Robert Lynds Owner/Instructor

Robert Lynds started his training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 12 with a friend and now Fitness Plus, WTM Director Shane Moch. He continued to excel in the Martial Arts, and challenged himself with Kickboxing under Mike Miles throughout his teenage years.

Robert joined WTM in 1998, studying under Grand Master Kwon Mo Yun (9th degree Hapkido Grand Master), and alongside Master Albert Han (5th degree WTM & Hapkido Master), and Master Rio Han. He is a member of the WTM Black Belt Demo Team, specializing in Self-Defence, the Art of Sword, Long Staff and Acrobatic Kicking Techniques. Robert has achieved 3rd Degree Black Belt level in two disciplines within the last five years.

Head Instructor Robert James

Robert James began martial arts training at sixteen with Chinese Wushu and quickly fell in love with Chinese martial arts. At eighteen, he began an intensive study of Bak Hsing Choy Lay Fut (CLF) which emphasizes explosive long range hand combinations and the coordination of simultaneous attacks from the arms and legs. CLF is renowned throughout South East Asia for producing champions: CLF fighters were the first Chinese boxers to defeat muay thai kickboxers in Thailand.

In 2008, he received his second degree black sash & the blessing of his Sifu, Master Henry Suen Wai, to accept students and teach the system.

Always being curious to learn and explore, Robert has taken the opportunity to train in almost a dozen other different styles over the years. He also has considerable competition experience in both forms and sparring, and has taken more than 20 top three finishes in Canada and the US. Since 2007, he has pursued sport fight training.

In early 2008, he moved to New York City to train in Sanshou (Chinese kickboxing) and to begin instructor training in Sun Style Tai Chi. Regular training with other amateur fighters in Harlem fostered a radical new appreciation for hard training, and significantly enhanced his sparring game. Since moving to Vancouver, he has continued to pursue training in sanshou, Sun Style Tai Chi, & submission grappling.

Instructor Justin Jay

Justin Jay began his martial arts training at the age of 16. From this grappling art, he branched out to study mixed martial arts and various other systems. In his 7 years of experience, he follows the Jeet Kune Do philosophy where he takes the best aspects of different martial arts and combines it into his own effective self-defense system.

Some of the styles that Justin draws influence from are Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Kickboxing, and Jeet Kune Do. He trains in Hapkido and loves studying Kali, a Phillippino martial art centered around weapons. In 2008, Justin won the Morganti Ju-jitsu tournament in the 145 lb weight class.

Instructor Jesse Hodsman

For Jesse Hodsman, martial arts is one part of a life long pursuit of health and fitness. Growing up as an avid skier, snowboarder and gymnast, Jesse became most interested in martial arts, breakdancing and acrobatics in high school. First training in Shaolin Wushu he later studied northern Shaolin and Choy Lay Fut kung fu. He then went on to study Chen style taiji with world famous Master Chen Zhounghua as well as Filipino stick fighting and tricking/XMA (extreme martial arts) Not only a martial artist, Jesse is a personal trainer, an expert in human kinesthetics and periodized cross training. His knowledge of sports science and nutrition make him an invaluable addition to Dojang. Jesse is currently completing a degree in environmental systems design at UBC.

Instructor Natasha Kotwal

Natasha Kotwal began studying Chito-Ryu karate at the age of 10, and unlike the other activities her mother pushed her to do, it stuck. She began her training under Sensei Robert Lee in Burnaby, and has since trained in both Halifax with Sensei Michael Delaney, and in Montreal under Sensei Thierry Debeur. She received her black belt in 2004.

Natasha is currently training and teaching at Dojang Studios. Teaching has always been an important part of her martial arts experience, and she is excited to pass on her knowledge. She is enjoying the opportunity to learn new styles of martial arts, and be part of the Dojang team.

Instructor Rachel Duke

Bio to come.


Instructor Guy McVey

Guy Mcvey has been immersed in martial arts since age 10 when his mother insisted that he get out of the house that summer, and has not looked back since. Training in ITF Taekwon Do allowed Guy to grow as a person, while developing skills that would define him later in life.

Teaching and passing on techniques as well as mentoring was something always fostered in Guy. From a very early age, Guy was instructing class as a way to give back. He went on to earn a second black belt later under the WTF Taekwon Do association. Competition brought out the best over the years, seeing Guy earn numerous medals, including Western Canadian sparring and forms champion two years running.

Guy currently studies under Robert Lynds and Robert James to earn his black belt under the Dojang system. Giving back is a big part of Guy’s plan, and he feels the true reward is when his students learn and meet their goals.

At 33 Guy is still growing and learning thanks to Dojang, and is very excited to be a part of this dynamic and rapidly growing team. Guy’s mother is very proud.