Master Stephen Hernandez is the Founder and Head Master of the Yama Arashi Ryu School of Jujutsu and Aikijujutsu (Mountain Storm Style), located in Orange County, New York. He began his training at the age of 4 under his father Jose Hernandez Jr. (long time Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, Soo Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do, and Judo) in the Bronx, New York City. Later entering formalized schools of instruction he studied extensively in Shotokan Karate, Goju Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo and briefly in the Arts of Aikido. He also studied several weapons arts such as Kendo, Escrima, Iado and the Way of the Knife. However, he earned his highest Black Belt ranks in the graceful, combative art of Jujutsu and Aikijujutsu.

Master Hernandez received a Menkyo (6th Dan) Black Belt Teaching License under Master Miguel Ibarra founder/Head Master of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Yama Bushi Kai. Master Hernandez was the first recipient to receive such a License in the history that system. And had for many years assisted Shihan Ibarra in teaching seminars, throughout the USA and abroad.

He also received a 2nd Dan Black Belt under the late Soshi Shihan Katsumi Yonezawa, Kancho founder of Daito -Ryu Aikijujutsu Bokuyokan (the first Shihan to Spread Daito - Ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai to the USA as International representative). In 1996, Master Hernandez received Branch Authorization certifying him as Shibucho Branch Director of Middletown New York, issued directly from Soshi Shihan Yanazawa to teach and spread Daito-Ryu.

He participated in extensive training with Shihan Tim Tung, Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu Bokuyokan USA representative and has trained under numerous noted Martial arts Masters such as Inheritor H. Nakamura 10th Dan Takeda-Ryu Aikido (during his introductary visit to the USA in 1994) and Roland Moroteaux 7th Dan Takeda Ryu, France Representative during his sponsored visits to the USA.

Juniors Program
The discipline and leadership a child learns through the lessons of
Karate/Jujutsu help mold him or her into a person of great internal strength. "Confidence, Attitude and Integrity are the keys to success. Staying away from drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and bad influences is a must. These beliefs and the goal of achieving higher levels of learning are our top priorities. In the Orange County Budokans' Junior Classes
we build these skills daily to prepare America's youth for the future."

Master Stephen Hernandez

Master Hernandez is a retired New York City Police Academy Instructor and has trained many Police Officers and Security personnel in the use of self-defense. He was once a Body Guard for actor/comedian Whoopie Goldberg. He founded Yama Arashi Ryu Jujutsu and AikiJujutsu (Mountain Storm Style) in 1994. He continues to spread and teach the Mountain Storm Style as a pioneering system of Jujutsu and AikiJujutsu in the Orange County area of New York.