About Us

Dave Panarelli is the owner and instructor of PDT. He has 25 years of martial arts experience and holds a 4th degree black belt in a combative style of martial art called Hen San Ryu. This is an eclectic style of martial art consisting of Judo, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do and Shudokan Karate formulated by Shihan Ken Walsh. Dave has also spent some time studying Jeet Kune Do concepts and the Filipino martial art of Kali/ Escrima. Dave also credits training to Torke’ Blaise Loong studying the Filipino Warrior Arts of stick and knife fighting and Jun Fan Fighting Method/Jeet Kune Do concepts. From 1991- 2003, Dave actively competed around New England on the martial arts tournament circuit, in fighting, forms and weaponry, earning several top honors.

After moving to Utah, from 2004 -2009, Dave taught martial arts to middle school and Jr. High students in Heber City as a social skill building class. This program was designed specifically to work with “at risk” students. The curriculum focused on developing skills to increase self-esteem, discipline and focus ability, along with deescalating anxiety and frustration levels. 


Dave continues training and teaching students of all ages including; Law Enforcement, specifically related to defensive knife tactics and close quarter training, private self-defense lessons, group and corporate self-defense and Rape Awareness Prevention “RAP”.