MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
GRAND MASTER
DANNY STEWART SR.
JAN / 2011
"The training hall is where you face your fears and
conquer them so that you can become a champion in life."
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I would like to introduce Martialforce.com readers to Grand Master Danny Stewart. He is an East Coast based Martial Artist who’s has been training and teaching for over thirty years. Stewart and I initially met back in 1985, when he was teaching a Karate class at Connie’s Boxing gym located on 125th street in Harlem New York. Master George Bradley and I visited him with the intention of learning Superempai which is a high level Kata in the Gojuryu Karate system. We arrived as he was teaching two green belt students that were strong and focused. Looking at how developed his students were in Gojuryu Karate, made me confident that he was an exceptional teacher. He took the time from his students to teach me the Kata and its application, which I still practice to this day 25 years later.
Recently in August of 2010, I contacted Stewart by phone and reminded him of that day back in 1985. My contacting him had a dual purpose, which was first and foremost to thank him for the knowledge he gave me and second was an invitation to be interviewed for Martialforce.com. In life, when you think back on all the people that have helped you develop and continue your journey it’s always good at some point to let them know you appreciated their help. In essence they have contributed to the person that you have become through their willingness to impart knowledge and give you the tools for development. As I reflect I realize that a person reading this would say, he just taught me a kata… but you would have to understand my dedication to appreciate my thoughts. I can recall practicing that Kata everyday for hours at a time then eventually teaching it to my black belt students. It was a pivotal moment for me because it tied together all my previous knowledge to where I could see a new beginning.
At this time I want to thank you Grand Master Stewart for taking the time to help me advance in my Gojuryu practice, which has been a major part of my life. There is a saying that goes “If you throw a pebble in a pond, the ripples will affect its surroundings for a long time to come. My students and I have gained insight from the ripples of your teaching. The Martialforce.com staff and I appreciate that you took the time to do this interview.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and what area did you grow up in?
DANNY STEWART SR: I was born in New York City and raised in Harlem.
Martialforce.com: What is your current occupation?
DANNY STEWART SR: I am the co-founder of the Goju Elite School. The school is located in Brooklyn New York. The goal of our school is to spread the Gojuryu system throughout our city and later open branches to meet our objective. My idea is to maintain a strong tradition of basic karate practice , courtesy and respect.
Martialforce.com: When, where and with who did you begin your Martial Arts training?
DANNY STEWART SR:
I started in 1970 at the Harlem Karate academy. My style is Gojuryu Karate
and my teacher is Grand Master Ernest Hyman., Through out the years I
also studied with Carl T Smith and Helbert J Lee.
Grand Master Ernest Hyman
Martialforce.com: What do you feel that the practice of Martial Arts has given you?
DANNY STEWART SR:
karate gave me self respect and discipline which kept me focused throughout
my life regardless of the task at hand.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence in Martial Arts and throughout your life?
DANNY STEWART SR:
I have a couple of inspirational people in my life and that is Fred
Miller, Earl Bennett and Carl T Smith. I watched sensei’s
Fred Miller and Earl Bennett fight in tournaments and they had a no nonsense
approach to technique and application coupled with an iron will to win. When
I met sensei Carl T Smith he had the same sense of basic combat with a
tactical embodiment.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that the practice of Kata (Pre-arranged Movements) is useful and if so why?
DANNY STEWART SR: I believe that the practice of kata ( Pre-arranged Movements) is useful because you strengthen your foundation. It is a discipline of motion while engaging your mind in its basic, technical as well as intricate movements. When practiced correctly the benefits are endless. Throughout my years of teaching, practice and observation I have seen the difference between those that practice kata and those that don’t. The techniques in regards to accuracy and fluid motion is one of the prominent factors which becomes apparent. Another point which is important is understanding what the movements in the Kata are for. This strengthens your confidence in its execution on all levels. Without Kata as part of your training then you are not practicing Karate. I will continue to practice Kata because Kata is Karate and karate is my life.
Martialforce.com: Was there any other activity you were involved in besides Karate?
Yes, when I was about seven years old I ran track straight through my high school days. I met a police officer , Bob Smith that was from the 25th precinct. Officer Smith created a track team that he named, the jaguars. I ran track meets at the armory on 142 street in Harlem. Randal's Island and a few other places. We won allot of competitions throughout the state and it was a great experience. I believe this training build me up for the rigors of karate which became my life.
Martialforce.com: From your experience, what do you believe defines a good Martial Arts practitioner?
DANNY STEWART SR: I believe in honesty and consistency in training. To be good in any endeavor there must be some degree of passion for your work. I have always practiced my basics endlessly and I credit this dedication to my present success. While everyone has there reason for training, there always has to be a sense of passion and dedication.
Stewart letting his opponent know he meant business
Martialforce.com: What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?
DANNY
STEWART SR:
My greatest achievement is when I gave Richard Monroe his black belt. He has
studied with me since he was ten and has never lost his dedication to the
art. When he first walked through the door of the school with his brothers
Lamont and Randal. He got on the floor to train and I saw pure
determination!
Martialforce.com: Do you have long-term plans in regards to Martial Arts?
DANNY STEWART SR:
Yes, I will continue to practice and strengthen the art of Goju Karate and
teach as I have been taught. I also have plans on writing a book on the art
which I will begin in the near future.
Martialforce.com: Were you or your students tournament competitors?
DANNY STEWART SR:
Yes, we are active competitors. I began competing in 1970 through Grand
Master Aaron Banks tournaments. I fought in many of his events throughout
the New York city area. I was also on a team that was lead by Grand
Master
Thomas Lapuppet in the AAU and competed in fighting. I also competed in
breaking and won consistently, I was a kata competitor as well .
Martialforce.com: While there are advantages to tournament competition do you think there is a downside and if so, what?
DANNY STEWART SR: The downside of tournament competition is bad judgment. You have young kids judging Masters and these kids are wearing 4th and 5th degrees. The other is the tournaments have gotten out of hand because there are too many places to win. In the old days there were three places which made you work hard. It was a time when even if you didn't place you were still a winner in personal gain. You learned so much because everyone fought with spirit and technique to win so the level of expertise was high. These days you don’t really have to try because you know you'll leave with a trophy. In the early days of competition you hit hard with sharp technique and were respected by the judges but now you can win with a partial technique that never made contact. The hard work flew out of the window.
Martialforce.com: At what age do you believe a child should start Martial Arts training?
DANNY STEWART SR: I think at the age of 6 is a good time to start your craft. My thought is they are more likely to understand why they are training but of course there are exceptions. I have seen places where small children are in the class but it appears it more of a baby sitting then class because the child doesn't have a clue what's happening and I re iterate there are exceptions.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any words you would like to say to anyone wishing to begin training?
DANNY STEWART SR: Yes, if you think about something too much, you will never get it done. You must participate because only then will you know if its something that is for you. Karate training has done so much for me that I can say with confidence that you will be taking a positive road to bringing out the best in yourself. You just have to take the first step and your instructor will help you in your journey.
For me Karate training has always been a metaphor for life. The training hall is where you face your fears and conquer them so that you can become a champion in life no matter what your goals are. I know that to be a beginner in any endeavor there is always some type of fear that holds you back but if you take the first step you'll realize that its more then just a punch and a kick. I wish everyone reading this a pleasant and safe journey no matter what life hits you with!
Martialforce.com: Thank you for this interview and may you have great success in all future endeavors.
DANNY STEWART SR: Thank you as well for your time and the dedication you put into this Online Magazine. Without Martialforce.com allot of east coast old school Martial Artist would be forgotten.
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