Daneen Whinna was trained, tested, and promoted by Grand Master/Soke John B. Burkhardt to a Senior Grade Shodan rank - 1st degree Black Belt in Slo Ryu Karate Do. Slo Ryu Karate Do is a blend of old style Chito Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Kempo Karate Do. This promotion is under the lineage of Commissioner Henry Slomanski.  She is the first woman in the world who was able to achieve this rank in our style. When she earned her brown belt  it was while performing moves from the right and left hand side executing them with proficiency and high standards, as the Grand Master watched her capabilities to be promoted.  She was required to perform in front of Grand Master Burkhardt. She had to be tested in all the moves of a black belt including forms and katas while in a full internal breathing exercise or ki. She has trained hard to take on any opponent and win.  Daneen has devoted countless hours and sustained numerous injuries while training with her all male counterparts using the full power breathing exercise or ki. She took blows to the throat along with full power punches and kicks to the solar plexus while testing.  She has trained in this form of martial arts to lame or kill someone. She has successfully passed all of the requirements for her Shodan -1st Degree Black Belt on October 1,2011 in Coudersport Pa, in front of Soke/Grand Master John B. Burkhardt.

Daneen during her work day, is the Genetics Research Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.  She also comes with a lot of  intelligence along with her  martial arts training. She now holds the title of Sensei in Slo Ryu Karate Do with her promotion. Daneen's Black Belt certificate came with the personal Gold Seal’s and signatures of the two highest ranked Slo Ryu Masters in the world affixed to it; that of the Grand Master and the Hanshi of this style. The other Sensei’s in Slo Ryu need one or both of the aforementioned Masters to approve or promote a student. Therefore, it is an honor in this style to have both Master's seals affixed to their certificate.  The testing was conducted on top of a beautiful, but hard mountain surface in upstate Pennsylvania over a 3 day period. Her gi was plenty dirty and stained to say the least. No padding or mats are used at this level of testing in Slo Ryu Karate Do

Sensei Whinna is training in Slo Ryu Karate Do. Her father, Hanshi Lester Whinna, is the  Senior Master Instructor in this style. He is the highest ranked belt in the world under the Henry Slomanski heritage.  There are several black belts under him as well. There are many women who have followed in their father’s path in studying the same style and training. Daneen’s martial art history is so unique because her lineage traces back to Commissioner Henry Slomanski and the harshness of this style. Her training is in the traditional style that was taught by Slomanski; it is hard, brutal, and demanding. This is not the training you see in the strip malls of most karate schools today. This is a traditional style going back 2500 years.  Her father’s training was under the legendary martial artist Grand Master/Soke John B. Burkhardt. Burkhardt was only one of 7 to become a Shihan Master Instructor under Henry Slomanski. Most men who attempted to train under Slomanski, Sauer, Burkhardt, etc. could not last due to its intensity. Burkhardt only issued seven black belts in 48 + years of teaching.  The style continues to be taught by the instructors the same way Burkhardt trained his students. This style requires withstanding substantial blows, kicks, and chops to the solar plexus and throat as well as other parts. This is full power karate; no gloves, head gear, or protection, just lame or kill. 

Whinna started her training in this style with a determination to achieve at least one senior grade belt. She was determined to try and take the pain, punishment and injuries she may sustain while being trained. She had heard the  stories of the men who were injured and to what extent the injuries were. She knew some went to the emergency room and it was not uncommon. There would be no mercy or favoritism for her, in fact, because of her father’s rank in this style she knew it would be even harder on her. She thought she understood what she about to embark on when she requested to train this way. She was mistaken she says.  It was going to be the same training as the male students. In today’s martial arts, women now compete in MMA. Thus, she decided that she wanted to tackle learning the true traditional way. She asked Soke/Grand Master Burkhardt for his blessing and approval so she could be trained the same as the men. After much consideration and thought by the Soke, it was with his approval that her training would begin with the men, and she was to be taught full power internal ki.  He told her what was expected of her,and what she should be able to withstand, and perform on this level to be successful. The Soke told her she would be held to that standard that he set forth. This was not an easy task, it was tougher than what Daneen expected. She had to dig deep into herself.  She needed to decide if she wanted to continue to be trained in this manner once she had a taste of training.  The training is the same across the board for everyone, including Daneen.  She continues to work hard daily even after withstanding the vomiting, bruises, broken bones and even lost time at work when she first started. Her fortitude was tested by men twice her size and muscular stature.  When she was ready to be tested her first time as a senior grade blue belt it was against the blows and kicks of these men. This is something no female in the world has received in this style.  Daneen weighs 123 lbs at 5’4” so in comparison to these men, this is a hard task to able to withstand the hits, punches kicks and to be thrown with their force.  Daneen’s background comes from being a national winning cheerleading coach.  She was a cheerleader as well in college. This martial art training is much different than what she ever prepared for in cheerleading. Cheerleading is a tough sport, look at the injury stats for the competitors. Daneen got hurt cheerleading and tore up both wrists etc., not like this martial art training she found out.  She was tested for her first belt in May 2008. This test included hours of preparation for testing, breaking boards, fully executing all techniques left handed, right handed and the knowledge of the history of this style. After watching Daneen test, her father and Hanshi promoted her to senior grade blue belt. The instructions were clear, nothing was to be withheld because he never wanted anyone to be able to question her achievements. Let alone, allow people to say that she was shown favoritism. He told the students and instructor, do not let her looks fool you or my relationship to her interfere with the testing, go hard on her.

Soke Burkhardt and Daneen Whinna are separated by 350 miles. Therefore, he was notified, by phone from Hanshi Whinna, when Daneen’s test was complete. Judy Burkhardt was the first one to congratulate Daneen on her accomplishments. Judy was and still is a major inspiration for Daneen throughout her training even today. Especially when she was tested for the first time. She encouraged Daneen to even start training. No one knew if this was the first or the last time she would advance on a senior grade level. This was up to Daneen and what she could endure mentally and physically. Daneen is the only woman who trains with the men at their level.  She  still confers with Judy Burkhardt about her training, her thoughts, and any other questions she has, including recipes. She has come to love, admire and respect Mrs.Burkhardt tremendously, and the two of them continue to speak several times a week.  Judy Burkhardt is always a positive voice for Daneen, full of words of wisdom, and encouragement. Daneen was grateful and proud of the accolades she received from all, but the praise she received from Judy Burkhardt was especially meaningful. It was especially momentous that this came from a woman who trained in this style and one who understands what it takes to earn the belts.  While Judy Burkhardt was training she had a 300 lb man fall on top of her while she was throwing him over her head. All his weight came down upon her on an over head throw. Her teeth were embedded into her lips and she was bloody. She immediately stood up, said lets do it again, the man and all of his 300 lbs went flying over her head this time. Daneen’s love and respect for her Soke/Grand Master goes without saying, she also speaks with him several times a week about the martial arts and her training. He keeps a watchful eye on her and has made Daneen his "personal project" and critiques her on any mistakes in her forms. 


In 1965, Soke/Grand Master John B. Burkhardt modified the style and created junior grade belts. The thought was that it would provide others, like women and children of an appropriate age, a way to train under this style without enduring its full intensity.  No woman or child was able to endure this type of training as stated on the website “Was Elvis Really a Black Belt” – Al Tracy.  It also provided young men an avenue for progression into the senior grade training. There was one notable woman who studied this style. She made tremendous advances in this style and thus was awarded a junior grade brown belt.  Judy Burkhardt is the highest ranked female junior grade in the world.  All techniques and falls were the same. There were very few women who were able to endure this training even at the junior grade level. John Burkhardt, as the Soke/ Grand Master  of Slo Ryu Karate Do, explained to Daneen the historical significance of this achievement and the history she has made under Henry Slomanski.  He told her he was proud of what she has accomplished under this style. Daneen is continuing her training.