About Master Chief Dana Danger Charvet, PhD
Dana Charvet, owner and instructor of Charvet Martial Arts Academy, is a multi-award winning and celebrated martial arts master. His passion for the martial arts led to a storied career that has spanned decades, starting at age five in Japan when he joined the Air Force Judo program to most recently, his 2019 induction into the Masters Hall of Fame and Hall of Heroes and Tai Chi Instructor of the Year honor.
Dana has worked and trained with martial arts superstars such as famous grandmaster Judo Gene LeBell (aka “The Godfather of Grappling”), Benny “the Jet” Uriquidez, Bas Rutten, and many more. His achievements span several disciplines, including International Sport karate title belt - ISKA, 1981 Kickboxer of the Year, the Gene LeBell World Grappling Tournament title belt, 2006 USA Martial
Arts Hall of Fame’s Jiu-Jitsu Instructor of the Year, and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Mixed Martial Arts Master of the Year, and so much more.
Teaching has been an integral part of Dana’s career. In addition to teaching over 500 kids a week with his non-profit endeavors, he created and opened the Charvet Martial Arts and Fitness Academy. The USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame awarded him the “Silver Lifetime Achievement” award for over 30 years of teaching in the industry. Dana received the “President’s Fitness Award“ and a “Special Recognition“ award from the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on National Martial Arts Day for his contributions.
Community outreach comes naturally to Dana. Dana’s mother, besides being a Judoka, was also a medical missionary and physician’s assistant with Mother Theresa. Dana followed in doing his part by teaming up with the not-for-profit group, Interface Children and Family Services to create programs for at-risk youth, women, and families. Those programs, including martial arts and Tai Chi, had an amazing impact “building confidence through achievement.” For Interface and the Young Olympians youth programs, Dana wrote curriculum, hired and trained hundreds of instructors, and maintained over 100 locations in California from San Diego to San Francisco as well as personally teaching over 500 kids a week. In addition, Dana started his own not-for-profit group called “Y.E.S. For Kids”, Y.E.S. Youth Education and Safety programs out of Ventura, California.
In keeping with his family’s military tradition, he received a judo scholarship to the Air Force Academy. He worked with the Department of Defense and developed programs for the armed services, taught Marine Corps and Navy personnel, and was also a combative instructor for Blackwater, and a coach for the USMC fight team. Dana’s son Sean, also a Jui Jitsu black belt, served as an “Iron Army Ranger” who received the Bronze Star and a “Peace Keeper” medal from the United Nations. In April 2019, Dana’ son Sean died in the line of duty.
Due to his individual accomplishments, Dana’s expertise has been requested by Hollywood. He worked on a variety of martial arts TV and movie, documentary, and reality shows such as Discovery Channel’s “Fight Quest”, “Fight Science”, “Warrior Island”, ESPN’s “Big Brawlers”, “Gym Rescue”, and “The Ultimate Fighter”. He also worked as a trainer and fight choreographer for actors like Brandon Lee, Michael Jai White, Cung Lee, and Ziyi Zhang.
In addition to teaching out of Grateful Body gym in Morro Bay, California, future plans include representing the USA as a competitor and coach in the “Caribbean Cup“ in Cancun in October and in Jamaica in February 2020.
Moving to Inglewood, California, he began
training with Professor sensei Toru Tanaka, a Kodokan Judo Kano Jujitsu instructor, who later, at age 20, awarded Dana with his first
black belt.
By the age of 10 he was competing in the national and international competitions for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), USA Judo and a sponsored member of the Adidas World Judo team. His accomplishments there helped Dana earn a judo scholarship into the Air Force Academy.
Belt instructor in Judo and grappling under the
famous grandmaster Judo Gene LeBell, ( AKA “The Godfather of Grappling”). Gene LeBell taught Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris grappling.
Dana also is highlighted in the “Encyclopedia of Grappling”. Sensei Gene gave Dana his nickname “Danger“ because of the trouble he puts his opponents in!
At age 14, he represented the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club against the Sacramento Boys and Girls Club, with the then not-so-famous Julio Cesaer Chavez, lasting 10 rounds.
He went on to reach the ranking of Silver Gloves and became a professional coach, trainer, referee, and judge for USA boxing, as well as training professional and Olympic boxers.
He competed on the tournament circuit for five years and in 1981 at the Long Beach International Championship won the International Sport Karate title belt – ISKA – and also received “Kickboxer of the Year.”
During that time, he also studied Shaolin praying mantis kung fu and Tai chi Chi gong under grandmaster Kam Yuan.
Dana became a professional Full Contact fighter and competed on the international level in Kickboxing, kung fu, Karate and Muay Thai, including a Pro K-1 kickboxing match at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He was a finisher in the three day “Ultimate World Black Belt Challenge Championship“. He holds a 6th degree black belt in the KyoKushin Budo Kai’s “All Round Fighting” system. He is the west coast branch chief under grandmaster Jon Blooming.
Grappling Challenge, North American Grappling Association NAGA, and the Gene LeBell World Grappling Tournament where he won his title belt.
He is a certified instructor in “Shamrock Submission Fighting”, and was a coach and trainer for Frank and Ken Shamrock. He is a Pat Militich Fighting System instructor and coached on the same team for several UFC fights. Dana trained and coached with the Hayastan
fighting team for the UFC, and is a level six grappling instructor
under the undefeated Gokor Chivichian.
Dana trained with Rorian, Royce & Rickson Gracie, teaching at their Academy in Torrance California, and working with Royce on the manual for the Army Ranger Jiujitsu and
Submission fighting program. He worked with Ken Shamrock and Master
Gunnery Sergeant Shane Franklin on developing the United States Marine
Corps‘s Martial Art Program, MCMAP.
In 2006 Dana was the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame’s Jiu-Jitsu Instructor of the Year and 2008
Grappling Master of the Year.
"Zen in Motion" - Tai Chi Gong
Tai chi is based on Qigong (Chi Gong) and both arts have been practiced for centuries to improve breathing, posture, and relaxation.
Learn the basics of this ancient exercise system which combines breathing with relaxed yet focused attention to body movement. The gentle strengthening exercises improve balance flexibility, posture, and calm the central nervous system.
The slow, meditative movements help break the stress cycle to improve overall health and vitality.
Tai Chi Gong is easily adapted to various health conditions or injuries, and can be added to any repertoire of strategies to regain and maintain a healthy lifestyle. All are welcome. No previous experience needed.
Qi Gong is much more than merely a physical fitness experience. It is a mind, body, and spiritual practice that encompasses posture, movement, meditation, breathing, and some martial arts training. Traditionally, people who have practiced Qi Gong value it for its positive affects on their mental and physical health and their spirituality. In fact, some studies suggest that Qi Gong can benefit people who are suffering from a wide array of health conditions.
fights including The Shooto World Open, Total Fighting Alliance TFA,
World Kombat Championship, WKC, “Ring of Fire“, Kage Fighting, And
King of the Cage, Gladiator Challenge, and Ultimate World Black Belt
Challenge.
He was a UFC coach & California State Athletic Commissioner
For Mixed Martial Arts as a referee and judge under Cecil Peoples and
Gene LeBell. He is the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame “Mixed Martial
Arts Master Of The Year“.
Dana “Danger“ Charvet and Dan “the Beast“
Severn started the Danger Zone Training Centers. Dana is a consultant
and instructor for Bas Rutten on the “Inside MMA“ show.
Dana owned and ran training centers, Judo Dojos and UFC clubs for Uncle Gene in Los Angeles, Orange County, Big Bear, Texas, and Las Vegas. The most famous being the Danger Zone training center and fight club in Ventura California. A 12,000 square-foot full-service gym with an octagon and Sensei Benny the Jets boxing ring.
Some of the other courses completed and instructor certifications Dana holds are in subjects such as:
Wang, Chen, Wu, Sun, & Yang styles of Tai Chi Chuan.
Shaolin yoga.
Ayerveda.
Physiology.
Diet and nutrition.
Qi Gong Rooting of breath.
The Four Immortal Pillars.
The five Animal Qi Gong meditations.
The six healing breath meditations.
The Chinese style of lawhorn Chuan.
Syau Wan Chuan.
Northern Shaolin Sil Lum.
Northern Tong Long Chuan - Praying Mantis.
White lotus and white crane Qi Gung.
Shaolin Chi Kung Internal exercises.
Chinese Herbology & medicine.
Acupressure & Accu-jutsu.
Embryonic Breathing Qi Gong.
Ayervedic basics.
Applied Kinetics.
Sports medicine and Kinesiology just to name a few.
