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Zen Martial Arts Sacramento Volunteers at Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary

In Videos by Mike OliverLeave a Comment

Young Lucas, the captain of House Tenko organized this volunteer project for the dojo, allowing us to give back to the community by helping Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary in Sacramento. Every karate student at Zen Martial Arts trains in Isshinryu Karate, a form of karate from Okinawa that means “One Heart Way”. Students are required to demonstrate a compassionate heart …

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Why We Chose to Focus on Progress, Not Promotions, for Our Young Martial Artists

In Uncategorized by Mike Oliver1 Comment

I just read an article about an 8-year-old earning their 3rd degree karate black-belt. Let’s face it. In the eyes of the uninitiated public, the karate black-belt is a joke, and for good reason. For decades, martial arts school owners have gotten the advice of “industry consultants” that have prioritized profits over teaching. Some of these high profile consultants literally …

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The Meaning of Isshinryu

In Insights from Sensei by Mike OliverLeave a Comment

I was recently asked by a student to expound upon the name and meaning of our system of karate, Isshinryu. These thoughts reflect my own understanding of Isshinryu at this point in my short 24 years of training. They are in no way meant to be a universal definition of what Isshinryu means. The name of our system is Isshinryu …

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Sacramento Karate Student Organizes Kata-Than to Raise Money for Sacramento Food Bank

In Videos by Mike Oliver1 Comment

Young Emmet is a student at Zen Martial Arts in Sacramento where he practices Isshinryu (One-Heart Method) Karate. Putting compassion into practice is a large part of what students do at Zen Martial Arts. Here, Emmet explains his Kata-Thon project with funds raised going to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. You can particiape and donate directly by visiting: …

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Zen Martial Arts Helps During Sacramento Teacher Strike

In Videos by Mike OliverLeave a Comment

As schools are closed during the Sacramento teacher / staff strike, Zen Martial Arts and Elevate Youth Academy have opened their program up for young students that need a safe place to be and have fun while their parents are working! For more information about our After School Program, Summer Camps, and Martial Arts classes, visit our website at https://zenmartial.com

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Birth of the One Heart Challenge

In OneHeart Challenge by Mike OliverLeave a Comment

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” In 2011 and 2012 I had the honor of connecting with Tom Callos and a project that he started called the 100 and the Ultimate Black Belt Test. The idea (if I can be so presumptuous as to summarize it) was to bring 100 like-minded black-belts …