O Sensei 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.

O’Sensei 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. O’Sensei 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.

Hanshi Al Salazar