Julio
“Mutch” Usera Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt) Julio "Mutch" Usera has studied the art of JuKite Ju-Jitsu
since 1972 (42 years) under the leadership of Grand Master Claude Woodson,
10th Dan, Jukite JuJitsu from St. Louis, MO. With an 8th Degree Black
Belt (Hachidan) in the art of Jukite Jujitsu, he continues to study
under Grand Master Woodson and Grand Master George Alexander, 10th Dan,
Shornji Ryu JuJitsu and Shorin Ryu Karate. Usera's rank is also recognized
and certified by the:
United States JuJitsu Federation
United States Martial Arts Federation
International Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation
International Shorin Ryu and Kobudo Federation
American JuJitsu Association
American Federation of JuJitsu
Usera is also a Black Belt student in the art of Shorin Ryu Karate where
is studies in Rapid City under Grand Master George Alexander, 10th Dan.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Usera has always been involved in a
form of Martial arts or boxing training, studying Shudokan Karate. His
loyalty towards Jujitsu was influenced by his Sensei, Master Al Salazar,
9th Dan, Chief Instructor, during the early 70's. Usera superseded Master
Salazar in 1978 as the Chief Instructor of the Rapid City Jukite JuJitsu
School, presently called Dynamic Martial Arts. Usera has kept the attitude
and philosophy of Master Salazar’s teaching in always growing the art
and challenging the students to be the best they can.
Usera operated the Rapid City Jukite JuJitsu Dojo at the Rapid City
YMCA until 1999. During 1997, Usera changed his school name to Dynamic
Martial Arts. In 2002 he transferred his Dojo operations to his son,
Joshua Usera, 5th Dan. Usera has promoted over 80 students to Black
Belt status during his years as Chief Instructor. He currently has seven
active Black Belt chief instructors, operating schools in South Dakota,
Montana, and Minnesota. They include:
McKay’s JuJitsu, Wall, SD, Shaun and Lynn McKay, both 5th Dan
Horner Eclectic Karate, Minneapolis, MN, Allen Horner, 6th Dan
Dynamic Martial Arts, Rapid City, SD, Josh Usera, 5th Dan. (Shihan Usera
currently instructs Jujitsu at DMA in Rapid City)
Dynamic Martial Arts, Pierre, SD, John McVey, 3rd Dan
Dynamic Martial Arts, Livingston, Montana, Ben Herrington, 4th Dan
Dynamic Martial Arts, Sioux Falls, SD, Joe Herreman, 3rd Dan
San Su School of Martial Arts, Hot Springs, SD, Tony Kelly, 3rd Dan
Dynamic Martial Arts, Eureka, SD, Bob Duemig, 2nd Dan
Usera has also earned his Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Okinawa Matsumura
Shorin Ryu Karate under the instruction of Hanshi George Alexander,
10th Dan and Chairman of the International Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo
Federation. He plans to continue his growth in Shorin Ryu part of his
cross training development in Martial Arts.
Usera has always been a promoter for the art of JuJitsu as well as other
martial arts systems. He has promoted tournaments since 1975 which were
opened to all styles and systems. Tournaments were used for students
to their skills and create relationships with other clubs and martial
artists. Today, tournaments are directed by DMA clubs in Rapid City
and Sioux Falls. Shihan Usera has instructed JuJitsu to area Law Enforcement
and Women self-defense seminars. He is the director of the Master's
Series Martial Arts Seminar. He has conducted seminars in the art of
JuKite JuJitsu at various clubs and summer training camps. He has also
instructed tactical defense sessions to the Box Elder High School ROTC
Program, Rapid City Police Cadets, Box Elder Police Department and currently
instructs the Sturgis Law Enforcement in preparation for the Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally.
Usera is dedicated to teaching the martial arts with a positive approach
to mental and physical conditioning as well as a respect to other martial
arts systems. He places an emphasis in proper techniques and traditional
martial arts values, such as desire, respect, loyalty, honesty, sportsmanship,
community, and commitment to your family and God. These are all key
tools to mastering any system of the Martial Arts as well as having
a positive balance in life.
Hanshi Claude Woodson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1948. While growing
up in Chicago in the 50s Dr. Woodson lived on the outskirts of Chinatown.
Many of his friends were Oriental and practiced martial arts. Because
of the friendship he formed, he was given a favor within the Asian community
and among the families there, where he learned pure jujitsu as a way
of living, and not as a sport as it is looked upon by many today. While
in the military Sensei Woodson studied with Sensei Cliff Wilson and
was left with the awesome responsibility to continue the art of Jukite
Jujitsu.
Jukite Jujitsu is a primitive form of fighting which utilizes the entire
body as a weapon. Those who practice it and become skillful are very
mindful of their destructive capability and grief any inappropriate
or unintentional harm done to others. The teachings of Jukite Jujitsu
work to develop character and, to address physical confrontation as
a means to an end, if all other avenues of communication have failed
in order to preserve life.
A typical workout session for Sensei Woodson would last at least two
hours per day. This would include always going over the basics i.e.
stances, movements, falls breaking and defensive techniques. To protect
the privacy of the art Sensei Woodson and his Sensei worked out behind
closed doors. Classes were small in number and each student was given
preferential treatment during those days. Pictures were not considered
as something we wanted to do. During his training days, emphasis was
not on rank but rather on acquiring knowledge and skill in performance
of the technique in defending one’s self. This in and of itself necessitated
hard work and much physical endurance for conditioning and mental alertness.
The rank of Black Belt came early for sensei Woodson but more important
than this, was his ability to live up to the expectations of what was
taught.
While in the Air Force Claude Woodson was stationed at Ellsworth Air
Force Base in South Dakota serving in missile security. Dr. Woodson
taught Jukite Jujitsu at the Rapid City YMCA. The start of the school
in Rapid City required a lot of thought because Claude Woodson is black,
small in stature and he was not certain how he would be received by
a predominantly white population. Much of his time as an instructor
was spent demonstrating his physical ability and mental capabilities.
Subsequently, the word got around, and resulted in classes forming.
The classes were packed at least three times per week until sensei Woodson’s
left Rapid City. Grand Master Woodson recalls that each class was uniquely
different and a lot of fun. Dr. Woodson continued to travel back and
forth for further instruction in Jukite from Sensei Wilson.
He promoted three students to the rank of Shodan in Rapid City. The
students promoted were Al Salazar, Gary Herren, and Dennis Rush. When
he transferred from Ellsworth, Claude chose Al Salazar to lead the school
in Rapid City. Turning over the operation of his classes to Mr. Salazar
was very easy for Sensei Woodson he considers Mr. Salazar a very dedicated
person in his commitment to the art of Jukite Jujitsu. He is a man of
vision, drive, and capability, is sincere in heart in what he believes,
and strives to accomplish. Al Salazar maintained Contact with Grand
Master Woodson from the Jukite Jujitsu school in Rapid City and after
his move to Houston in 1978.
After his Air Force commitment, O’Sensei Woodson returned to St. Louis,
Missouri, where he continued training in Jujitsu establishing Jukite
Jujitsu schools in the St. Louis area. “Sin No Sin Dojo” was the name
of his first school in St. Louis. Robert Brooks earned his black belt
from Sensei Woodson during this time and is still teaching in Iowa City,
Iowa.
Sensei Woodson’s span of time spent learning the art of Jukite Jujitsu
and various other forms of Martial Arts is over 50 years. This includes
learning about and reflecting on the art form, integrating the arts
philosophy into a lifestyle, teaching to ensure the continuance of the
art form for the next generation and living an example to amplify an
enriched character serving others wherever possible.
As a result of studying Jukite Jujitsu, Sensei Woodson gained incredible
self-discipline, endurance, physical agility, knowledge of the body
and the mind, self-confidence and a greater appreciation for serving
others. Because of his experiences and opportunities Sensei Woodson
“would not do anything different” with regards to his martial arts training.
Fortunately, over the years I have not had to use my skills and abilities
to address any physical confrontation. However, it should be acknowledged
that when I since such a situation arising, I immediately remove myself
from the scene. Through the years, I have participated in and given
martial arts tournaments. They all have been fun and as well as very
informative. I believe we can learn a great deal about ourselves as
a result of tournament play.
Dr. Claude Woodson also holds the following academic degrees, Education-AA,
Anthropology/Sociology-BA, Human Relations/Corrections-MA, and Christian
Counseling-DCC.
Hanshi Woodson has worked in the Missouri Correction System for many
years and continues to counsel youth involved in the Department of Corrections.
He contracts his services to the state of Missouri to help address children
with emotional and psychological issues through the establishment of
a therapeutic home setting.
Dr. Woodson is married to Elaine his wife of 38 years, who is a school
district administrator. They have 3 daughters René, Tomiko, and Chanell.
The Woodson’s own a Minimart, and Claude acts as a consultant to correctional
facilities programs. Claude gets up at 5 a.m. to work on his sermons
on Sunday, gets up at 6 a.m. every morning, goes to bed at 1-2 a.m.,
reads a lot, and has written two books. Much of his time is spent addressing
the needs of his children and how they can be helped to lead lives that
are more productive.
“As of today, my working out is not as rigorous as it once was, I do
however keep physically fit and mentally alert.”
Sensei Woodson’s advice to students is:
“Always work hard for what you desire to be or to attain. Believe in
yourself and never be afraid of what it is that you’re able to find
out about yourself as a result of trying as opposed to not try.”
Sensei Woodson’s advice to adults:
“You are the best example for the children, for they are looking unto
you to find themselves. Let’s not disappoint them”
Sensei Woodson’s advice to parents:
“With children and parents striving together they can establish in one
another what each desires in order for each one to be made whole in
and of himself.”
Grandmaster Woodson’s advice to instructors:
“Give what is necessary to help transform lives for the better good,
whereby as people we can serve one another without the presence of fear
and with confidence in our hearts.”
O’Sensei Woodson’s comments relating to his rank of Judan. Sensei Woodson
would like it to be known that his rank is associated with his knowledge
of the art, his skill in the art, and years of dedicated teaching to
assist others in their character development. As for his greatest responsibility,
it is to making the art of Jukite Jujitsu very simplistic, to enable
the weakest practitioner to overcome his opponent. This in and of itself
requires years of dedicated service, to which there is no end with the
rank of Judan (10° Black Belt) I maintain that I am a student who still
practices the art of Jukite Jujitsu with all my heart and soul.
Reverend Woodson’s comment:
As an ordained minister, first and foremost my faith is in God. In so
much as I have always been in the position to change the physical body
and address things of the mind, God must address our spirit in order
that we may be one with him. God himself will lead and guide us into
his perfect will for our lives as only he can.
In 2007 Dr. Woodson accepted the invitation to come to Rapid City offered
by, the leadership of Rushmore Jukite Jujitsu. Hanshi Woodson gladly
honored this request and, has visited Rushmore Jukite Jujitsu conducting
classes visiting with former and current students, and spearheading
the drive to structure the leadership of the Jukite Jujitsu Federation,
and to preserve the traditions of the art for future generations.
Master
Mark BorresenMaster Mark Borresen, Yondan (4th Dan) has been involved in the art
of JuJitsu since the early 1990’s. He has obtained his Shodan, 1st Degree
Black Belt, in 1997 from instructors Master Julio “Mutch” Usera and
Master Rich Wells, Godan.
As an active student and assistant instructor for Master Usera and Master
Doug Langworthy he obtained his Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt, at the
YMCA dojo in Rapid City in 1999. In 2001 Dynamic Martial Arts (DMA)
was created by the Usera family and Mark became one of the head instructors
for DMA. He obtained his Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2003 by Master
Mutch Usera at the DMA Dojo.
In 2004 Sensei Josh Usera became Chief Instructor with Mark as the Head
Instructor for DMA to present. Mark received his Yondan, 4th Degree
Black Belt under the direction of Mutch Usera in 2007. His continued
passion and support for the art of Jukite JuJitsu has been a great asset
to the DMA organization.
Mark’s family is truly a martial arts’ family, with his talented son
Brent Borresen, 1st degree Black Belt in JuKite JuJitsu. His daughter,
Aubrey Oyler, also obtained her Black Belt and is now the mother of
Mark’s grandchildren. The martial arts continue to be a way of life
for Borresen family.
Jarrett Breuninger, Sandan, started class in the Rapid City dojo during
his junior year in high school at 16 years old in November 1991. He
immediately became interested in competition and has enjoyed considerable
success including being ranked 2nd in the nation by NASKA (North American
Sport Karate Association) in advanced heavy weight sparring early in
his 15 year career. Jarrett has continued to compete in tournaments,
locally and regionally.
Professionally, Jarrett is an accountant working as the Business Manager
for Knology Communications in Rapid City. He currently holds a 3rd degree
black belt in jujitsu and is an assistant instructor at Dynamic Martial
Arts.
Vern Haas, Nidan, is not your average martial artist. “Usually students
start at an earlier age but I am a great example of how it is never
too late to learn something new,” says Sensei Vern Haas. Vern, age 55,
started martial arts training while in his late forties. “I was a bit
apprehensive when I first started my training, but that feeling soon
disappeared after the first couple of advancements in belt levels.”
Martial arts has helped Vern stay in better shape and have a higher
level of flexibility than he would have had if he had not become a member
of Dynamic Martial Arts. He has been assisting as an instructor at Dynamic
Martial Arts for several years. “Vern has been an asset to DMA as a
senior black belt instructor,” says Sensei Usera, Chief Instructor at
DMA ‘He brings a level of experience that most young students have not
achieved.”
Vern hopes to participate in the art of Jukite JuJitsu for many years
to come. Vern currently assist Sensei Usera with the youth and teens
program on Friday nights and assist teaching adult class on Monday nights.
He also participates at assisting in the women self-defense seminars.
“If you’re interested in becoming a martial artist and aren’t sure if
it’s the right time, I hope my story will encourage you start something
new," Vern concluded.