Thank you to Mom’s, everywhere! We wouldn’t be here without you!! Had an enjoyable day with my wife and mother-in-law. We went to lunch and then walked around McKinley park and the rose garden. We too stopped into a very cool cactus and succulents garden show at the art center to review and purchase some very cool cacti for our …
Week 17 – Dirk Herfurth
Mid-April my company Sunrun had scheduled a three days offsite in Morro Bay. Not the worst location to spend a few days with colleagues that I have not seen in person since a few months. Fortunately, Covid restrictions were lowered in time to make this meeting possible. However, it was with a sad heart as well that I went there, …
Week 16 – Dirk Herfurth
Birthday week it was for me on April 4th. Now I am 44 years on this earth and I have to say – so far, so good. I went to the doctor’s recently to get a physical – the first one since Covid started. All good! The only wear and tear is on my left knee, or as I call …
Week 16 – David Brezinski
Challenges & Opportunities I honestly do not feel like writing a blog entry today. I do not feel like I have a lot to say or share. But, as to not fall behind on my black-belt requirements (well, except for sparring), here I am. This morning I ran a 5k to celebrate a friends birthday. It was very nice to …
Week 15 – Dirk Herfurth
Recap of the Sly Park camp week. One of the main educational purposes was to familiarize the kids with their backdoor nature. Besides learning about environmental threats like wild fires, drought or invasive species there was also a lot of focus on the experience of being part of this whole ecosystem. One exercise was sitting still for 15 min away …
Week 14 – Dirk Herfurth
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. …