Damion W.

Hello,

My specialties are functional martial arts/Combatives and cutting edge strength & sports training(i.e. Plyometrics, active resistance, Russian Strength training, mobility and reflex exercises).

I focus very strongly on the self-defense and personal improvement aspect of the martial arts. I take a very pragmatic approach to unarmed and weapon defense and use.

I have been studying martial arts for 30 years, and was made Head Instructor of the Philadelphia branch of the Ntwadeumela School of Kenjutsu/Aikijujutsu in 2002.

I have also studied Yoga and Pilates, with an emphasis on joint repair/rehabilitation and joint strength. My years of experience allow him to train you in a complete self-defense program or work with you to develop your body so that it is strong and healthy using the latest techniques combined with time tested methods.

Here are some key points from my experience in the martial arts:

World Karate Union "Master Instructor of the year" 2004

Instructor at "Karate College" Radford University, VA 2004-2005.

I am still a somewhat Active Competitor, I showed up to both of these at 201lbs and got a chance to fight with opponents 40-80lbs heavier:
NAGA Men's Advanced Gi & No-Gi Divisions - 2009 World Championship Silver Medal in Advanced Super HeavyWeight Gi Division.
2nd Place GI & No-Gi Masters Expert Super HeavyWeight Division, NAGA Philadelphia 2012

Actor/Stuntman:

Waterbender in "The Last Airbender" unarmed versus sword and spear in costumed fantasy.
"Knife Fighter" in "Game Start" - Lead - knife versus crowbar in independent short.
Stunt Coordinator/Choreographer for a number of independent and student films over the last 10 years.

Martial Arts:

Head Instructor - Modern Kenjutsu
Head Instructor - Ntwadeumela Philadelphia School of Kenjutsu/Aikijujutsu

Black Belts:

Aikido(jr)
Aikijujutsu
Karate(jr)
Kenjutsu
Tae Kwon Do(jr)

Background in:
Jeet Kune Do
Buijinkan Tai-Jutsu(ninjutsu)
Krav Maga
Tai Chi
Chin Na
Fencing
Military H2h
Kickboxing
Firearms

Fitness Skills:

Power Yoga
Pilates
Russian Strength Training
Colgan Power Program
PNF
Plyometrics

Certifications:

Certified Personal Trainer - ISMA - 1996
Sambo Leg Locks - John Miller - 2012
Combat Jujutsu Instructor - Michael Depasquale, Jr. - 2004
JKD Combatives Basic Instructor - Bruce Pahl - 2011
BJJ Submissions - Paul Creighton - 2009, 2011
Stick and Police Baton Instructor - Joe Hess - 2008
Associate Coach - Mark Hatmaker - 2008,2011-2015
Insomnia Submissions - Mark Hatmaker 2010
Kickboxing Coach Level one - Joe Lewis/Bill Wallace - 2007
CPR/AED - U.S. Red Cross - 1996 & 2003
Anthony Delongis Sword & Bullwhip Fundamental Concepts and Combative Applications
Hoch Hochheim - Level one Knife vs Knife Instructor - 2008
Michael Depasquale Jr, Action Film Camp 2002 attendee (won first place in skit choreography/stunt/performance competition )

My programs and training sessions are custom tailored to the students needs and goals.

NAGA Men's Advanced Gi / No Gi Divisions - 2009 World Championship Silver Medal in Advanced Super HeavyWeight Gi Division.
2nd Place GI & No-Gi Masters Expert Super HeavyWeight Division, NAGA Philadelphia 2012
WTF TKD Pennsylvania Championships Gold Medal Sparring 1994

In our first session, we sit and talk about your goals for the first half, the second half is a diagnostic to see where you are in relation to those goals.
In your standard training session, You show up to the Hidden Grove dojo, We talk a moment to make sure everything is as it should be, if it's particularly cold out, we might have some tea or other drink to warm us up as we check in. We then walk through the large garden to the secluded outdoor training area, settle our things and begin training for your goals. We may do some stretching, some calisthenics or conditioning, or we may just get right into teaching you new techniques. After our session, I usually give you something to work on during the week, and suggest stretches to help heal and prepare you for the next session. While I have some regulars, most of my private sessions are by people wanting to work on specific skills. I am happy to do one-offs or a small series of lessons on topics.

Some topics people contact me for:
Learning to use weapons: sword, staff, baton, knife, throwing knives.
Avoidance techniques
Stealing the opponents Balance/Throwing/Takedowns
Bone shielding/hard point defenses
Bone grabbing/chin na principles
Striking/Kicking/Blocking with Power
Gun Disarms
Knife Disarms
Pressure/Pain Points (not the mystical sort, just how to use nerves to add to your techniques)
Joint locks