This week one of my challenges for this year took place in form of chaperoning my 6 grade son’s week long field trip to Sly Park Education camp. To be honest, I was a little concerned of how it will be spending a full week in a cabin with 13 smelly 12 year olds. However, it turned out to be …
Week 15 – David Brezinski
Zen in the Martial Arts – By Joe Hyams Reading ‘Zen In The Martial Arts’ there are many things that wholly resonate with me and my experiences thus far as an aspiring black-belt candidate and martial artist that is very much a work in progress. Whether it be “Emptying my cup” or “Seizing the Moment” (by being present and living …
Week 14 – David Brezinski
Broken Hand…but resolute spirit! Sparring! A hook punch to Dirk-san’s right hip bone and one broken metacarpal. It happened so quickly just three weeks ago. “The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.” (The Code of Karate – Isshinryu, #6) About 1-minute into our 3rd or 4th two-minute sparring round, I saw the opening. Stepping right I hooked …
Sacramento Karate Student Organizes Kata-Than to Raise Money for Sacramento Food Bank
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: …
Week 13 – Dirk Herfurth
This Friday we had a special practice session at the dojo. Sensei was talking with us about the two first codes of Isshinryu. 1. A person’s heart is the same as Heaven and Earth. 2. Blood Circulating is Similar to the Sun and the Moon. These codes represent Master Shimabuku’s views on life and the practice of the martial arts. …
Week 13 – David Brezinski
Mind without mind – Mushin Over the years of my training and the special code of karate class I attended last Friday, Sensei Oliver has shared the meaning and its relevance to developing as a student of Isshinryu. While I can understand this conceptually, actually achieving this mental state of “no mind” is much more challenging. As with many things, …
Week 12 – David Brezinski
“Pain and pleasure like light and darkness, succeed each other.” – Lawrence Stone Sunday sparring and accepting the pain. It is what it is! As Ike-san, Dirk-san and myself took turns sparring, my final round for the day was an attempt on my part to get in a step-in right fist hook punch on Dirk-san. I saw the opening! Crunch…as …
Zen Martial Arts Helps During Sacramento Teacher Strike
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
Week 12 – Dirk Herfurth
This Saturday there was a welcome change to the routine. My son and I attended a sword casting class at the dojo. Throughout the morning we learned what different types of swords there were throughout antiquity. We decided to cast a xiphos, a double-edged one-handed Greek short sword. We built the mold with sand and then cast Aluminum in it. …
Week 11 – Dirk Herfurth
Quick update on my progress. I have done ¼ of needed quantity for both the pushups and the crunches. For Kata I am almost a third down. Over the last few weeks the mileage counter was low a little bit due to the weather and travel. However, now that the sun is coming out more bike rides are on the …