Last Sunday my fund raiser project came to an end. As the final step, the Zen Martial Arts Striders walked around the Capitol with 20,000 other participants to raise awareness to breast cancer. Our Zen Martial Arts community raised a total of $3,880.09 to save lives and fund the future of breast cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. All in …
Week 34 – David Brezinski
My Black Belt Community Project – Stop Soldier Suicide! Dear Zen Martial Arts Family, For my black belt community project, I have selected something very deeply personal. Please let me explain. I served in the U.S. Army, 1st Special Operations Command, 112th Signal (AIRBORNE) in the mid 1980’s. I am a veteran and am grateful for the time I was …
Week 33 – David Brezinski
Zen Martial Arts Striders walk and Sunday sparring time! My Sunday got off to an early but very active start! This morning I ran from my home over to the state capital to join Dirk-san and his walking team to participate in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event! I know how much this means to …
Week 32 – David Brezinski
Saturday karate class and son’s soccer game After regular Saturday class today, I left a bit earlier than normal (I usually stay for the weapons class) so I could attend my son’s soccer game. I had not attended one this year before today as I have been so focused and busy working on my karate training that I’d not had …
Week 33 – Dirk Herfurth
Today I am sitting at the dojo as a parent. I am watching my son practicing the same art as me. That is the great thing of our Zen Martial Arts dojo. It is a place for the whole family. In this safe environment my son is learning self-defense and martial arts. In addition, he is getting life lessons that …
Week 32 – Dirk Herfurth
Last week we did not do our usual Sunday sparring. My son and me went to the Capitol Airshow instead. A whole day of watching airplanes, which is our annual thing here in Sacramento’s fall. In Germany airshows like this are not possible as the safety regulations are too strict. So, naturally, I especially enjoy the performances here in the …
Week 31 – David Brezinski
A slight cold, some other ailments but got to keep training! Last week my son came home with a bad cold (not COVID). He was down and out for 2 days. This morning my wife said she had a sore throat and was in bed with a fever. Yesterday (Saturday) I felt a bit of congestion setting in and after …
Week 30 – David Brezinski
Break at Huntington Lake! For the past ~15 years I have had a small group of friends come up to Huntington lake and our family cabin for a week of rest & relaxation in early fall (usually late Sept, early Oct). This last trip was excellent; was able to rest my mind and body, while feeding my soul with the …
Week 31 – Dirk Herfurth
Update on my Black Belt Project. As you know I am organizing a fundraiser and walk during the “Making Strides of Sacramento” breast cancer event on October, 16th. Currently, as I am writing this blog entry, the Zen Martial Arts Striders are on 6th position of the top donation teams out of 216 participating teams. That is awesome and I …
Week 30 – Dirk Herfurth
Sunday sparring time with David-san. Meeting time is 10AM sharp. We go a few rounds, practice some kata and theorize about world politics. The latter is done over some coffee after our morning routine, which is a nice relaxing habit we have established for the end of the week. By the way this is another strange U.S. thing I discovered …