework assistance and recreational activities. Designed to support post-pandemic learning recovery, it helps children regain focus and social skills through structured routines that include academic support, creative play, and physical development activities.
Olympic Style Training
Our Olympic-style training program develops advanced TaeKwonDo skills for competition readiness. Students receive specialized instruction in tournament techniques, sparring strategies, and poomsae forms while maintaining traditional martial arts principles. This program builds physical agility, mental discipline, and competitive confidence under certified instructors.
Self-Defense Courses
These practical courses teach real-world self-defense techniques applicable to various situations. Participants learn situational awareness, conflict avoidance strategies, and physical defense methods while building confidence and personal safety awareness in a controlled, supportive learning environment.
People
Chief Master John Ra
Instructor
With over 50 years of martial arts experience, Chief Master John Ra leads our programs with expertise in traditional and Olympic TaeKwonDo. He specializes in youth character development and competitive training while maintaining a strong commitment to community growth through martial arts education.
Mrs. Ra
Instructor
Co-founder Mrs. Ra brings extensive martial arts instruction experience to our programs. She focuses on family engagement and character education, working closely with students and parents to ensure positive development outcomes through structured martial arts training and life skills instruction.
Questions
What age groups do your programs accommodate?
We offer programs for children aged 4+ through adults, with specialized classes for preschoolers (Tiny Tigers), youth, teens, and adults.
Do you offer family training options?
Yes, our Family Taekwondo program allows multiple family members to train together while learning at appropriate skill levels.
What should I wear for my first class?
Wear comfortable workout clothes to try our trial classes. Uniforms are required for regular participation.
How do you approach character development?
Our curriculum integrates the 10 Commandments of TaeKwonDo, focusing on respect, perseverance, and discipline through structured lessons and positive reinforcement.
Are there competitive opportunities available?
Yes, we provide Olympic-style training and competition preparation for interested students, with regular participation in local and regional tournaments.
What safety measures are in place?
Our instructors prioritize injury prevention through proper technique instruction, progressive training intensity, and supervised skill practice in all classes.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Gabriella Kordovski
Jun 22, 2021
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I do Take Won Do there its fanaminal! you can do it at any age and its full on training! there like your second family nice and caring. also they do camps like summer camp presidents week camp spring break camp and im sure there's more! so sign up your child they will learn respect self control and many more! so if your child is interested in doing TKD take them to Agape black belt center.
Michelle Chiantera
May 28, 2021
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Agape Black Belt Center is my daughter's second home and family. She has been practicing Tae Kwon Do for 5+ years, attends every camp she can and participates in the After School Care program. The Agape family has played a critical role in shaping who she is today. She is confident, independent, kind and respectful. We are grateful to be a part of this amazing community.
AND I add more, I took the self-defense seminar this past weekend and it was AWESOME. I walked away with a handful of practical tips on how to protect myself using my body. I hope Agape does more of these seminars!!!
AND I add more, I took the self-defense seminar this past weekend and it was AWESOME. I walked away with a handful of practical tips on how to protect myself using my body. I hope Agape does more of these seminars!!!
Twylla Dillion
Dec 30, 2019
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We love Agape! The Ra family are incredible and our son looks forward to seeing them everyday at the superb after-school program and in class. There is a wonderful sense of expertise, calm and respect that is priceless at Agape. We are looking forward to sending our younger child as soon as she is 4.
Akira S.
Oct 19, 2019
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I went to a Yelp elite event at the Agape Black Belt Center and had so much fun! All of the instructors were extremely helpful, kind and funny. Everyone we worked with were very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, I can't commit to two days a week for a year right now, but if I had a child, I would definitely sign him or her up. I like how they teach important qualities like respect and perseverance as well as Marital arts.
Danielle S.
Sep 20, 2019
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I have been training at Agape Black Belt Center for about a year in their hapkido program and I love every moment of it! Master Ra is a master of taekwondo, judo, and hapkido and the Ra family runs an efficient, knowledgeable, and family-friendly dojang!
Mr. Bill Bendschneider is the hapkido instructor (also a black belt in the art) and he does a wonderful job of making the lessons accessible to all skill levels. I started with only a very basic level of martial arts knowledge and have had a ton of fun learning hapkido and progressing through the belt levels. Hapkido has been a great way for me
Mr. Bill Bendschneider is the hapkido instructor (also a black belt in the art) and he does a wonderful job of making the lessons accessible to all skill levels. I started with only a very basic level of martial arts knowledge and have had a ton of fun learning hapkido and progressing through the belt levels. Hapkido has been a great way for me
Danielle S.
Feb 01, 2019
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I'm updating my review to include photos of the new dojang! Agape BBC recently moved to a new state of the art facility and it is gorgeous inside.
I've been taking hapkido at this dojang for about five months now and I am still enjoying every minute of it. I've learned so much, not only self defense techniques but also Korean culture and self discipline. It's a great workout and I still highly recommend joining, especially with the new dojang and expanded space!
I've been taking hapkido at this dojang for about five months now and I am still enjoying every minute of it. I've learned so much, not only self defense techniques but also Korean culture and self discipline. It's a great workout and I still highly recommend joining, especially with the new dojang and expanded space!
Michelle C.
Jan 12, 2019
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Agape Black Belt Center is like our extended family. Our 8 year old daughter has been doing Tae Kwon Do (TKD) there for a few years and it has been amazing to see how much Agape has influenced the strong young girl that she is (physical and emotional). The Ra family has helped to shape who she is today and I what she will be in the future. In addition to TKD, our daughter participants in camps and events for kids (Bullying Workshop). Agape focuses on the whole child. We are so grateful we made the call to Master Ra a few years ago.
