Personal training and Martial Arts

About The Instructor And The Training Regimen Used.

My name is Henry Dopwell Jr. My interest on learning to defend myself began in high school. I started with high school wrestling, which then led to me learn boxing. I then began to learn martial arts in the fall of 1974. I learned Judo, Karate, various styles of Kung-fu, joint locks, throws, strikes. I attended various seminars which led me to study Aikido, Aiki-jitsu, Jui-Jitsu, and finally Ninjitsu under the late Grandmaster Ronald Duncan. I have been an instructor for over 35 years, in various arts. Mostly, volunteer work with young students who were bullied. I have also private classes and have been a guest instructor when needed. I am currently teaching private lessons. One of the reasons why I teach, is I was once bullied in school. When one is surrounded by multiple attackers, one feels helpless. I learned from wonderful instructors who taught me not only to defend myself but, discipline. Their instruction has served me well in my life.

A series of E-books, videos, and other downloadable products is forthcoming and will be made available on this page. Please feel free to contact me.

Students are asked to bring several water bottles. A towel. And, a sweat uniform or suitable attire for training. Foot gear such as sneakers or boots are requested. I do not adhere to the traditional martial arts uniform. I do sell them if the student wishes to purchase one. When one is confronted out in the street, we cannot change into a traditional martial arts uniform. The assailant is not going to wait to give us a chance to go into a “stance,” or get into a marital arts “trance.” The training is intense and designed to give the student as close to a “real life,” situation as possible. As a former law enforcement officer of the New York City Police Department, I have seen and been involved in many altercations. I bring this knowledge with me when I instruct my students. They are trained by me personally. I supervise their training and any questions, concerns are efficiently resolved. We address a number of current issues and role-playing is encouraged. When the media broadcasts how a person was attacked throw film, we discuss it in class and go over ways to counteract the attack, or the attacker. Our primary goal is non-violence. The second goal, is to avoid negative confrontation, whenever possible. I do not adhere or ascribe to one martial art, boxing, or wrestling style. Rather, this is an amalgam of styles, techniques, that work. For example, a style of suit or dress, is made differently for different body types. The same idea is used in this “form.” The focus is to “deal with the real life situation being presented.”

When someone wants to learn, I ask them “why,” they want to learn this “style.” Usually, if the answer is not a negative one, they become a student. If they are of teenage years attending high school and they have a desire to go to college, I try to find them a scholarship. The most important aspect of training, is watching the individual grow to NOT use their martial arts skills. But rather, become a useful and productive member of society.

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